Present Day
Ryan stumbled into the weekly business meeting feeling like he’d been run over. He worked night shift for the fire department and had been up twenty-four hours straight. They had a busy night, and all he really wanted was a shower and his bed, but he was told he had to be there.
Ryan didn’t want coffee since he was going to sleep as soon as he could, but breakfast sounded heavenly. He loaded up a plate and took a seat at a table by himself. The others talked quietly to themselves, and he ignored them all.
Leo walked in a little while after Ryan and sat with him. He didn’t say anything, thankfully, but Ryan felt the weight of his looks.
“What?”
“You look like hell.”
“Thanks.”
“Bad night?”
Ryan shook his head and shoveled another bite of eggs into his mouth. “Busy night,
