Page 75 of Wish You Were Mine

35

ASHER

We were well and truly late for work by the time Nate dismissed us from the police station—after a stern talking to about not disturbing the town’s peace again.

No one had filed charges. I wasn’t about to have James charged with anything when this whole thing had started because I’d been a bit too blase about confidentiality.

No matter my personal opinion, I should have kept my mouth shut. That was the job. But I’d let my emotions get the better of me and behaved unprofessionally.

I had to get my head on straight.

“Do you want to get a coffee?” Liam asked, walking alongside me.

I glanced at my watch. “We’d better not. Parks is going to be furious already.”

He winced. “I reckon it’s your job to tell him what happened.”

I groaned but didn’t disagree. If I hadn’t said anything to Tia, there’s a good chance no one would have, even if they’d secretly wanted to.

“You know there’s a possibility someone has already filled him in,” I said.

“Yeah.” He looked miserable.

“Hey, none of it was on you,” I told him. “It was my bad call. It’ll be fine.”

We arrived at the firehouse and all eyes were on us as we entered the staff room.

Maia winced. “He did a number on your pretty face, Ash.”

I tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage it. “You mind checking me out?”

“Of course not.” She rose and came over. “Let me take you out to the ambo, so we have all the supplies we need.”

“I hope the other guy looks worse!” Darcy called after us as Maia led me away.

“He doesn’t,” I muttered to Maia. “Not a bruise on his ugly mug.”

She tutted. “I didn’t expect anything else. You’re not a violent guy, even if you do have a temper on you.”

We entered the garage, and she rounded the ambulance and opened the back door.

“Sit on the bed,” she instructed.

I climbed in and perched on the edge of the bed, waiting while she sorted out supplies. With gentle, efficient movements, she cleaned the crusted blood off my face and inspected my nose.

“I don’t think it’s broken,” she said. “You can get an x-ray if you’d like though, just to be sure.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it is, either, although it hurt like hell when he did it. Gave my brain a good rattle too.”

“Hmm.” She shone a flashlight in my eyes and asked me a few questions. “Pupils reactive, and your memory seems fine. Do you have a headache?”

“Not other than my nose throbbing.”

She nodded. “Unlikely you’ve got a concussion, but you know the precautions to take anyway.” She smeared white cream on my nose and then the skin under my eyes. “It’s probably too late for an ice pack to do much good, but this should help with the pain and swelling.”

“Thanks.” I was lucky to have her for a partner.

“Uh, Ash?”

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