and I followed. Once we were outside next to an old pickup truck, he doubled over and braced his arms on his knees as he struggled for breath.
I rubbed his back as he heaved, at a total loss for words. Based on looks alone, I’d say his mother was telling the truth. I could barely process it myself, let alone begin to imagine what was going through Holt’s mind.
It wasn’t long before he stood, a vacancy in his eyes. He stabbed a key into the passenger side door lock and yanked the door open. I climbed inside the cab. He jogged around the front and slammed the door behind him.
He dropped the keys twice as he tried to put them in the ignition. I scooted closer and touched his thigh. He stared at my hand a moment before he made another attempt, this time successful.
We peeled out and barreled away from town into the darkness. Tremors wracked his body as he gripped the steering wheel. Helpless, I ran circles over his jeans with my thumb. His knuckles grew whiter the longer we drove.
* * *
He turned off the main road down a dirt drive flanked with evergreens. A cabin with a single porch light on came into view.
Without a word, he parked and jumped out of the truck, leaving the door open behind him. I exited on his side and shut it as he unlocked the front door of the house and disappeared inside.
I followed. A spot near the fireplace illuminated by the moon was the only light. The click of the lock echoed in the silence. I wrapped my arms around my middle and shivered. Holt stood in the center of the room, shoulders hunched, keys at his feet.
I moved until I was in front of him. I slid my arms around his waist and rested my head against his chest. His heart thudded in my ear, an erratic pounding.
We stood like that for what felt like an eternity, yet not long enough.
He lifted his arms and enveloped me so tight in them I could barely breathe. He dropped his cheek to the top of my head. Eventually, his rapid breathing slowed.
A phone rang from his front pocket, but neither of us moved. Mine started from across the room where I’d dropped my purse. There was only a beat of silence before they began to ring in tandem.
“We should let them know we’re safe,” I whispered.
He made no move, so I fished his phone from his pocket and answered.
“Where are you?” Andrew’s desperate voice boomed in my ear.
“He’s safe,” I said.
“Baker?”
“Now isn’t a good time.”
“I need to talk to him.”
Holt didn’t move.
“Tomorrow,” I said, fisting his shirt in my hand. “Let’s all take a breath and regroup tomorrow.”
Andrew let out a frustrated sigh. “Okay. Just . . . tell him I love him.”
“I will.” I gripped the phone. “How’s your dad?”
“Not speaking. I—this is such a mess.”
“But you’ll get through it because you have each other.”
“Yeah. Don’t forget to tell him what I said.”
“I won’t.”
I ended the call and dropped his phone on the coffee table.
“Andrew said to tell you he loves you.”
Holt stopped breathing for a second before he scooped me into his arms. He carried me up to the loft bedroom and gently laid me on the bed.
“I’m going to wash my face. Help yourself to a T-shirt."
He disappeared into the bathroom, but didn’t shut the door. I spotted his bag on the floor and grabbed a T-shirt from inside. I breathed in deep, the scent of Holt enveloping me as I changed into it.
The toilet flushed. The faucet ran and stopped.
“I left a clean towel on the sink if you need it,” he said when he reappeared.
“Thanks.” I quickly washed up and flipped off the light.
I felt my way to the bed and crawled on top of the covers. Holt’s scent assaulted me again, minus the hint of motor oil. Longing filled me.
Holt stripped down to his boxer briefs and climbed under the covers. I snuggled against him. His arm went around me, and he tucked my head under his chin.
“This is the first time I’ve felt right in days.”
Me too.
“Holt.”
“Don’t say it, Easy. I know why you’re here. Because you’re good.” He twirled a strand of hair around his finger. “You’ll stay until you think I’m okay, even though you’re pissed as hell at me. Which is more than I deserve, considering.”
I drew circles on his chest. “Holt—”
He pressed his fingers against my lips. “Shh.