stopped at another light. “What am I doing? Huh?” He looked over at Duke and the dog cocked his head at Killian. “I mean, seriously, why am I driving to her house? It’s not like we’re dating, or hell… even friendly.” He put on his blinker and merged into the exit lane to take the expressway.
Duke barked at a semi-truck as they passed it. Killian sighed. “I’ll just go over and make sure she’s okay. See if she needs anything.”
Duke whined and Killian glanced over. “She’s going to be family, kind of. It’s the right thing to do.” The dog cocked his head again. “Don’t overthink it, Duke. It is what it is, and no, I don’t know what it is, so don’t give me that look.”
The dog barked at him and turned to watch the cars they passed. He exited and slowed down to a stop, joining a long line of cars heading home for the evening. At this rate, he’d make it to her condo in time for the ten o’clock news. He tapped his finger against the steering wheel. Why was he doing this? Why? The picture of her perfect ass flipped through his mind and he dismissed it immediately. Sure, she was beautiful and aggravating, but it was the tenacity she displayed when going after corrupt individuals that really drew him to her. She had a passion for her job, just like he did. It was probably the only common element they had. Well, besides Duke. And good food. And a strong work ethic. Shit. He actually liked her, even admired her to an extent. Damn it. This was not good. She was not his type. At all.
Finally, breaking free from the main streets, he worked his way to her condo. Just because you like her doesn’t mean you like her. He nodded to himself. Right? He could do friends. Friends could work. Maybe.
He parked the truck in a visitor’s slot and released Duke from his restraint, calling him to heel. Together, they walked up to the door. He hesitated and Duke sat, looking up at him expectantly. “Fine, but it’s your fault,” he told the dog as he knocked at the door. There was no response from inside and he was just about to leave when the lock on the inside of the door rattled. Bekki held a cloth to her face and stared up at him. “Why are you here?” The words were muffled.
“To check on you. I saw the report tonight.”
Bekki groaned and turned, leaving the door open. He followed her in with Duke trotting after her. The dog dropped its head into her lap as soon as she folded into the corner of her couch. “My mother just left. I have a headache; she didn’t make it any better.”
“Your mom is wonderful. What did the doctor say?” Killian reached for the cloth covering her face. Whatever it was wrapped around wasn’t even cold anymore. He took it away without any argument from her. She closed her eyes. Without the cloth covering the side of her face the swelling and bruising in all their glory were flying proudly.
“If you ever experienced Hover Mother, you would change your mind.”
He chuckled as he unwrapped the bag of now-unfrozen corn. “Hover Mother?”
“A helicopter parent. One of the originals.” Bekki stuck her hand in the air with her pointer finger up and made a fast circle.
“Right, it could be far worse than having a mother care that deeply for you.” He walked into her kitchen and tossed the corn onto the counter while he opened the freezer portion of her refrigerator. There was practically nothing in it. He opened her fridge and blinked. Just as barren. “What happened to your food?”
“We ate it, and I haven’t been shopping. Stop making me feel inadequate.” He leaned back and watched as Duke snuck up on the couch and laid down beside Bekki. She buried her fingers in his fur and stroked him.
He asked again, “What did the doctor say?”
“I’m going to live. Use ice for swelling, over-the-counter pain relievers for aches and pains. I have a slight concussion, but not enough to admit me. I want some wine. Why are you here again?”
“What have you taken for pain relief, and I’m here to check up on you.”
“Two acetaminophen when I got home at about two. That’s weird, isn’t it? I mean, you checking up on me?”
“Don’t think too hard about it. I’m not.” He glanced at his watch. It