Page 38 of An Unexpected Encounter

“He’s still here, so that’s a good sign. Let’s just hope our early arrival doesn’t spook her.” Eli taps his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Well, we’ll woo her with our charm and food.” I wink when Eli looks at me and we both laugh.

We made a pit stop to pick up some more soup for Selena and some Mexican food for us. We got a little extra of it, just in case she’s better.

Zeke turns off the car, and I get out, opening the back door to grab the bags. When I turn around, I see him staring up at the building.

“Fuck, when we’re at work tonight, we need to talk to the captain. This place has so many fucking code violations,” Zeke says, his tone full of anger.

“I know. Every shift we’ve had since seeing where she lives has been nonstop. Busy or not, tonight we talk to him about this place being inspected.” Zeke nods in agreement.

Stepping up to the door, he opens it for me, allowing me to enter.

“Hey, give me one of those bags.”

“Seriously? You think I’m so weak that I can’t carry a couple of bags?”

“No. But hey, you do you, man. Carry them all.” Zeke laughs as he heads for the stairs, his laughter echoing the whole way up.

Rolling my eyes, I walk up the steps behind him. Anger courses through my veins, thinking about Selena having to do this with how sick and weak she is.

What if she were to become dizzy and slip? She could kill herself.

I see red at the thought of her body crumpled in a heap on the floor, neck broken. There’s no fucking way I’m not talking to the Captain tonight.

How in the world her fucking boyfriend lets her stay here is beyond me. I’m not sure what he does professionally, but even a child could see the dangers this place possesses.

Stepping onto her floor, we head straight for her apartment, giving a nod and smile as we pass the elderly woman stepping out of her front door. She doesn’t say anything, simply returning the gesture.

Here we go. I take a deep breath as we stop in front of her door. Zeke lifts his hand, giving a firm knock. Footsteps come from inside, getting louder the closer they get.

The door opens, and a grinning Jay stands before me. “Why did I know it was you? I thought you weren’t coming until later?” He steps back, allowing us to enter.

My eyes immediately go to the couch, rumpled blankets and pillows are on it, but no Selena. My eyes dart quickly back to Jay.

“She’s taking a shower,” he answers without me having to ask.

“Alone?” Zeke and I ask at the same time. You’d think we were the twins, instead of him and Jay.

“Yes. She wasn’t exactly welcoming to me joining her. I got a board from the truck and made a makeshift shower chair. She’s sitting on it and the door is unlocked and cracked open in case she needs me.”

“Why the fuck haven’t you answered my messages?” I growl at him, handing the bags off to Zeke, who takes them to the kitchen.

“I was busy and didn’t want to be on my phone in front of her. But”—he looks back over his shoulder in the direction of the bathroom—”I have something to tell both of you later,” he says, the last part softer.

“What?”

“Later,” he replies again.

Fine, I’ll let him have this for now. Even though it’s killing me knowing he has something to share with us.

Did he tell Selena how we all feel about her, that we don’t mind sharing? Did she break up with Sam? Fuck, that would be the best news ever.

“How is she feeling today?” Zeke asks from where he’s leaning against the kitchen doorway.

“She ate a little bit of soup this morning and she drank a small amount of Gatorade. I’m worried though. She’s barely keeping anything down and she’s weak as shit. I don’t like the idea of her being here alone.”

“None of us do. I say we come get her in the morning, pack her a bag and take her home with us. Then we convince her to go to a doctor.” Zeke pushes off the doorway, stepping closer to us.

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