Chapter 38
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Tessa
“Chase?” My voice comes out in a high-pitched squeak.
“In the flesh, Sleeping Beauty.” Andrew scoots over to allow him room to stand beside the head of the bed.
“But you—” I stop, unable to finish the horrible thought.
“Close call,” he raps his knuckles lightly against his chest. “But you aren’t going to get rid of me that easily.” He takes a seat on the edge of the mattress. “Pretty pissed off you scared my boy Drew over here. I mean I knew you were going to come back, but this guy, he was totally freaking out.” His mouth tugs to one side as if to say “yikes” as he points his thumb over to Andrew.
“I’m sorry, for everything. You almost. . . you got hurt because of me.” I pull him against me, wrapping my arms around his neck, I hug him tight, only releasing him when I feel something bulky under his shirt.
“Oh god.” I place my hand lightly over the bandage on his chest, remembering the way he writhed on the floor as blood gushed out of him.
His thumb brushes across my cheek as he wipes away a stray tear. “You kidding me, Reap? Chicks fucking dig scars, I owe you one.” He winks, but I can’t manage to crack a smile.
“Chase. . .” I whisper.
“I know, not funny.” He sighs. “It was a close call, but you bet your ass I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Remember what I said when we came here? I have your back, always, and I’m just so fucking glad you’re okay.” His chest heaves, and he takes my hand into his, gripping it tight as if he needs further confirmation that I’m really here.
“I’m glad too,” I say with more certainty than I feel.
“You remember that conversation about being all domesticated and shit?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
He points to my pregnant belly. “That’s not helping matters.” He smiles.
I swat gently at his bicep. “Yeah, I guess not.” I exhale, not wanting to think about the fact that a life is growing inside me. When it was in danger, I felt something for the baby. I knew I would do anything to protect it, but now. . . now, I just feel dread.
“It must be my lucky day, this isn’t the only good news I’ve been given,” Chase says with a smile. We both look quizzically at him for an explanation. “Dad got caught holding up a minimart cashier at gunpoint, that fucker really hit rock bottom, huh? He’s back behind bars, and this time he’s not going to get out so quickly.”
I brighten and pump my fist into the air. “Hell yes! That is great news, I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Yeah that bastard is finally going to get his just desserts, and—”
An inhuman screech pierces the room and cuts Chase off, making us all turn toward the door.
Blossom stands with eyes as big as saucers as she stares at me, the blood drains from her face. With another strangled noise, she rushes forward, shoves the boys out of her way, and leaps into the bed, her bony arms threatening to crush me.
“Help,” I gasp, looking frantically from Andrew to Chase. Gripping each shoulder, they manage to peel her off.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me she woke up? What the hell is wrong with both of you?” She shoots warning glares at the boys before continuing, “Oh my god, I was so worried about you. Andrew brought you down stairs and then there was all the smoke and you passed out. Even after we got to the hospital, your eyes opened, but you never spoke or anything. You just sat there. How dare you scare us like that? Oh, I can’t believe you were in that dreadful house as a prisoner that whole time, right underneath our noses. And they did god knows what. And THE BABY? How could you—” Chase clamps a hand over her mouth and Blossom looks to him appreciatively.
“It’s good to see you too.” I laugh, trying hard not to cry again. I suppose that could be these fucking baby hormones. It’s all so overwhelming, but there’s nowhere else I would rather be than with the three people I love most in this world.
Tears spill from Beth’s eyes, and I lose the fight to contain mine. “You’re okay, really okay?” she whispers.
“I’m okay.”
“I missed you so much.”
“I missed you more.” My voice is thick with emotion when I address them all. “Thank you, guys. I don’t think. . . I wouldn’t have made it out of that place if you. . .”
Andrew shakes his head for me to stop. “You’d already escaped that room all by yourself, didn’t you? You are so goddamn strong. With or without us, you would still be here today.”
“If anything, we got in the way of your escape.” Chase chuckles lightly.
“No,” I say firmly. “I wasn’t in the right state of mind. You guys fucking saved me.” I look at each of them. “Not just from that shit either, you’ve all saved me in one way or another in my life, so thank you.”
Chase nods solemnly. Andrew leans forward to press a kiss against my forehead, and Blossom wraps herself around me, her arm resting just above my little bump.
A comfortable silence falls over us. I send out a silent thank you to the universe for each defining moment that brought us together to form this powerful bond. No matter the trials or tribulations, we will always have each other.
I close my heavy eyes as exhaustion creeps up to steal me away.