Page 62 of Smitten with the Single Dad

His throat grew tight. “Thanks.”

“They need you out of there before they pull the truck free,” Myla said to Justine. “But we need to hook the truck up just enough for the guys to get in there and remove the door.”

Justine nodded, gave Wyatt’s shoulder one final squeeze, then climbed out.

“You okay for another minute or two?” Myla asked him.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Not really.”

“Well then, I’m okay for another minute or two. Anything after two minutesthough, and I’m charging you double.”

Myla chuckled. “Sounds good.”

It was definitely more than two minutes, but eventually, they hauled the truck out of the ditch and from against the tree enough that the firefighters could get in there. Next, it was Hawke and Ansel’s turn to shine with the jaws of life. They opened up the truck door. Then, along with Grayson and Justine, they got Wyatt out of the truck and onto a spine board.

“I don’t want the boys to see me like this,” he said, as Ansel and Hawke carried him up to the road.

“They need to see that you’re okay,” Justine said, her brown eyes boring into his through the harsh glare of all the headlights. “Even if it’s on a spine board, they need to see you.”

She was right. “Okay.”

“Dad!” Griffon shouted, jumping off Vica’s lap, where they sat on the tailgate of Clint’s truck. Jake was right there with him.

“Hey,” he said, reaching for their hands. “Crappy ending to an otherwise great day, huh?”

Griffon had tears in his eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t die the way Mom did.”

Fuck, his throat was getting tight again. “Me, too, buddy.”

He glanced at Jake. “Jake, I’m okay. Justine checked me out. I can feel my toes. It’s going to be okay.”

His oldest son was trying so hard to be stoic, but his bottom lip wobbled as he nodded.

“You guys stay with Vica and your uncles.”

“Where are you going?” Griffon asked in a panic.

“We’re going to take him to the hospital quick and check him out there, but heshouldbe home later tonight,” Justine said. “The hospital just has all the right equipment.”

“I don’t want to leave you,” Griffon said. “Can we come too?”

“No—”

“Yes,” Vica said, sliding off the tailgate. Dom was beside her. “We will go. You shouldn’t be away from your father right now.” Her eyes met his with a pleading look, driving home the fact that his sons were terrified of losing another parent and the last thing they needed right now was to be separated from him.

He nodded. “Okay, pal. You guys can come too.”

Relief creased his sons’ exhausted faces.

Ansel and Hawke loaded him into the back of the firetruck aid car, and there was enough room for Justine, Vica, and the boys too.

“We’ll meet you there,” Clint said as he, Dom, and Bennett climbed into Clint’s truck.

“I’ll probably be fine,” Wyatt said, unable to actually really see his brother since the C-collar kept him from being able to move his neck. “Go home.”

“Fuck that,” Dom said. “Maybe give him a CAT scan too. He’s clearly lost his mind.”

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