Ty listens, jots things down as we go and, at some point, he switches on the outside porch light when dusk begins to fall upon us. I still don’t know where Foster went as he’s been inside the entire time. His sweet dog’s been watching over me, and it’s almost unnerving how he somehow detects my unease at certain moments while speaking with Ty. Harley raises his head at those given times and gently nudges me as if to say, Hey, you’re safe now.
As I wrap up my awful, convoluted narrative, I brave a glance at Ty to try and gauge his expression. To see if it’s more along the lines of This chick is a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
Which is why I’m stunned the moment I turn to face him in the yellow glow of the outside porch light. Sure, the yellow hued light makes him—makes us both—appear jaundiced, but I see the look in his eyes. And I feel like I already know what he’s about to say even before the words spill out of his mouth.
“Noelle, you did the right thing by getting out. But, we need to file this report now. In order to have anything to stand on when—yes, when—it happens again. Because you and I both know it will happen again. He’s not going to let you go.” Ty waves a hand, gesturing to the house. “He made that clear with those messages inside.”
Exhaling a long breath, he bends down to be eye to eye with me as I remain perched on the top step. “Fos is going to make sure you’re safe for tonight.” He must see the alarm on my face because he holds up a hand to stop me. “Let him. Please.” His lips tip up slightly, eyes crinkling a bit at the corners. “I need to be able to get some sleep tonight, knowing you’re safe and sound, okay?”
Offering a small smile, I nod. “Okay.”
Ty rises and turns toward the door to the house. “Let me get him out of there.” Pushing the door open, his voice begins to trail off as he walks farther into my house. “Fos? You about done?”
I glance over at Harley to find him watching me, and I lower my voice, lean forward with puckered lips. Crazy, but it’s like he knows my intent and lowers his head for me to press a kiss to the top of it. “Thanks, buddy. I appreciate you sticking by my side,” I whisper softly. He makes some sort of doggy-noise as if acknowledging my thanks and nuzzles my jawline with his nose.
“You two ready to head out?” I jerk in surprise at hearing Foster’s voice. That stealthy crap isn’t good for my heart—or my nerves—right now. Apparently, he notices and apologizes.
“Sorry, Davis.” His tone is gentler than normal and it makes me feel off—throws me off-kilter—because we don’t do this whole polite thing, normally.
“No biggie. Just a little jumpy still. I’ll get over it.” My tone is short and the casual tone I intend it to have falls short. Instead, I just sound like a nervous wreck.
Probably because I am one. Imagine that.
Standing up, I stretch my arms upward, feeling the tightness in my muscles from the overload of stress and anxiety during the last hour of my life, and blow out a long breath.
“You’re coming home with me tonight, Davis.”
And with Foster’s quietly spoken words, I find myself promptly employing all of my friend, Tate’s, relaxing, calming techniques used in the yoga class she teaches at the gym. None of which work. Because I’m going home with Foster Kavanaugh. My sexy, hands-off boss who doesn’t really like me. The one I have to steer clear of, the one who got wrapped up in my stupid freaking drama.
In that moment, I feel like asking Alex Trebek, “Can I please have A groaning ‘fuck me’ for one thousand?”
Chapter Seven
Foster
I spent the better part of the hour while Ty had been outside chatting with Noelle making the necessary calls to remedy—as best I could—this situation. I made a call to Perry, Noelle’s landlord, and had to use some quick, slick talk to strong-arm him into knocking down her rent because I knew how much he should be charging her—and it wasn’t fairly priced. Not to mention those shitty ass locks had been flimsy as hell. I plan on replacing those and will be installing a security system, as well. I also made a call to the cleaning crew and explained everything. The owner assured me they’d send a large crew out first thing in the morning.
Now, though, comes the tough part. Because I will be bringing Noelle home with me. And it wouldn’t be in the way I had sometimes—okay, often—imagined her coming home with me. Not at all.
It will be nothing short of tortuous to have her under my roof, but at least I’ll know she’s safe and that, in itself, is worth it. Without question.
Opening the door to quietly exit the house, I find her and Harley having a moment and, fuck, the sight of them with their heads together, Harley watching her adoringly, makes me feel as if I took a round—close range—to the chest. Quickly composing myself, I turn, meeting Ty’s eyes and he nods at me.
“I’m going to head on out. I’ll file everything.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” God knows he didn’t have to do all this. As Ty heads off to his vehicle, I focus my attention on Noelle.
“Harley.” His ears perk up instantly. “We’re going home, boy.” I start down the steps to my truck and about halfway down I stop. Because he isn’t following me. And that is not normal.