Chapter 10

Stella

Today has been a better day than yesterday. I'm crediting the fact I slept – and I really mean slept – with Ransom last night and woke up to him this morning.

"You sure you can't call in today?"

My eyes travel the sleepy face laying beside me. "I wish I could, but Kels will kill me if I do. Today is a lab day, and we're always busy. She can't handle it on her own. Our part-time chick, Karsyn, we like her, but she's got no damn common sense. Basically, Kels and I run that place."

"Bummer." He pulls the pillow under his cheek as he rolls over onto his stomach. His biceps flex as he gets comfortable. "I don't have to go in until two today."

"I wish I could hang with you until you go to work," I pout. "Does that mean you get off late tonight?"

"After midnight," he yawns.

Now I feel bad. It's six in the morning. Hopefully I haven't completely messed up his sleep schedule. "Go back to sleep, please? I'll be quiet."

"I'll go back to sleep after you leave." His voice is scratchy, deep, and sexy as hell.

Slipping out from under the covers, I almost scream as I see Rambo at my feet. The only thing giving him away is the clinking of his tags. "Shit, he's quiet."

"He is." Ransom leans over to scratch the top of his head. "He probably needs to go out."

"I can do it."

"You sure?"

I don't want to tell him that I hope this is something that comes to be a routine for us in the future. Maybe he's not thinking that far ahead, but I definitely want to show him I can handle the life he lives. "We got this. I'll let him out, then get ready in the bathroom down the hall so I don't disturb you too much."

He laughs, deep and low in his throat. "I can sleep anytime, anywhere."

"While that's probably true, it would make me feel better to know you got good sleep. You have a job you need to be alert for."

"Thanks, Stelle. Rambo doesn't need to be fed until later on, so just let him back in and he'll either come back to bed or roam the house."

Walking around the side of the bed, I bend down, kissing him on the cheek when he turns his head to face me. "Be careful out there."

"Always." He catches my wrist, circling his fingers around my flesh. "Tell me if I'm coming on too strong, but I'd love it if you were here when I get home tonight? It's Friday and I'm off tomorrow."

The uncertain way he says it warms my heart. Just like last night, he doesn't make assumptions, and I appreciate that more than I can tell him. "You're in luck." I run my fingers through his hair. "Kels is going with Ruby tomorrow to a concert in Birmingham and they're spending the night. I was gonna be by myself anyway. I'd much rather spend time with you two."

"I'll text you the door code to the back door. It's a number padlock, and I'll include instructions on how to turn the alarm off."

"Perfect. I'll come here after I have dinner with Kels and pack a bag."

Rambo makes a noise then, nudging my leg. "I think he's ready to go out."

Ransom laughs. "I think he is too. See you later."

"Yeah." I kiss him again. "See you later."

"Get that smile off your face." Kels snaps her fingers. "Let's get it together, we have three more patients to see and then we can go to fried chicken sandwich night at The Café. I'm starving."

I am too, but I've found myself getting distracted today, mostly by thoughts of the man I spent the night with. Better than anyone, I know this is the excitement of being in a new relationship, but at the same time, Ransom is different than any other man I've been with.

"Call this one back, Stella." Dr. Patterson hands me a chart, interrupting my thoughts.

As I check the labs this person is going to get, I make a deal with myself to stay focused until Kels and I can get out of here.

Ransom

The night has been pretty calm, but I know not to count on it. As soon as I start counting on it, all hell will break loose. Pulling up in front of The Café, I park before grabbing Rambo's leash. In the back he prances, making noises because he knows where we are. Getting out, I walk to the back and open up his door, snapping his leash on him.

"C'mon out."

He pulls me toward the front door, making me laugh. "Chill, Mom will have you your favorite. I texted her and told her we were coming."

It's close to seven as we enter the bustling restaurant. We get looks, like we always do, but everyone is used to seeing us around here. Over in the corner, I see Kels and Stelle along with their parents, talking animatedly with one another. As I'm about to go to find my mom, Menace sees me, waving me over. Since he's my supervisor, I immediately go over to where he sits.

"Hey," everyone yells as I make my way across the crowded dining area.

"Hey," I answer. Stelle smiles at me, and I do my best not to smile at her with the private smile of two people who spent the previous night together.

"How's it going?" Menace asks. "You having any issues tonight?"

"Nope, we did a drug sniff for a traffic stop, and that's about it. Just been driving around."

"Hopefully that's all you'll have."

I hook my one hand into my vest. "Yes sir."

"Hey sweetie!" I hear the sound of my mom's voice as she comes up behind me.

Rambo barks loudly as he hears her voice. "He knows what you have for him." I bend down, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I do, I have some dinner for you too. Wanna come eat with me on your break?"

"We didn't mean to monopolize his time," Renegade apologizes. "Have a good night, Ransom."

"Thanks, see y'all later."

When everyone else looks down at their food, Stella looks at me. She mouths see you tonight, and I smirk before going over to the booth that's always reserved for our family. Mom pulls Rambo to the side, setting down a bowl of the turkey and gravy he loves. She scratches his head before she looks at me. "How many sandwiches you want?"

"Just one, with some fries, and a huge glass of water. It's hot as hell out there."

She gives me my food, then has a seat across from me. "I haven't heard from you in the past few days."

My gaze strays to Stella. "Been really busy, but you know you can call me anytime."

"Holden says I need to let you live your life." She blushes. "That you might have a girlfriend you haven't told us about and I'm ruining your game."

Shaking my head, I take a bite of my sandwich. "Mom, I'm never too busy for you. Even if there is someone in my life."

"There is?" Her eyes light up.

"I said if," I remind her. "Things are looking up though."

"What aren't you telling me?"

Stella and I have already said we need to keep this quiet until we figure out what's going on, and I'm not about to go back on that. "When there's something to tell you, I will. How's Cutter? I talked to Dad earlier tonight, and Cutter lost his scholarship?"

Cutter is my little brother and had been at the University of Alabama on a football scholarship. At the end of last year, he'd gotten in trouble, and we'd all been waiting to see what the school would say.

"Yeah, he found out yesterday. He's not taking it very good."

"He shoulda thought about that," I remind her.

I've always been the older brother, the responsible one of the two of us, but this shit is going too far.

"You know he got his heart broken, Ransom."

"Mom, I get that, trust me, I get it. I was with him when it happened. He's got to get over it. He's got to be a productive member of society."

"He's doing his best."

And I know with all her heart she believes that. But I know my brother, and I know he's not doing everything he can right now.

"Dad won't allow it indefinitely, and neither will I." I gulp my water down.

"I know, but for now, let's give him the benefit of the doubt."

Stella, and the rest of the crew that was in their party, get up to leave. Mom and I speak to them for a few minutes, and I can't help but watch as she walks away.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text from Stella.

S: Going back to my apartment now to pack my bag. Gonna take a nap when I get to your house. Wake me up when you get home.

"What's that smile?" Mom sees a story and she wants it desperately.

"Not yet." I give her a look, eating the last of my food. "Me and Rambo have to go, but I'll talk to you later?"

"Love you, Ransom, be careful." She reaches down, stroking Rambo's head. "Keep each other safe," she says softly.

"Love you too, Mom. You closing tonight?"

"Yeah, it's my turn."

"Text or call me when you close, I'll come to walk you out."

"Will do."

She hugs me one more time before we leave, and as I get into my SUV, I take a minute to answer Stella's text.

R: Wake you up no matter how late it is?

S: No matter how late. I can handle this, Ransom.

As I put my phone back in my pocket, I realize I've never wanted someone to be able to handle my life as much as I hope she can.