But she still couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
“Thanks, Sky. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. I’ll talk to you soon. You going to the garage this weekend?”
“I don’t know,” Taylor told her. It was Thursday, and she and Eagle hadn’t talked about their weekend plans yet. It was silly, but she’d spent the last two Saturdays with him, so she’d simply expected to spend this one with him too. But that was presumptuous of her. He might have other plans . . . or a date.
She’d refused to let herself think of Eagle as anything other than a friend, but it was getting harder and harder. She liked the man. A lot. He’d gotten under her skin, and every time he touched her, she wanted more.
“Well, I’m sure I’ll see you around soon,” Skylar told her.
“I hope so,” Taylor said. And she did. She really liked the other woman. She was fun and had such a positive outlook on life, especially considering what she’d been through. And the stories she shared about her kindergarten students were hilarious.
“Bye.”
“Bye.” Taylor hung up and bit her fingernail as she paced. Eagle didn’t need to check in with her, of course. But her worry wouldn’t go away.
Twenty minutes later, her phone rang, but it was Bull, not Eagle.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Taylor, it’s Bull. I talked to Sky, and she said you called about Eagle.”
“I did. Is everything all right? I mean, I’m probably being paranoid, but I haven’t talked to him today, which is unusual.”
Bull sighed. “We were reviewing a case today, and it upset him,” he said after a moment. “Most of the time we can look at police reports and newscasts and compartmentalize, but something about the case we were looking at today really got to him.”
Taylor’s heart sank. “Where is he?”
“He said he was going home,” Bull told her.
“I’ll just head over there and see if he’s all right,” Taylor said.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Maybe you should give him some time,” Bull said.
Taylor didn’t believe that for a second. When you were alone with your thoughts, they seemed to get uglier. She would know. She’d spent most of her life alone, rehashing all the mean things people had said to and about her. After this last month with Eagle, she knew simply having someone to talk to released so many of those bad thoughts. Even if he didn’t want to talk, she could at least sit with him. Try to make him laugh. Something.
“Okay,” she told Bull, lying through her teeth. “I appreciate you calling to let me know.”
“You’re going to go over there, aren’t you?” he asked.
Taylor pressed her lips together and didn’t answer.
“Fine. But if he says anything out of line, don’t take it personally. He’s not himself.”
“I’m not going to break if he yells,” Taylor replied. “If he needs to let out his emotions, then I’ll be there to take it.”
“If you don’t call me in an hour, I’m coming over there,” Bull warned.
“That’s not necessary,” she protested.
“It is. Eagle’s one of my best friends, but you’re my friend too. I’m not going to let him abuse you or use you as a punching bag just because he’s frustrated.”
And now Taylor wanted to cry. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me. Text or call me, and let me know that you’re both okay. I’m giving you an hour because I’m feeling generous . . . and I think you could be just what he needs. But do not take shit from him. Hear me?”
“I hear you.”
“Good. And Taylor? Thank you.”
“Later,” she told him, already on the move.
“Later,” he said.
Taylor shoved her shoes on and grabbed her purse before heading for the door. She’d been to Eagle’s apartment twice, so she didn’t have to think too hard about where she was going. Instead, she thought about what she was going to say to him. How she was going to help. She had no idea what the case was about, but it had to be bad for Eagle to lose his shit.
She pulled into his parking lot and hurried through the lobby. He lived in a fairly secure building, but the man who worked the desk simply nodded at her as she went by. Taylor had no idea if he was the man Eagle had introduced her to previously, but she didn’t have time to be anything other than grateful he hadn’t stopped her.
She hit the button for the second floor and waited impatiently for the elevator to rise. She practically jogged down the hallway and took a deep breath before knocking on Eagle’s door.
For a second, she didn’t think he was going to answer, but then the door opened, and a tall man was standing there.
He didn’t say anything, just looked at her.
“Eagle?” Taylor said uncertainly. She knew it should be Eagle, but honestly, it could’ve been anyone standing behind his door.
He sighed. “Yeah, Flower, it’s me.”
Taking a deep breath in through her nose, Taylor suddenly decided how she was going to deal with this. She nodded and pushed past a surprised Eagle. She kicked off her shoes, letting him know that she was planning on staying awhile, and headed for the kitchen. She saw a bottle of Jack Daniel’s on the counter and winced. Eagle wasn’t a big drinker; for him to have broken out the booze meant he really was feeling like shit.
She opened a few cabinets until she found what she was looking for. She brought a pan over to the sink and began filling it with water.
“What are you doing?” he asked a little belligerently.
“Making you dinner,” Taylor answered calmly.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Too bad. I am,” she said as unsympathetically as she could. The truth was, she wasn’t sure she could eat anything with the way her stomach was rolling, but she’d do her best.
“Why are you here?”
At that, Taylor looked up and met his gaze. “Because you need me,” she said simply.
She wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say or do, but it wasn’t turning his back on her and striding into his living area to sit on his couch.
Mentally shrugging and deciding that his ignoring her was better than his kicking her out, she continued prepping a simple spaghetti dinner. He had ground beef and a can of sauce. He didn’t have spaghetti noodles, but elbows would work just as well.
He didn’t say a word for the thirty minutes it took to prepare the meal, but after she’d plated everything, set the table, and told him dinner was ready, he got up and came to the table to join her.
Sighing in relief that she hadn’t had to force him to eat—not that she had any idea how she’d do that—Taylor sat next to Eagle. He picked up a fork and began eating unenthusiastically, but eating nonetheless.
She took a second to rest her hand on his thigh under the table and squeeze gently. She wanted him to know she was there for him. He didn’t have to say a damn word, and she would still be there.
He stilled, but Taylor ignored that and removed her hand to reach for her fork. They ate in silence, but she swore that Eagle seemed a little less tense. He even helped bring the dishes into the kitchen when they were finished, but instead of letting her put the plates into the dishwasher, he took hold of her hand and not very gently towed her into the living room. He sat on the couch and pulled her down beside him.