“I agree,” Race drew her attention back to him.“I think it would be an excellent idea if you went home with Jed.You’ve both had a pretty good scare tonight.I don’t think Tinker will be back tonight, but there’s no guarantee.If you don’t want to go to Jed’s, he or one of the other brothers could stay here with you and your nephew.”
Her eyes drifted down the hall toward Oliver’s room.She closed her eyes and exhaled heavily.Jed did not doubt that if it were just her, she’d tough it out and stay in her apartment.But with Oliver, she wouldn’t take any chances with his safety.She’d been more shaken up than she was letting on, and he admired her strength.
“Okay.Let me pack a bag.”
As she passed Darren, he reached out and caught her by the arm.They exchanged a few words before she nodded her head and disappeared down the hall to gather their things.
Race got to his feet as she left the room."The rest of us, we’re going to head to the clubhouse and see if we get lucky and catch Tinker there.”
Trick and Oliver came out of his room, the little guy carrying his favorite car.Jed dropped into a squat, making himself eye level to the little boy, one side of his mouth kicking up.“Were you showing Trick your cars?”
“Yes.I showed him the one just like yours.He liked it.”Oliver was acting a little nervous.As more and more of the brothers said their goodbyes, the more and more nervous he seemed to get.
“Are you okay, buddy?”He tugged on his pajama top to bring his gaze up.
“Yes.”
Jed wasn’t so sure.What they’d been through would have been terrifying for an adult.He couldn’t imagine how scared Oliver had been.
“Okay.I have our bag packed, Oliver’s backpack, and his coat.”She stopped and finished zipping the backpack.“Do you want to grab a few toys to take with you to Jed’s, honey?”
Oliver’s eyes shot to his.“Are we going home with you?”He sounded so hopeful.
“Yeah, buddy.You guys are coming home with me.”Jed tipped his head back to check on Sadie to find her watching them.“Are you good?”
“Yes.I’m good.We should be going so he can get some sleep.He has school in the morning.”She helped Oliver into his coat, then shrugged into hers.
“Hang on!I gotta get something!”He ran off toward his room, coming back with his teddy bear.“Can’t forget this!”
“Okay.Let’s go.”Jed grabbed her bag and slung it over his shoulder, then bent down to pick up Oliver to carry him down the stairs.He led the way outside, then waited for her to lock up.
He started down the stairs, checking their surroundings as he went.Maverick and Dagger were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, making sure they made it safely to his truck.Once he had them all buckled in, he set off toward home.He opened the garage as he pulled in the drive, parking his car next to his bike.He shut the car off, then went around to the passenger door, where he found Oliver fighting to keep his eyes open.Unfastening his seatbelt, he hoped he would go right back out once they got him inside and into bed.He hoisted him up so his head rested on Jed’s shoulder with his arms dangling limply at his sides.With his big hand settled on his back, he entered through the kitchen, flipped on the lights, and waited for Sadie to catch up.“Follow me.”
He led the way down the hall and to the first door on the right.He went straight to the bed, flipping the lamp on next to the bed.Sadie quickly moved to flip the covers back so Jed could lay Oliver down.She pulled his shoes off, settled the teddy bear next to his head, and pulled the covers up.She leaned down, kissed his head, and whispered, “Night, buddy.”
He waited for her at the door as she turned out the light.He reached for her hand and led her down the hall to the last door on the left.He pulled her forward until he flipped the lamp on.“The bathroom’s through there if you need to use it.”He pointed to her left.
“So, where am I sleeping?”Why was she acting nervous?
“Where do you think?With me.”He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor.
“Well, I didn’t want to assume anything.”She fidgeted with her coat zipper.“I mean, I can sleep with Oliver.”She hitched a thumb over her shoulder.
“No.You’re not sleeping with Oliver.You’re sleeping with me.Now get undressed and climb into bed.I’m wiped, and I’m sure you are, too.And you said something about him having school in the morning.”He started working on the snap and zipper of his jeans.
She finally shrugged her coat off and disappeared into the bathroom.While she was in there, he finished undressing and got into bed.She shut off the bathroom light and climbed into bed next to him.He raised his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her into his side.“Jeez, woman.You're freezing.”
“I know, and you feel like a furnace.”She sighed happily as she shoved her ice-cold feet beneath his legs to warm up.
“You’re lucky you’re cute, or I wouldn’t let you steal all my heat.”She giggled as he intended.He kissed the top of her head and told her goodnight.Just when he thought she was asleep and he was drifting off, she whispered, “I really am sorry I tased your nuts.”
* * *
Sadie
She came awake slowly, her brain taking a minute to come online.Taking in her surroundings, she recognized Jed’s room from last night.The walls were painted in a light gray with white trim.His furniture was a light oak color, and his bedding was navy blue with thin white lines forming squares.The weight of a heavy arm lying wrapped around her waist reminded her that she wasn’t alone in this bed.The heat from his chest against her back caused a small grin to dance across her lips.For just a sliver of a second, she let her guard down and let herself imagine what it would be like to wake up like this every morning.
When Oliver was younger, she didn’t have the time or the energy to pursue anything serious with anyone.All her love and time was devoted to her nephew.Not that what she and Jed was doing was anything serious.She wouldn’t presume to think that they were given his history with women.She wasn’t fooling herself into thinking this was anything more than them having fun while it lasted.
