Page 47 of Off the Clock
“I know.” I stretched to offer him a soft kiss, but almost as soon as our lips met, I heard the clatter of footsteps on the stairs. We sprang apart right as two longtime crew members stepped onto the roof, one with a pack of cigarettes, the other with a vape. Neither seemed to pay us much mind, but we still made a show of getting the hell out of there.
“Thanks for the talk,” I said a little too loudly.
“Anytime.” Tony was too jovial by far. “Thanks for the work advice.”
On the stairs, he whispered, “Sorry. That was a close call.”
“Too close,” I whispered back urgently. “No more sneaky work kisses.”
“Dammit. I know you’re right, but I hate it.”
“Me too.”
The alarm for an incoming call sounded right then. After two car accidents and a lawn fire, it was late afternoon before I saw Tony again, this time in the kitchen as a bunch of us assembled for a late lunch. I helped myself to a turkey sandwich and tried not to glance too often over at Tony, who was seated at a tablewith others. I was adding some mayo to the bread when Sean came bustling through in an obvious hurry.
“Caleb.” Sean made a beeline for me, and my heart launched into my throat even before he added, “We need to talk.”
“Um. Right here?” I hedged a glance toward the conference room that might afford a semblance of privacy for whatever dressing down I was about to receive.
“No time.” He waved a hand. “911 call just came in from the school. Crew’s headed out now.”
“The school?” Bile rose in my throat. I would have preferred a public lecture on fraternization a thousand times over. “Someone at football camp?”
“Yeah.” Sean put a hand on my shoulder. “Accidental helmet-to-helmet hit for Scotty. Coach Willard wants him evaluated for a possible neck injury and concussion.”
“Fuck.”
“Deep breath,” Sean said as Tony pushed up from the table. I shook my head in a subtle no. If Tony came close, I was likely to completely lose it. Instead, I focused everything on Sean. “There’s a good chance the coaching staff is just being precautious. What you need to do now is call your mom, then get to the hospital.”
“Yeah.” I sucked down oxygen like a chocolate shake through a straw. Didn’t help one bit. “I can do that.”
“I can drive him,” Tony volunteered.
“Hospital’s three blocks away.” Sean frowned, gaze darting between us. “You okay to drive, Caleb?”
“Of course,” I lied, wanting nothing more than Tony’s warm embrace and steadying presence. But I had no choice. I couldn’t look at Tony, couldn’t think about how much I needed him, couldn’t even risk a few words on my way out of the room. I was too close to crumbling, and too much was at stake.
I needed to reach Scotty. No falling apart allowed. I sensed Tony behind me, but I didn’t let myself turn. Instead, I increased my pace as I headed for the parking lot, phone out to call my mom. Deep breaths, like Sean said. I had to think positive for Scotty’s sake, but inside, I was already bracing for the worst.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tony
Not being able to go to Caleb truly sucked. In the Rangers, I had often struggled with what to say to offer comfort in moments of loss or difficulty. I wasn’t exactly known as a warm and fuzzy sergeant. But with Caleb, the urge to be there for him was as natural as breathing. Moreover, with Caleb, I wouldn’t have tosayanything. I instinctively knew what my guy needed—a tight hug and someone to manage all the little distracting details so he could focus on being there for Scotty and his mother.
But I couldn’t offer any of that, not at work, not with Sean standing right there as Caleb exited the kitchen. Bad enough I’d tried to follow him after offering a ride. I wouldn’t blame Sean if he were suspicious after that little display, so I didn’t risk texting Caleb right then. Instead, I bolted down the rest of my food and headed to the next task on my list: cleaning the rig after the earlier callout for the grass fire.
I waited to reach out to Caleb until I was in the restroom, like a kid sneaking his phone at school. Even then, I kept it bland in case my text was seen by prying eyes.
Me
How goes it for Scotty? Keep us updated back here at the station. Pulling for you both.
Including Caleb in my thoughts for Scotty felt harmless enough, a friend-level text with no personal or emotional subtext. And frankly, I hated that. I wanted all the subtext. I wanted Caleb to know I cared and was here for him and that I’d drop everything…
But I couldn’t type any of that. Couldn’t risk Caleb’s job. If the hammer came down on me, so be it, but if I got Caleb in trouble, I’d never forgive myself. Consequently, I second-guessed myself until my shift finally ended that evening.
My steps were wooden and slow as I headed to my car. The smart thing would be to go to Eric’s, help Jonas with dinner prep for the teens, and wait to see if Caleb ever texted me back. Our down-low arrangement had been perilously close to discovery for weeks, and we had to stop playing fast and loose like earlier with the kiss while we were technically both on duty. But God, how I wanted to be there for Caleb. I paused as I reached my car and glanced down the road toward the hospital. My whole body felt pulled toward Caleb, a physical need.