Calculated Risk (Triumph Over Adversity #1) - Lynn Shannon Page 0,4
in another place, she would’ve been interested in dating Jason. But not now. Friendship was all she could offer. Although Addison longed to one day fall in love again, it seemed an impossible leap. Her heart was still too bruised and broken from her shattered marriage.
Jason tucked his hands in his pockets and tilted his head toward the exit. “Why don’t we get you home?”
She nodded, exhaustion seeping into her aching muscles. It’d been a long night. She wanted a shower and her bed, in that order. Addison already knew she’d be sore tomorrow. Her throat felt raw and her ankle throbbed.
Jason offered his arm. “Lean on me. It’ll take the pressure off your injured ankle.”
She smiled her thanks and slipped a hand in the crook of his arm. Heat radiated from his skin through the soft shirt. The muscle was hard under her palm, and a jolt of attraction arced through Addison. She tamped it down.
“Addison,” a voice called out.
She turned. Detective Trevor Whitman strolled toward her from the ER. His sandy blond hair bounced with the force of his gait, and his mouth was tight with worry. Addison groaned inwardly. Trevor’s family was good friends with hers, and Addison’s mother had been trying to set her up with the detective for ages.
“What are you doing? Didn’t the nurses tell you I was coming?” Trevor wrapped his arms around her. “Your mom called and told me what happened. I immediately requested to be made lead on the case and the chief agreed.”
Fabulous. Her mom was matchmaking all the way from Florida. Addison had called her parents from the emergency room because her cell phone was damaged during the attack. They would worry if they couldn’t reach her. She also hadn’t wanted them to hear about the attack through the grapevine. Her parents had moved to Florida last year, but they kept in close contact with many of their friends in Knoxville.
“First, I’m fine.” Addison detangled herself from Trevor’s embrace. His heart was in the right place, but she’d sensed for a while Trevor was romantically interested in her. Addison didn’t want to encourage the notion. “Second, I specifically told my mom not to call you. I don’t want to put you in an awkward position with your colleagues. I know detectives can be territorial about their cases.”
“Nonsense. Your mom is concerned, and rightly so. It only makes sense I should be in charge of the investigation, given how close our families are. I’ve already spoken to Chief Walters. The matter is settled.”
She debated arguing, but it seemed childish and silly. It was smart to have Trevor on the case. He would do his best to watch out for her, and after tonight, Addison was in no position to refuse the help.
Trevor’s gaze shot to Jason. Addison belatedly realized she’d never introduced the two men.
“This is Jason Gonzalez.” She gestured toward the former Marine. “He’s my neighbor, and the one who rescued me. Jason, this is Trevor Whitman. We grew up together, and our families are close.”
Trevor smiled, but it was tight at the edges. No doubt he’d seen Addison holding Jason’s arm and misinterpreted the touch. Jealousy didn’t look good on him. Still, the detective held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Jason. Thank you so much for helping our girl.”
She bristled at the endearment and his possessive tone, but discussing it wasn’t an option at the moment. Addison wouldn’t embarrass Trevor in front of Jason, especially since the two men literally just met.
Jason seemed to sense her tension. He shook Trevor’s hand, but his brow furrowed. “I’m glad I was in the right place at the right time. God’s providence.”
“Right.” Trevor dropped Jason’s hand and wrapped an arm around Addison before planting a kiss on the top of her head. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Addy.”
Her heart softened at the catch in his voice. Trevor might push her buttons, but it wasn’t something he did intentionally. Since the truth about her marriage came out, Trevor and her family treated Addison with kid gloves. As though she couldn’t make good decisions on her own and needed their protection and interference.
It was well-intentioned, but it grated all the same.
She gently pulled away from his embrace. “Trevor, I appreciate that you came down here, but I’m exhausted. Jason is going to give me a ride home, and we should be going.”
“You don’t need to catch a ride with him, Addy. I’ll give you a lift home.”
“No, that’s okay. Jason’s