Page 83 of Johnathan
“No, baby. I’ll take you home. How did you hit your head?”
He didn’t miss how Abby looked nervously at their group of friends. What was the fucking secrecy all about?
“Could you guys give us a minute?” she asked.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Emma’s face was full of concern as she slid her hand into Sebastian’s.
“I’m fine. Actually, if John’s going to give me a ride to my apartment, you should all go.”
“Will you text us and let us know you’re okay after you get home?” Daisy asked.
“Of course.”
“I’ll let dispatch know you’re off duty for tonight. Just take care of Abby and relay any information through James and Marc, okay?” Hank rested his hand on John’s shoulder. He’d completely missed the fact that Sunny was strapped to his chest in a little baby carrier just like he’d used when Katy was her age.
“Appreciate it, Hank.”
“It’s no problem.” Hank turned towards Seb and Emma. “You gotta stop planning these girls’ nights, Em. Something crazy always happens.”
“Excuse me… your wife is just as responsible for these nights, and I’m pretty sure the only person getting wild and crazy is usually Grace…”
Their bickering faded into the background as they walked to their vehicles. John focused again on Abby.
“Tell me what happened.”
“I’m fi?—”
“I’m barely holding it together here, Abby. So could you not be stubborn at this moment and just tell me what happened?”
“Take me home first,” she whispered.
John shrugged out of his deputy’s jacket, holding it in one hand while he removed his brother’s jacket from Abby’s shoulders.
“Here. My girlfriend doesn’t need to be wearing your shit. Wrap your jacket around your wife.” John shoved the jacket back at Jackson, who laughed as he took it back. “Let’s go, beautiful.”
“Help me up?” she asked, holding her hand out towards him. Like hell was he going to have her walk when she’d had an injury to her head. He bent over and scooped her up into his arms.
“John! I’m perfectly fine to walk.”
“No, you’re not. You’re pale and wincing, which I assume is from the pain in your head. I’m fucking holding on to you right now and there’s nothing you can say that would make me let you go.”
“I’m starting to think your need to carry me is getting out of control.”
He huffed as he looked down at her, a bit of the panic in his chest easing up at her teasing smile.
“Do you have everything you need for tonight? Your phone? Purse?”
“I’m all set. But my car is over there.” She pointed in the opposite direction from his truck. “I don’t want to have to walk over here to get it in the morning.”
A rumble started deep in his chest.
“You aren’t walking anywhere. I’ll bring you back tomorrow to pick it up.”
She didn’t argue after his outburst, instead pulling herself close enough that he could smell her perfume mixed with the antiseptic the paramedics must have used to clean her cut. Jesus. She’d been hurt and he hadn’t been there to keep her safe.
John got the door to his truck opened and safely deposited Abby into the seat. He watched as she clicked her buckle into place.
“I’m okay, John. You don’t have to baby me.”