“No. Elio won’t give him the time of day, and trust me, that kid is sharp as fuck with his words. He makes grown adults cry when he wants to.” Rune smiles proudly, and I suddenly want to meet this kid.
“You know, if you ever want to, like…tell the guys? You could bring Elio by. They’ll all love him.”
Rune’s cheeks darken, and he shrugs. “Yeah. I know they will. But, uh…well…it’s probably best if I don’t.”
As much as I want to know why he thinks that, it’s not my place to ask. Maybe if he feels safe enough later, he’ll tell one of us. But at the very least, I can be patient for now. It seems like he could use that in his life.
“If you ever need anything, you know you can call me.”
He smiles at me. “I know.”
I suck in a breath to say something else, but I don’t get the chance. Camilo appears in the doorway and narrows his eyes at me. “There are two trucks and three ambulances with shit that needs to be scrubbed. I am not paying you to sit on your ass.”
I blink at him, and even Rune looks a little startled by his tone.
After a second, Camilo’s shoulders sag. “I’m not trying to be a dick.”
He is being one, but I’m not going to judge him. Everyone has off days, and Camilo is better at hiding them than most people. “There’s chicken and dumplings in the fridge,” I say as I stand up and head toward him. My shoulder clips him as I pass, and I pause, reaching for the back of his neck to give him a gentle squeeze. “And no one’s upstairs in any of the nap bunks.”
Camilo stares for a second, then lets out a puff of air and nods. “Thank you.”
“We have your back,” I remind him, because maybe even he needs to be told every now and again that he’s not alone in whatever he’s going through.
Camilo grabs my wrist and squeezes it as he pulls my hand from his neck. “I’m cutting your shift early. Easton told me they’re discharging his brother at five, and I know he’s staying with you.”
I don’t think Camilo understands what that means to me, but that’s okay. All that matters is I’ll be free for Leo. However he wants me.
Leo’s not ready at five.
Easton’s back at the station by four thirty, but he grabs me before I can head out. “They’re doing another scan, I think. He had a couple moments today that the nurse was worried about—some absent seizures or something. They just want to double-check, but if it’s good, he’ll be done at seven.”
I hate that, but it also means I have two extra hours to take care of shit at home. “I’m gonna run to the house and then maybe the grocery store. If you talk to Leo before I do, let him know I’ll be at the hospital before seven.”
Easton shakes his head. “Stay home.”
“What?”
“You look exhausted, man. Cam will give me time to get Leo and drive him over. I want you to go home and grab a nap.”
I want to argue. I want to be there when Leo’s released, but Easton has a point—I am tired. There aren’t words for this level of exhaustion. I haven’t slept for shit since the fire, and I’m not sure it’ll be better after he’s at my place.
It also doesn’t help that I’m still not set up for him.
I have the wheelchair Easton borrowed from one of Camilo’s friends, which is better than the clunky one at the hospital they were having him practice in, and I have done some cleaning,but I still need to refresh my bedding and make sure he’ll be comfortable with me.
I want to make it good for him, damn it.
No, I want to make it amazing so he never wants to leave.
“Thanks, man,” I say with a small smile.
Easton nods and pulls me close, knocking his forehead into mine for a second. “You have to take care of yourself too.”
I try for a smile, but by the look on his face, I fail.
And then my phone begins to ring. My stomach sinks as I reach for the door handle to my truck, and I’m not surprised to find my mom’s name on the screen. It’s like she somehow fucking knows.
“Hey. I’m a little busy right now, so?—”
