Page 90 of Tanner

“Yeah.”

“Then go.”

Miles held his gaze. “No.”

There was no point softening it. He knew Tanner didn’t need soft right then. He needed the truth.

A knock sounded at the front door and Tanner froze. His eyes came off the glass and his eyes went straight to the door.

“Who’s that?” he asked.

Miles stood slowly. “TJ.”

Tanner’s head snapped up. “You called him.”

“I texted him from the bus station.”

The knock came again and Tanner pushed back from the table and got to his feet. “I’m not doing this tonight.”

Miles stayed where he was. “You’re not.”

“Then send him away.”

“I will if that’s what you want.” Tanner stared at him. Miles kept his tone even. “He’s on his own. He’s not here in uniform. He’s not here to start anything in your kitchen.”

From the other side of the door, TJ spoke. “Tanner. It’s me. I’m on my own. I’m not here to question you. If you want me to go, I’ll go.”

Tanner rubbed a hand over his face and looked toward the stairs.

“Your house. Your call.”

Tanner took a breath that didn’t do much to steady him. “Open it.”

Miles nodded once, walked to the door, and unlocked it. TJ stood on the porch in jeans and a dark jacket. His eyes went past Miles to Tanner in the kitchen doorway.

TJ stepped inside only after Tanner failed to tell him not to. Even then, he stayed by the door.

“Tanner.”

Tanner didn’t answer.

TJ’s gaze flicked once toward the stairs, then back. “Savannah asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

“I’m not here to interrogate you,” he said. “I’m not here to make tonight worse. I wanted to see for myself that you were both alright, and I wanted you to hear this from me now.” He paused. “We’re going to do everything we can to keep Savannah with you.”

Tanner’s face hardened. “That’s easy to say.”

TJ nodded. “It is, but I’m still going to help.”

“Sit down.” Miles said quietly.

TJ took the chair nearest the door. Tanner stayed where he was for another second, then came back to the table and sat. He picked the glass up again, then put it back down without drinking.

Miles stayed on his feet and leaned against the counter.