A blast of cold wind nearly knocked James over but there was an arm around his lower back. That was a good arm. Helpful.
“Another step. Come on. You can do it,” Jacob said.
James thought he could do anything. Wasn’t that why he’d joined the Surf City Fire Department? Michael and Scott didn’t need him anymore. His brothers were both thriving in their new environments. Helping the residents of his adopted city seemed like such a good idea. James hadn’t helped anyone that night.
“Here we are. Do you have your keys?” Jacob questioned.
“Keys,” James repeated.
“Yes. I need the keys to open the door,” Jacob said.
“Okay.” That was smart. Oh! A kiss to his temple? Did Jacob really do that?
“I’m going to reach into your pocket to check,” Jacob said.
James stood still as Jacob reached into his front right pocket. It was sort of weird to have someone else’s hand in his pocket. The uniform pants he wore had deep pockets.
“Got them,” Jacob said quietly.
Got what? Why were they standing outside? It was cold.
The door opened. Was it magic? James wished he still believed in magic. The old books that Michael used to read to them had been filled with heroes and princes that used magic to save the world. Like the cape he had been wearing earlier. That had totally made him feel like he was a superhero.
“Let me get the light,” Jacob said.
James blinked as brightness nearly blinded him.
“You should really leave a light on when you are working late. It’s not safe to come home to a completely dark house,” Jacob told him.
“I wouldn’t have to worry about it if I was a superhero,” James shared.
“Even superheroes need light,” Jacob told him.
James pressed his lips together. That wasn’t true. Some superheroes must be able to see in the dark. That would be an awesome power.
“Let’s sit on the couch,” Jacob suggested as he towed James forward.
With his hand still wrapped in the front of Jacob’s shirt, James didn’t have to worry about losing his hold on Jacob.
“Here we are.” Jacob sat in the corner of the worn gray couch and pulled James down with him.
He was probably sitting too close. The fog was lifting from his brain. James knew having his thigh pressed to Jacob’s was a bad idea. He just couldn’t remember why.
“Do you need some water? Food?” Jacob asked.
James slammed his free hand on Jacob’s knee. His body was twisted since he still fisted the cotton covering Jacob’s chest and now dug his fingers into Jacob’s knee. “Don’t leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Jacob promised.
Such a sweet promise. James nodded as he closed his eyes. Immediately the scene that they’d been called to earlier flashed in his mind. James popped his eyes back open, looking around frantically.
“Shh,” Jacob whispered. “You’re okay. Everything is okay.”
The apartment. James was inside his apartment. Sitting on the couch that he’d just spent a week sleeping on. Home. Safe. He repeated the words silently.
“That’s right. Relax into me.”
James didn’t fight Jacob’s urging. Laying his cheek on Jacob’s shoulder was natural. Comfortable.
