Page 35 of Freeze Frame

“So you’ve heard the song?”

Josh shook his head. “I’m not sure, actually.” He looked at me. Vulnerable. Hopeful. “We could listen to it together?”

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, but before I could bring the playlist up, Josh’s phone vibrated.

“Let me just turn this…” He paused when he saw the screen. “Actually, I have to get this.”

“Hello?” He stood up off the couch looking pale and shaky. “This is he.”

He went dead quiet. I don’t think he even breathed. And then he was moving around the room. “How is she?” Another pause. “But she’s okay?” Another pause and Josh let out a stuttering breath, clinging to the counter for support. “I’ll be there soon. Tell her I’m on my way.”

He hung up the phone and stared at it in disbelief, then he looked up at me. “I have to go. Uh… my friend Hannah, there was an incident tonight. She’s okay, but she’s in the hospital. Shit.” He looked down at the fuzzy dog that was pacing softly, toenails clicking on the kitchen floor. “Nitro.”

“I’ll take him home with me. He can hang out with Wally and me, and you can be there for your friend. He’ll be in good hands.”

“Fuck. Sorry. You don’t mind? Are you sure? I can call Violet and ask her to take him.”

I stood from the couch and closed the gap between us in two strides. I pulled Josh into my arms and hugged him tight like I could fix things if I squeezed with just the right amount of pressure.

“Wally loves Nitro. He’ll be fine with us for as long as you need to be with your friend. Is she going to be okay?”

Josh nodded. “She’ll be okay. But she hates hospitals and…”

“Go. I’ve got Nitro.” I tipped Josh’s chin up and brushed a kiss against his lips. “You have my number. If you and your friend need anything, I want you to call me. Okay?”

“Okay.” Josh pulled away, bent and gave Nitro a quick pet. “Be good. No barking.”

He cleared his throat, then straightened up, patting his pockets for his keys and his phone. “I’ll update you as soon as I can.”

“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be fine with the dogs. Go be with your friend.” I walked with Josh to the door, where we both put our shoes on, and then he clipped a leash to Nitro’s collar.

“I feel so bad. I finally get to see you and you end up cleaning my apartment then taking care of my dog. We didn’t even get to listen to the playlist.”

On the elevator ride down to the first floor, Josh took advantage of the empty elevator and leaned against me, resting his head against my chest. I wound an arm over his shoulders.

“Sometimes life doesn’t happen the way we expect it to, but that doesn’t mean those things are bad. I liked the time we did get to spend together today. I just hope your friend will be okay.” I didn’t ask what happened to her; it wasn’t my place. If Josh wanted me to know, he’d tell me.

“They say she’ll be fine. Which is good. I think she just needs some moral support more than anything. I’ll try not to be too long.”

“You’ll be as long as you need to be.” The elevator doors slid open, and I followed Josh through the lobby to the parking lot. I walked him to his car and stole another kiss before he got in. “You know where to find us when you’re done.”

“Thanks for this.” He seemed reluctant to get in his car and drive away, so I scooped Nitro up off the ground.

“Come on, kid, let’s go see what your best friend is up to. Maybe the two of you can find a squirrel in the back yard to harass. Maybe chase some crows.” I flicked my gaze back to Josh. “Get going, Josh.”

He unlocked his car and climbed in, then rolled the window down. “David?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for today. For all of it.” Josh opened his mouth like he might want to say something else, then he shut it again and after a short nod, he started the engine and backed out of his parking space.

I set Nitro back on the ground and took the scenic route back to my car so he could enjoy the fresh air and make use of the grass if need be.

“Well, today didn’t go as planned, now did it, Nitro?” I’d hoped to be halfway naked with Josh by now, but some things were more important.

Later, I sent him some pictures of the dogs to keep his spirits up and to set his mind at ease. Then I resigned myself to having a far different evening than I’d hoped for.

EIGHTEEN