Page 37 of Freeze Frame

“I mean, it would be more comfortable for you in the long run, if you could go to a hospital without feeling like this.” I stepped closer and slipped my arm around her waist. She was rigid at first, then draped her arm around me.

“Therapy? To what? Deal with my trauma?” Hannah scoffed, but she wasn’t serious about her disdain.

“Hannah?” An unfamiliar voice called.

Next to me, she stiffened, then she turned slowly bringing us face to face with someone who looked like they’d been through it today too. Their hair was a mess, like they’d been pulling at it, trying to yank it out maybe. Their lower lip looked like hamburger because they’d clearly been chewing on it.

“I told you that I was fine.” Hannah took a step back when the person reached for her.

“Sorry, but who the hell are you?” I asked, putting myself between Hannah and the mystery person.

“I’m Robin,” he said to me, then looked at Hannah, who towered over my shoulder.

I might not look like much of a bodyguard, but I wasn’t about to let someone near my friend. I might as well have not existed, though, for the way they looked at Hannah. “I’m sorry. I—I checked the whole rigging system beforehand. Everything looked fine. I—” Robin clamped his mouth shut and his eyes got comically wide.

“Relax. Josh knows all about my extracurriculars."

I spun and faced Hannah. “This is a sex injury?”

“Don’t be so dramatic. We hadn’t got to that part yet. Robin had me tied up. He checked the ropes, the rigging, the whole system before we started, like always. He suspended me and things were fine, but then suddenly something slipped or snapped or something, and I hit the floor.”

“I’m so sorry.” Robin’s voice cracked. And then he did look at me. “I brought her straight here even though she didn’t want to come, but she refused to let me go in with her.”

“But you let her go in alone anyway?” I was about to take Hannah by the good arm and march her away when he let out a deflated, defeated sigh.

“I would have, but it looked like it would hurt her even more to have me in there, and I didn’t want to be the cause of more pain. She made me promise not to go inside, so I’ve been sitting in my truck the whole time. Waiting.” Robin raked a hand through his hair.

I turned to Hannah and asked her a million questions with one look.Was this guy okay? Did she want me to whisk her away? Should I call the cops?Hannah let out a sigh.

“You should go back to your friend, Josh. Robin and I have things to talk about.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“Are you sure?” I asked, still clinging to her, willing to fight for her or flee with her. Whatever she needed.

“I’m sure. But thank you for coming down. I’m sorry I disturbed your night. I didn’t know he’d still be here when I had them call you.”

“Never apologize for needing me. I will always come when you need me.” I was loath to leave her when she still looked pale and stricken, but she nodded.

“I’m sorry I made you come down here just so I could blow you off.”

“I’m sorry you were hurt, but I’m not sorry you wanted me to be there for you. Now get out of here and make sure he buys you ice cream. The good kind.” I turned to face him. “Her favorite is cookie dough ice cream or straight chocolate. She can never decide, so buy one of each.”

Robin’s mouth turned up into a smile. “Your friend is in good hands.”

I had my doubts about that, but Hannah seemed to like him. I’d have to pump her for more information about him later, but for now I would let her off the hook. With the rest of my night suddenly freed up, I could go back to David’s, and we could talk…or not talk. Not talking sounded like a great option.

Kissing Hannah on the cheek, I watched as she let herself be bundled up close to Robin’s side. Even with the disaster, she still trusted him enough to be alone with him and let him take her home. They clearly had some stuff to work through, which reminded me of my own situation.

Other people might have been annoyed at the interruption, but I was thankful for the break. It gave me some space to think about David and what he’d said about watching me. And that’s why I went home first and packed a bag before driving over to his place.

The rain was just starting when I pulled into his driveway, and he must have been watching for me because the door opened as I walked up the steps, right as the sky started to openup. I hurried into the house, bag in hand. David’s gaze flicked down to it briefly, but then he was sweeping me close, kissing me with a sort of tenderness that made my chest ache.

“How’s your friend?”

“Broken collarbone. She’ll be fine; she just hates hospitals. It’s a long story.” I toed out of my shoes and bent to pet Nitro and Wally. The two of them had trotted into the room as I’d arrived.

“Did you miss me?” I asked Nitro. I took a breath to steady myself then stood and stepped back into David’s bubble. My overnight bag brushed against him.

“What’s in the bag, Josh?” David’s pupils were huge black pools of lust.