Page 122 of Carter

“No way. That’ll cost a fortune. Anthony will pick you up.”

“Heather…”

“Don’t argue, Carter. Where can he get you?”

Groaning, I give her my address.

“I’ll let you know when he’s on the way. About a half hour, I’d guess.”

“I’ll make sure I’m ready.”

“Something is going on with you,” she says as she brings her cup of tea to her lips.

Ryan is still napping and Teddy is with him. I’ll visit with them when they wake up. Anthony is catching up on some work, so she and I are visiting in the kitchen, having tea like we’re old friends. She feels like a friend right about now. Maybe the only one I have.

I give her a look, raising a brow.

“You don’t look like you did the last time I saw you. Then, you were bright and happy. Now you’re like a rain cloud.”

I huff a laugh. “I’m like a rain cloud?”

“Yes. Like a big grey rain cloud that’s about to unleash torrential downpours.”

“Maybe I am. I don’t really know how I feel right now.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asks gently.

“Not really,” I admit, looking down at the slice of coffee cake I took even though I knew I wouldn’t eat it. I should because I don’t want to be rude, but my stomach hurts and I’m not hungry. “I mean, I have talked about it with others, so it’s not like I’m keeping it in, and it’s nothing against you, I’m just so tired of thinking about it, you know?” I run my hands over my face, then lean back in the chair.

She gives me a kind smile. “I understand.”

A door from the hallway creaks and I expect Anthony to walk in and sit with us. But it isn’t Anthony who walks into the kitchen.

“No way,” I breathe out. “Teddy?” I look up at Heather who is smiling. “Is this really Teddy? She’s out here? She’s—” I look back at the dog who is watching me curiously. That’s definitely Teddy. I’d recognize her anywhere. She hasn’t changed at all. I can still see the hesitation in her eyes, but she’s here. She’s on her own. She’s walking around the house. She’s—free.

“Come here, Teddy,” Heather says, patting her thigh.

Hesitantly, Teddy comes into the kitchen and Heather pets her.

I cover my mouth, wanting to cry again but I’ve cried so much that I don’t think I can anymore.

“Teddy has been through a lot,” she says, giving me a knowing look. “But look where she is now? I think we could take some inspiration from her. Don’t you?”

Chapter forty-one

Nash

The couch has become my new bed because laying flat hurts too much. It’s much easier to lean against the arm rest with some pillows and sit up at an angle. Problem is, I wake up stiff, and I was told not to shower. Not until today. I get off the couch, go into the bathroom, and put the water as hot as it’ll go. The room quickly fills with steam, and I carefully shove my pants down with one hand and my foot, because using my left arm still hurts too fucking much.

I make sure the bandage is taped down well so the water doesn’t soak through, and then I get in, groaning when the hot water hits my skin. It’s too hot, but this kind of pain is welcome because it’ll soon ease my muscles and aches. My whole fucking body hurts. A type of pain I’ve never felt before. I wash upcarefully, then just stand under the water and steam, hoping it’ll relieve some of the tension in my neck and shoulders, though I have a feeling that some of this pain will never go away. Not now.

When the water starts to cool, I get out. Dry off and put pants back on, then change the bandage.

The wound looks better than it feels. Which is a good thing. If it heals well, I shouldn’t have a problem going back to work—or need any restrictions.

The only upside of this is that Jason Mercer is in custody, and he is going to jail. I’d like to see him in there on all counts, but I still can’t be sure there is enough evidence for Ryan Kinsley’s murder. Lilianna still isn’t sure she wants to testify because she doesn’t want her husband to find out. It’s a problem I can’t worry about right now. At least Mercer is off the street.

I go into the kitchen to make breakfast. I take the last two eggs from the carton and the shredded cheddar cheese that’s two days past its expiration date. It’s not moldy, so it should be fine. I start coffee, trying to be conscious of my arm, but every now and then I move it the wrong way, try to grab something, and it hurts like a bitch.