Page 91 of Clashing
I parked outside the garage and the dogs barking curved a bittersweet smile on my lips.I miss them too.I knocked on the garage door and Grayson’s whine flipped my smile to a frown. Why was he whining? Was Ryker not home?
“Demon, open the door.”
A trick Ryker had taught him in case he ever forgot his keys. I’d seen him do it once when he left his garage opener at my apartment. Demon ran up and jumped on the wall, pushing the button with his paw. I wasn’t sure if he’d do it for me, but the door rumbled and lifted. The dogs yelped and whined, circling me.
I knelt down and petted them both. “What’s wrong, sweeties?”
Maybe it’s the fireworks.I was surprised Ryker would leave them here alone if they had issues with fireworks. Grayson gave an especially loud whine and sprinted to the door leading to the house.
Tilting my head, I approached and tried to calm him with scratches, but another firework boomed, and a whimper startled me. Not from the dogs. One from the other side of the door.
Oh no.Ryker was a veteran. He hated Fourth of July.How dumb are you, Scarlett? There’s literally a whole group of people who struggle like him at Dan’s house!
I yanked open the door and concern rippled through my chest. Ryker sat on the floor, head between his legs, body shaking.
I knelt beside him, my pulse thrumming. “Ryker.”
The dogs rushed to his side and licked him in between concerned whines. I set my hand on his shoulder, and he flinched. His head snapped up, eyes red and expression twisted between agony and confusion. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Bringing you food. Hey.” I squeezed his trembling shoulder. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
“I don’t need your fucking pi—”
Bang.Another firework exploded and he jolted, hugged his knees to his chest, and rocked. “Dammit!” He punched his leg, and I swallowed.
“Ryker.” I walked my fingers up to his neck and caressed his out-of-control pulse. “Don’t shut me out. It’s going to be okay.” I pulled my earbuds from my pockets and tried to turn his face toward me. “Come here.”
“Get out of here, Scarlett. It’s not your problem.”
Yeah, and it wasn’t your problem when I freaked out in bed.“I’m not going anywhere.” I brushed his hair back. “Let me help, Ryker.”
Vulnerability danced in his usually stoic eyes. His hands quivered. His chest rose and fell too fast. Every small noise made him twitch.
I held up the earbuds. “I can help.”
“I can’t use those,” he snapped, dropping his head between his knees. “It freaks me out.”
Another explosion, and he sucked in a breath, cursed, then slammed his fist against the ground. His knuckles split. Demon whined as he licked at the wound.I can’t leave him like this.
I stood and offered my hands. “Ryker, come here.”
He shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can, baby. Come here.” I unfolded his arms and placed his hands on my shoulders. “You can do this. You’re not powerless. Come on.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He didn’t move, but I did.
I held his hands to my shoulders and began to stand. I petted his wrists and pretended I didn’t notice the tear escape the corner of his eye. “You’re safe with me.”
Unsteady, he rose to his feet, and I locked my arms around him. He almost returned the embrace, but another firework went off. Ripping away from me, he smashed his fist into the wall, opening more cuts on his already bloody knuckles.
“Scarlett,leave. My brain isn’t in a good place. I might hurt you.” His voice cracked and he dropped his head into his hands, fingers digging into his scalp. “Just fucking leave.”
“You wouldn’t hurt me.” I pried his hands from his hair. “I’m not leaving.”
I wrapped an arm around his waist. He resisted at first but let me pull him out to my truck. I settled him in the passenger side and opened the tailgate. “Come on, sweeties.” I patted the bed of my truck. “We’re not leaving you alone with all this noise.”
They barked and sprinted over. Once both jumped in, I closed the tailgate and shut the garage door. Another firework detonated as I climbed into the driver’s seat, and Ryker released a shuddering, heartbreaking sound.
