Page 82 of Avery's Hero

I remember that very same emotion. “Ironic. I felt the same about him not talking to me when you told me aboutBelle. I met her, by the way. The three of us had ice cream and a good talk. She’s totally into him.”

She pushes her hair back. “Good, because he’s really into her. He told me you guys talked about the bullies. It was a big weight off his shoulders.”

“Sounds like he’s pretty good at opening up to you.”

Shaking her head, she glances toward the truck again and says, “I guess I just know how to listen. I’m not sure why, but for some reason, guys I worked with used to talk to me too.”

“Because you’re nice. You’re also not judgemental.”

“I also don’t usually let my emotions get involved in whatever problem they have,” she adds.

My voice has taken a rough tone when I say, “Yep, except with me. Which I love, by the way, that you cared enough to charge in the hospital and hug me like you were afraid you’d never see me again. You don’t know what that does to a man.”

She looks up at me. The shadow that I make moves across her face as she shifts on her feet. Her eyes filled with worry. “I’m kind of a mess here right now, Brock. As disastrous as all of this could be for both of us, I can’t seem to walk away.”

When she shifts again, the light above us catches in the moisture gathering on her lashes. That fist around my heart tightens more.

“Good, because I’d just come to hunt you down.”

“This time,” she says with a breathy half-laugh.

“Damn right this time, and any time from here on out, so don’t even think about running. I’m impossible to shake when I set my mind on something.”

She pinches my ribs. “Come on. Let’s go before you scare me by professing your undying love and devotion.”

I loop my arm around her neck and tuck her under my good arm, “I just did, sweetheart.”

She plugs her ears. “La, la, la. I’m not listening. I’ve dealt with too much today to hear any such madness.”

I’ll just wait till she’s beneath me, and I’ve got her hands pinned before I tell her again.

Avery hands me her keys as we approach her truck. “You’ll have to drive, I’ll get in the back. Neither you nor Lincoln will fit back there.”

“Good thing you’re pocket-sized,” I say, grinning at her.

When I open the driver’s door, Linc quickly sits up.

He looks between me and Avery as if he’s taking the temperature of the mood.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I just fell asleep.” His eyes go to the bulky bandage under my torn shirt. “Are you gonna be okay?”

“Just fine. I won’t even have to take light duty.”

Avery makes a disbelieving sound. “Let me see those release orders.”

“Later,” I grumble and flip the seat up so she can climb in the back of the extended cab. Hoisting her up, I help her in.

I suddenly get an idea. One that I hope will help. I know it’s easier for people to get to know each other over food. “What do you guys say we get some greasy late night diner food? I’m starving.”

Linc’s brows are knotted together when he looks at me. “As long as we don’t talk about anything serious, Dad. I’m shot.”

“Ditto!” Avery says from the backseat.

“Alright. You guys win. Pancakes and useless conversation coming up.”

I close the door and start the truck. On the inside, I’msmiling. For a few more hours, I can pretend that everything is okay, even though this ride might be in for some serious turbulence.