Page 52 of Just Friends

Bonnie marched to the changing area with a bag of sweats.

“You should make a move on her,” he told Ty.

“I brought you clothes. Why are you trying to get me killed?”

“As fun as that sounds, no, I need you to spar with.”

Ty flipped him off, then glanced toward where she went. “Think she’s into that?”

He might be throwing Ty to the wolves. “Yep.”

???

Weasel wrestled with showing up at Rebecca’s apartment at 3 a.m. Not wanting to scare her, but powerless to stop thinking of her. The desire to have her in his arms drove him to the complex and to the door. Rebecca’s bleary-eyed annoyance gave way to panic at the sight of him.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I know it’s a crazy time to show up. I just needed to see you.”

“Why are you dressed like that?” Rebecca stepped back for him to enter.

Weasel turned the lock on the door. “I had to go through decontamination after a meth lab we were busting blew up.” She went pale. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything, but she’d find out tomorrow anyway. Rebecca threw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Weasel buried his face in her hair inhaling the lavender scent. Her body was pressed against him and, straightening, he lifted her off the ground. “Can I stay with you tonight,” he whispered.

“Of course. Should you go to the hospital, make certain everything’s okay?”

“Spent the last four hours getting cleared medically. I’m exhausted…can I hold you?” Weasel lowered her feet to the floor and gazed into the beautiful green eyes staring up in concern and compassion.

Rebecca ran her fingers along his rough cheeks. “Do you need something to eat or drink?”

“No, babe.”

“Let’s go to bed.”

“Best thing I’ve heard all day.” Rebecca took his hand and led him through the darkened living room to the bed.

???

Rebecca watched the morning newscast report in horror. The meth lab bust and subsequent explosion had made national television. The station broadcast shots of that horrible Shakers place and the burned out remains of the building behind it was being seen coast to coast. Not a great advertisement for the town tourism board or the wedding business her friends started.

They mentioned several agents injured but treated and released at the scene. One of those unnamed officers was still passed out in her bed; he’d shown up at some ungodly hour looking like hell had run him over a few times. Unsurprising that he’d fallen asleep within seconds of curling up next to her, and she occasionally tapped him on the shoulder to make sure he’d stir. She’d once read to do that with someone with a concussion to verify they didn’t need medical attention. Weasel didn’t mention he had one, but she couldn’t be certain he’d tell her either. Her phone vibrated, and Hannah’s name flashed across the screen; she answered.

“Oh my god, are you seeing the news?” Hannah asked.

“Yeah.”

“That is insane. Can’t believe there was that big of a meth lab right in our town.”

It wasn’t a surprise. She’d figured something serious was going on based on the DEA task force. But unable to say without letting on that she spoke to Weasel far more often or that the man was lying naked in bed.

“Right?” Rebecca replied.

“Do you think it involved Weasel?”

Ah, of course. “Probably.”

“Have you heard from him?”

“No.”

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