“I can’t believe this is happening. I’m so sorry, Sawyer,” Anastasia says, her voice cracking beneath the weight of emotion.
“Hey, it’s not your fault.” I reach out with my good hand, and Anastasia takes it with hers. “Anastasia said Weston and Ryker pulled us away before the second blast.”
“You can start calling me a Super Tank,” Ryker announces as he and Weston stroll into the room. Both men look absolutely exhausted, even as they’re both standing straight, their shoulders squared.
Not much rattles Cowboy and Tank. And for that, I am immensely grateful.
“I’m changing your ringtone as soon as I get a new phone,” I tell him. “‘Holding Out For A Hero’ seems like a great choice.”
Ryker grins.
Even Weston looks amused. “We’re happy you’re alive, Cable Guy.”
“Yeah, me, too.” I squeeze Anastasia’s hand gently, but she still looks completely broken by what happened. How can I get her to see that it’s okay? That none of this is her fault?
“Your place is leveled,” Weston says. “That second explosion even took out the windows on Anastasia’s place. We got those boarded up by the way,” he adds toward her.
“Thanks.”
“Yeah,” he replies.
The door opens again, and Zane walks in alongside Tessa and Momma Knox, who is carrying a duffel bag.
“Now it’s a party,” I say. “It’s good to see everyone.”
“It’s good to see you awake,” Zane tells me. “Seriously, Brother.”
“Good to be seen.” I turn toward Linda, who has placed a hand gently on Anastasia’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” she tells me with tears in her eyes. “Your actions saved my baby girl.”
“I won’t ever let anything happen to her,” I say. “Ever. You don’t need to thank me for it.”
“I know, honey. But I will still thank you every day for the rest of my life.” She smiles then releases Anastasia to pat my head. “You take care of yourself, too, Sawyer. What will I do without my lunch date?”
I grin. “You’d better not replace me. I’ll be back. Good as new.”
She laughs. “You are one of a kind, Sawyer. There’s no replacing you. Honey, I brought those things you asked for, and Axel is sleeping soundly at my house. Is there anything else you need?”
Anastasia shakes her head. “Thanks, Momma.”
“Of course. If either of you needs anything, you call.” She shifts her gaze from Anastasia to me, then back to her daughter again.
“We will,” I assure her.
“Good.” She turns to the others. “I am making a massive dinner at my house to feed everyone helping with the explosion. Be there or not, up to you. There will be leftovers,” she adds with a wink in my direction.
“I’m already fragile, Momma Knox. Not being included might be what breaks me.”
Linda smirks. “Somehow I think your heart is going to heal just fine.”
Anastasia stands and gives her mom a hug, then accepts one from Tessa, who whispers something in her ear that has the hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
When she steps aside, Zane moves in and wraps his arms around his sister.
I can see how she crumbles against him. How he holds her up until she puts herself back together again. It’s a type of support I never had growing up, but I promise to never be anything but that sturdy rock for Anastasia. Someone else she can turn to in moments of crisis.
“Rest up, Cable Guy,” Zane says, then turns and leaves the room with his wife and mother.
