Page 29 of Second Down Darling

It’s not that far, but fuck, I’m not crazy about this idea. Except there’s no time to debate it because the temperature skyrockets. The building groans and somewhere behind me, glassshatters.

“Don’t die on me, Charlotte. I need you,” I whisper against her sweaty forehead before I dangle her limp body over theledge.

The firemen catch her easily and whisk her away from the building. Behind me, Duke barksfrantically.

“Not gonna leave you behind, buddy.” In between coughs, I whip off my t-shirt and tear it so it hangs in one long piece and scoop him up. Swear to God, that dog wraps his paws around my neck. Using the shirt, I wind it around us like a sling and tie a knot. “Hold on, Duke. This might bescary.”

I carry us over the metal railing. After a second, I let go and land in a crouch, but the weight of the dog throws me off balance, and we tumble to the ground. Somehow I manage not to flatten him in the process. He licks my face as Icough.

Firemen drag me away from the building just before an explosion takes out the bottom unit. Glass flies everywhere and people scream. Through it all, I’m coughing until a paramedic puts an oxygen mask over myface.

“That was brave,” the paramedic says. “Stupid, but brave. You likely saved yourgirlfriend.”

I yank down my mask. “Is Charlotte okay? Where isshe?”

“In the ambulance. We’re about to take her to thehospital.”

Scrambling off the grass, I look around and spot them loading herup.

But I can’t just take off. Where’s Asher? I scan the crowd. There he is. Thank God. I thank the woman and hug him to my chest before I run toward the ambulance. It’s already pulling away. “Wait!”

But I’m toolate.

I flag down a fireman. “Where are they taking her? Whichhospital?”

He unclips the walkie-talkie from his chest and asks. “CharmingMemorial.”

“Thanks.” I race to my car and load Asher. Then I run around to the driver’s side, hell-bent on getting to the hospital as quickly as possible, when a bark stopsme.

Duke. Shit. I can’t just leave himhere.

“Come on, boy,” I say. He hops into my lap and scrambles over to the passenger seat. “Let’s go check on yourmama.”

I claim the first spot I see at the hospital, grab Asher, and hightail it inside. I’m freaking out by the time I get to the receptionarea.

The nurse behind the counter holds up her hand. “Sir, you can’t bring a dog inhere.”

I’m so unglued, I didn’t even notice Duke following me out of thecar.

Fuck. Why didn’t I think of this? “He’s, uh, he’s a service dog. He’s very well behaved.” I look down at Duke. “Sit.” His butt instantly hits the floor. “See?”

I feel bad for lying, but what am I supposed to do with adog?

“Aww, he’s beautiful, but I can’t allow him in without a leash or harness.” She eyes me up and down, and that’s when I remember I’m not wearing ashirt.

I catch my reflection in a mirror behind the credenza. My face and torso are covered in soot. Asher is sucking his thumb. Poor guy. He’s probably spooked too. I kiss his forehead before I turn to the nurseagain.

“Listen, we were just in a fire, and my friend’s dog barely escaped. I only want to check on her, and then I’ll drop Duke off at my apartment and return. Is there any way I can make thishappen?”

“What’s your friend’s name?” She types it into the computer. “They brought her in, but I don’t know much more thanthat.”

“I just want to see her for a moment. Make sure she’s okay. I don’t even know if she was breathing when I pulled her out of herapartment.”

Fuck. What if she doesn’t make it? We never really cleared the air. I never had the chance to apologize. To tell her how much she means tome.

“I’m so sorry. That’s terrible.” The nurse glances around. “I could get in trouble for this, but it’s been a slow night. If you swear you won’t be longer than ten minutes, I’ll put him in the break room while you check on yourfriend.”

“Thank you so much.” Once I get Duke situated, I take off with Asher through the large doors. It takes me three tries before I finally find the correct emergency roompod.

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