On the ride down, I stared at the card in my hand. I rubbed my gloved fingers over the lettering of my case number. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings, and it cost me. When I stepped outside the building and onto the sidewalk, I glanced across the street. There, standing like a commanding statue, was Warren. He was dressed in a gray suit with a black overcoat. His briefcase was dangling from his left hand as a cell phone hung in his right. His eyes stared daggers right through me. I swallowed as I stumbled back slightly and he smirked, his mouth almost an evil grin.
Panic began to seize me. I turned, almost plowing into another bystander as I raced for the doors of the coffee shop next door. I looked back over my shoulder to see Warren still staring. He must have known that he couldn’t come any closer, but it didn’t stop him from trying to intimidate me from where he was.
I threw open doors to It’s Latte and barreled inside, crashing right into someone, a very tall someone.
“Whoa,” a male voice sounded as two strong hands grabbed my shoulders to steady me.
“Let go!” I yelled as I yanked back, almost falling backwards and back out the door.
“Brooke? Are you ok?” I looked up to see the blue eyes of Cal staring back at me.
“Cal. He’s out there.” I pointed at the door. “Warren’s out there.” Cal rushed outside, coffee in hand and stood on the sidewalk. I watched as he scanned the area before coming back in.
“He’s gone now.” He sighed. “Did he try to talk to you or get close?”
“No, he just stared.” My voice shook as my heart thundered in my chest.
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do about that. As long as he stays a hundred feet away, he’s within his rights.”
“I’m just ready for this to all be over,” I mumbled.
“I know, and it will be, it just might take a while.” Cal nodded. “Hey, I was meeting someone here for coffee; want to join us?”
“I really can’t. I need to get back to the house. Thanks.” I waved as I turned toward the door. Roni’s words of ‘don’t get involved with someone’ ran through my head on a loudspeaker. I wasn’t ready, but I couldn’t chance it either.
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged before waving to someone coming in. “S’up, Bro?”
I turned to see Blake glance up at us. His smile dropped and was immediately replaced by a frown. “I’ll take mine to go,” he grumbled as the barista handed Cal two cups. Cal’s brow furrowed as Blake turned and left as quickly as he appeared.
I used that moment to escape too. I couldn’t figure Blake out with his hot and cold moments. He seemed to want to be around me one day, and the next it was like I had the plague. My entire walk home was spent trying to figure why I made him mad. What did I do? Was Warren right? Was I just too stupid to see it?
Chapter 10
Blake
It’s been a long day today, and all I can think about is getting home, having a beer, and relaxing. My brother has been getting on my last nerve the last few days, so like the mature person I am, I’ve been avoiding him. Guess he figured it out because just as I looked up, I saw him heading straight for me.
“Hey.” Cal stopped at the nurse’s station where I was currently filling out orders for a patient I’d just seen.
“Need something?” I muttered as I placed the file back on the counter. Donna smiled and nodded. I could tell that she was up to something, but I didn’t know what at the moment. She’d been acting strange all day.
“I was hoping to grab a beer with you after shift, but you seem to be avoiding my calls.” Cal shrugged as he leaned his hip against the counter.
“I’ve been busy,” I grumbled as I started to walk away.
“Doing what?” Cal followed me. I don’t know what his game is today. Shouldn’t he be hanging out with Brooke? He’s been with her the last few times I’ve seen him.
“Working.” I shot him a warning glare. “Kinda like I’m trying to do right now?!” I stopped outside a patient’s door. “Why don’t you invite Brooke out with you? You seem to be pretty close now.”
“What?” He shook his head. “I’m helping her with her case. Why does this bother you so much?” His brow furrowed and then his lips formed a giant smile. “Oh, I see.” He chuckled. “You’re jealous.” He pointed at me and started laughing. “Dude, she’s nice and all but we’re just friends. You should ask her out if you like her.”
“She’s still married,” I growled.
“Not for long. She filed the papers two weeks ago.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
My eyes swung to his, “and you know this how?”
“She told me.” He shrugged. “Probably would have told you too if you stuck around one of those times you’ve seen us.”
I sighed. Cal was right. Every time I’ve seen them around town, I’ve rushed away in the other direction. Brooke had a horrible experience and I feel like I should leave her alone if she wants my brother. “I guess we can grab a beer later, but I have to get back to work.” I pointed at the door of the room I was waiting to enter.
“I’ll meet you
