“No, I’m good. I’m just tired.”
My brows pull together. “Not sleeping well at Hutch’s?”
She wiggles her hand back and forth. “So-so. Late hours at the bar, too. And early mornings, trying to find an apartment.”
“No luck?”
“Some luck, but not enough. It doesn’t help that I don’t really know what I’m looking for, you know? Or that I don’t know my way around the city just yet. Making a decision is hard when you’re unfamiliar with the area. People will tell you whatever you want to hear to make a quick buck.”
I want to offer to help her, but I have a feeling she’s going to say no anyway. This is something Nessa needs to do on her own, something she needs to prove to herself. I respect that about her. I know she’s been through a lot in the last year or so, and seeing her try to be so strong is admirable.
The same silence as before settles between us, and I have no idea how long we sit here. I don’t bother checking the clock. I’m too busy watching her. Even when she slips down farther into the chair, closing her eyes, I still watch. Her breathing changes quickly, telling me she’s already fast asleep. Guess she wasn’t kidding about that lack of sleep. It worries me, seeing as we could still have a long night ahead of us until the baby comes.
“Locke.” I jump at my name, finally dragging my eyes away from Nessa to see Hutch staring at me with surprise. “I didn’t realize you were still here.”
“Didn’t know if you needed anything,” I explain, rising to my feet as Nessa begins to stir beside me. “Everything okay?”
Hutch nods. “Good so far. She’s dilated to a four, so it’s going to take some time still. Her heart rate is a bit low right now, so they’re monitoring it.”
“So, no baby yet?” Nessa asks, her voice groggy, and I hate how adorable I find it.
“Not yet. The nurse said we could be here for several more hours.”
“Do you want me to stay?” I ask.
“While I appreciate that so much, I’m okay.” He looks at Nessa. “That goes for you, too. No need for you to stay. I appreciate you bringing her in.”
“Oh my gosh, of course. But are you sure you don’t want us here?”
“I’m sure. I promise. Besides, I know you haven’t been getting a lot of sleep lately, so there’s no reason for you to lose even more just sitting around here.”
Nessa stares at her brother like she’s shocked he’s even noticed.
“What?” Hutch shrugs. “I notice things.”
She smiles softly. “Well, if you’re sure…”
“I’m sure.” My captain looks at me. “Think you could give Nessa a lift home? Figured I’d keep the car for whenever it’s time to get out of here.”
“Oh, no. That won’t be necessary. I can grab an Uber,” she says, pulling her phone from her purse.
Like hell she will.
But I can’t say that. That would be a huge red flag. It would raise so many questions, ones I don’t exactly have answers for right now.
“Uh, no. Locke will take you.”
“Reed, no, I?—”
“It’s not a big deal.” I cut her off, not just because I don’t want her in the back of some stranger’s car, but because I’m not ready to say goodbye to her yet.
She stares at me, mouth agape, and I have to look away before I do something stupid like reach over and touch her.
“See?” Hutch says pointedly to his sister, then turns to me. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it more than you know. You’re a good friend, Whitlocke.”
A good friend.
It’s three simple words, but they still sit so heavy in my gut. A good friend wouldn’t have thought about making out with his friend’s sister just twenty minutes ago. A good friend wouldn’t want to kiss a friend’s sister in a darkened hallway. And a good friend certainly wouldn’t sleep with the sister and lie about it.
