Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

I don’t know anyone who’s been hurt in a car accident. Never witnessed a bad one. But something about this just… shook me.

Next to me, Maddox moves his hand, holding it a few inches away from his side and turning his palm up.

He’s offering his hand to me.

I feel another wave of tears build behind my eyes while I stare down at it.

I shouldn’t take it.

I shouldn’t allow myself to take any comfort from him.

There’s no purpose.

The numbers don’t add up.

There’s no good outcome here.

But… maybe just for a moment.

I lift my hand and slide my palm against his.

Maddox doesn’t stop his conversation with the officer as his fingers close around mine.

It’s such a simple thing.

And yet, it feels like so much.

“Ma’am?” the officer says, like maybe he’s said it before.

I blink up at the cop. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Just asking if you’re alright. You were in the car too, correct?” he asks.

“Yeah, no, I’m okay.” I lift my free hand in a lame wave. “Just kinda stunned.”

The cop nods and goes back to talking with Maddox. I’m too distracted to listen. Too focused on Maddox’s thumb as it slowly traces a circle on the back of my hand.

I’m totally fine.

I take a deep breath.

I don’t need his help.

I exhale.

Okay, just one more minute of comfort.

Lifting my gaze past the bumpers, I see Brandon standing in front of his car with his arms crossed, staring at Maddox. Or rather at our joined hands.

My fingers start to loosen their grip, not wanting to get caught, but Maddox tightens his hold on me.

When I look up at him, he’s still talking to the cop, but he doesn’t loosen his fingers.

“That you with the open door?” the cop asks.

I turn and see he’s referring to Maddox’s car, the driver’s door sitting wide open as it idles in the lane.

“Yeah,” Maddox confirms.