The laughter inside the house didn't sit right with me. Because there was an empty chair at the table.
Ian's chair.
I pushed back from the counter, ignoring Jasper's rant, and grabbed my jacket.
"I'll check on him," I muttered.
Mrs Everhart looked up immediately. "Thank you, Dominic."
I nodded and slipped outside.
The porch light was on, casting a dull yellow glow over the steps.
Ian was sitting on the steps, with his elbows on his knees, staring at nothing.
He didn't look up when I sat beside him.
The step creaked.
He exhaled sharply. "If you're here to tell me to calm down…."
"I'm not," I said quickly. "I'm here to sit."
That shut him up.
For a while, we just stared out at the dark street, listening to the crickets.
"You gonna punch Jasper later," I asked quietly, "or should I book the appointment now?"
Ian let out a breath.
"He doesn't know when to shut up."
"Never has."
"You okay?" I asked softly.
He didn't answer immediately.
