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26
TONY
“Hey,babygirl.”Ianswered Nicky’s call on the first ring. “How was work? You’re up early.”
“Yeah, weird dreams,” she croaked.
My brow furrowed. She sounded off. “Nicky, are you all right?”
“Yeah, I just…”
She fell silent, and tension snapped my shoulders tight.
“Nicky, talk to me.”
“I shouldn’t have called. I’m sorry. You’re probably busy. Did I wake you?”
I set aside my work, my focus entirely on the woman at the other end of the line. “If you need to talk, I’m here. I don’t care what time it is or what I’m doing. What do you need?”
Her sounds were muffled, but I caught the quiet hitch of breath.
“Do you want me to come over?” I asked.
“I don’t want tobotheryou.”
“Baby girl, you’re not a bother. Give me a few minutes to get organized, and I’ll be on my way.”
I heard her soft whine as if it was filtered through a pillow. My instincts roared to the surface with an insistent knowing that she wasmineand that she needed me. “Nicky, I’m going to give you a task, okay? Can you get up and make yourself a cup of tea? Get Spud a treat too. And then sit yourself on the couch until I get there.”
“Okay,” she said quietly.
I gathered up my things and stayed on the phone with her as I went downstairs, got into our minivan, and made the trip to her.
“I’m here,” I said as I arrived. “Remind me of your apartment number so I can get buzzed in.”
Nicky gave me the info and buzzed me in. She’d been quiet for the rest of the call, but I had heard her following the instructions as well as her little snuffling breaths. She answered on the first knock at her door and went straight into my arms. I tucked my phone back into my pocket and pulled her close, breathing in her soft, spicy scent. I purred for her and stroked her hair as I ushered her inside the apartment.
I gave her a minute to adjust before I took her face in both hands and lifted it to look at me. “Do you want to tell me what's wrong, or do you just want company?”
“Company please.” Her voice was the meekest I had ever heard it, and as much as I wanted to know what had caused whatever this issue was, I wasn’t going to push her right now.
“Okay. Let's lock up your apartment. Did you finish your tea?”
Nicky flipped the deadbolt and shook her head. “I’m halfway through it.”
I nodded. “Let's sit so you can finish it.”
She let me maneuvre her back into the living room, where she nestled into my side beneath my arm and sipped her tea. I kept purring and pushed my scent towards her. Little by little she relaxed, the tension melting from her shoulders as she leaned more heavily against me. When she finally finished her tea and set the cup aside, she wrapped her arms around my torso and buried her face against my neck.
“Thank you for coming. I shouldn’t have asked you to.”
“I offered,” I reminded her. “I’m happy to be here for you.”
She nodded slowly, and when the tension snuck into her body again, I put my palm on the back of her neck, just the way she liked, and she released a contented sigh that had her melting once more.
We sat like that, falling asleep together sprawled on the couch, until Spud howled us awake for another meal. I laid Nicky out with a blanket and fed her cat, scratching his ears as I returned to her. She was still drowsy so I let her rest with her head in my lap.
I messaged the rest of the pack to let them know where I was. Those that were awake to respond did so with concern, asking after her well-being. I had no answer for them on that account, so I could only tell them that she was safe and that I was with her.
