Page 54 of Same Difference
Dodger made his way to the hallway near the entrance of the precinct and leaned against the wall. With his back to the doors, Nathan crossed his arms and glared at Dodger. “You have five seconds.”
“She smells sad.”
Nathan closed his eyes to hide the hurt that caused in his chest. “I know.”
“You’re messing with her.”
“I’m taking care of her.”
“But for the wrong reasons. What’s the plan, Second? You going to pull her in again? Burn her up? Throw her away again?”
“I’m…” Nathan shook his head and stared at a picture across the hallway of the sheriff of this county. “I brought her here. I can’t just leave her alone.” No, it wasn’t the whole reason he was taking care of her, but he would rather take a swift kick to the dick than talk to Dodger about any of this. He’d been acting so weird about Delta.
“That’s it?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Only it is my business. She’s acting so differently, and where I’m from, we call that spinning out. She’s wearing see through tops to busy bars?” Dodger asked. “I’ve never even seen her wear a shirt with the top button undone.”
“What’s your point.”
“She’s hurt, man. She’s obviously hurting and you’re still messing with her head.”
“I’m making sure she’s okay! She’s my responsibility. I know that’s a foreign concept to you, Dodger, but I have responsibilities. Liam’s locked up, we’re new to building this thing, all of you are my responsibility right now.”
“Even Delta.”
“What the hell are you talking about? What do you want from me?”
“I want you to admit you’re fucking with her head because you don’t like losing.”
Nathan felt sick. “Fuck you, man,” he said, brushing past him.
“Cut her loose!” Dodger barked. “Stop fucking with her. Cut her loose before things get too hard for you again. Cut her loose before you throw her away again.”
“Sure, Dodger. I will,” he gritted out, throwing up a middle finger for the asshole. Whatever he wanted to hear, he could have it. Nathan was busy.
Nory had appeared in the mouth of the hallway, but she wasn’t looking at Nathan. She was looking past him. Nathan glanced over his shoulder and froze.
Delta was standing there in the mouth of the entrance, illuminated by the evening light. Dodger pushed off the wall between them and strode outside without a word to Delta.
“I heard that,” Delta said softly. Her pretty green eyes were filled with moisture, and she was clutching her purse to her chest like a little shield.
Shhhhit. “I didn’t mean—”
“Save it,friend. At least you’re being honest.” Delta turned, shoved the door open and left.
He was going to kill Dodger. Motherfucker had set him up.
Nathan kicked up to a jog and followed her out. She’d disappeared, so he made his way to the middle of the parking lot and searched desperately for her.
An engine roared to life, but it was a black 4Runner. When he looked into the window, he could see her silhouette. It was Delta. She was gripping the steering wheel and resting her head against it.
Whose car was that? He jogged toward her and pulled the door handle of the passenger side. She would drive off if he tried to talk through the driver’s side.
Without a word, he climbed up into the passenger’s seat.
“Get out,” she demanded, and whoo there was a snarl to her tone. Her eyes were way too bright, and it smelled like fur in here.
