Page 18 of Being Us (Next Generation 4)
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“You should be. But yes, Ihavedone this a few times before. The guys I know, play rough, so they needed someone to tend to their wounds because like you, constantly going to the hospital is bound to strike up questions they don’t want to answer.” I snapped my mouth shut, unsure as to why I revealed all of that. “What happened tonight?” I asked, cleaning up the wound.
“I was trying to save my dog,” he answered, his voice becoming thick.
“What? You did?” I asked, while sterilizing a needle. “Ready?” I brought it to his shoulder, pausing while I waited for his answer.
“Yes.” He inhaled sharply.
When I dug the needle into the skin and began sewing up the wound, he didn’t even flinch, which was impressive as hell. “What happened to your dog?”
“We had gone for a walk.” Tanner pinched the bridge of his nose. “I needed to meet up with someone. After that, Trigger and I were on our way home, but we stopped at a deli, so I could get us some food. He…” His voice cracked. “He disappeared and I found him in an alley. Someone had him in a headlock and eventually…stabbed him.”
I gasped. “I’m so sorry.”
“He died because of me,” Tanner said, more to himself than to me. His eyes took on a faraway look, like he was remembering the events from the night or something even before that.
“I’m sorry if this leaves a nasty scar,” I told him, working away on his shoulder.
“Don’t care,” he mumbled. “Not like anyone’s going to see it.”
I paused. “What does that mean?”
“What do you think it means?” His gaze locked with mine.
I wasn’t sure if it was his subtle way of telling me that he was single, but I knew, God did I ever know. With the way he stared at me and the intense air about him, he was dangerous. For me. For my health. For my damn sanity.
I cleared my throat. “I am really sorry about your dog,” I whispered.
“It is what it is.”
Which meant, he was going to get revenge. And I hoped he did. Poor puppy. I couldn’t imagine losing an animal like that and having it done right in front of him, I was sure, only made it worse. Especially when there was nothing he could have done. He probably thought that his dog blamed him.
“Okay, I’m done.” I put the needle and thread away, closed the kit and placed a bandage on the wound. Running my thumb along the edge, I hoped it didn’t hurt as much anymore.
A shiver trembled through him.
“Sorry.” I pulled my hand back, my cheeks heating. “I’m sorry.”
Much to my surprise, Tanner grabbed my hand, placing it back on his shoulder. “Don’t be sorry. I like it.”
“I’m sure you do.” I laughed lightly. “Don’t most guys like it when a woman touches them?”
He smirked, his dark eyes dropping to my mouth. “I’m not like most guys, little one.”
My breath caught.
A heavy knock sounded on the front door, interrupting our moment.
“Expecting someone?” Tanner asked, his brows narrowing.
I pulled away from him and jumped to my feet when the knock sounded again.
“Coming!” I called out. Knowing that it was probably Cyrus and Sammy checking up on me for the millionth time, I quickly disposed of the first aid kit. Maybe they were coming over to apologize for being jerks. Unlikely, but a girl could hope.
After putting everything away, I stopped at the hallway that led to the front door. I looked between it and Tanner.
He raised an eyebrow.
