I snickered. “I work a lot of overtime during the tax season. Big businesses like this one are selfish with deadlines and they don’t care about who they have to overwork in order to get things done on their own timeline. I was here late for work, I dropped my pen, and I cracked my damn chin against my desk at nine at night.”
The man chuckled. “Well, make sure your boss knows to give you some time off. I don’t know much about big businesses, but I know what it means to be a decent human being. Make sure to advocate for yourself.”
I blushed at his words of encouragement. “Thanks.”
Then, JoJo cleared his throat. “Becca, would you like me to escort you back inside?”
I peered around the paramedic. “I would like that, thank you.”
His stare rooted me to my spot. “How’s your tongue?”
I swallowed hard. “It’s good. At least, the paramedic says it looks okay.”
The man nodded. “Yep. No signs of infection. The stitches are holding nicely. She just needs to follow up with her doctor at the appropriate time.”
JoJo clicked his tongue. “I’ll see to it that she gets proper care.”
The paramedic patted his shoulder. “Good for you for clocking that man, too. I would’ve done the same thing had I been in your position.”
JoJo didn’t take his eyes off me. “Nice to know there are still decent men out there.”
The paramedic smiled. “You two take care. And don’t hesitate to call us if you guys need anything in the future.”
While I couldn’t believe I had been rescued by my bully yet again, there was something that rushed behind his eyes that took me by surprise. As the police and the ambulance and the fire trucks fled from the parking garage, Tommy and I stood there. Staring each other down until we were the only two in the underground concrete jungle once more.
And as he took a step toward me, his eyes dropped to my mouth. “When were you going to tell me?”
I shrugged. “Never?”
His eye twitched. “You have stitches.”
“I do.”
“From…”
He can’t even say it.“Yes, from that.”
His face reddened as he slipped his hands into his pockets. “Take the rest of the day off. Full pay. Just… go take care of yourself.”
And as he turned on his feet to make his way for the elevator, I did the only thing I knew to do.
“Mr. Ryker?”
He jammed his hand into the elevator button. “What?”
I gripped my purse in front of me. “Thank you for saving me. Again.”
He peered over his shoulder. “Just get home safely. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then, he stepped into the elevator before it swallowed him whole.
While I tried to stuff down the fluttery feeling in my gut that he had left in his wake.
He could’ve been so much more had my sister not hurt him.
19
Rebecca
