Page 167 of Burning Bridges Duet

He looks at me, his eyes full of sadness and regret.

“I put you in danger,” he sobs.

“It’s not your fault. I know Liam, and I know how manipulative he is, how he can gaslight you into anything,” I insist, holding his gaze. “We’ll figure this out together. I’m not going to let you pay for loving a deranged man. I was there too. Right now, we need to focus on you and Jaxon, and make sure everyone’s okay.” He nods, taking a deep breath.

“Okay,” he says, squeezing my hand. “Let’s get you checked out too.”

He nods to the paramedic, who then comes over again and ushers us into the ambulance, both of us still in shock from what just happened. We’re together, though, and that’s all that matters right now. I only hope Jaxon is going to be ok.

Gunner and I sit in the hospital waiting room, his grip on my hand tight and comforting. Despite the pain in my bruised ribs, a laceration on my temple, and my swollen eye, I’m grateful to be alive. My clothes are ruined, so I’m sitting here in scrubs and Chase’s hoodie that he lent me. Thankfully, Gunner’s wound didn’t require surgery, just a cleaning and some stitches, which is a relief.

We’re both exhausted, physically and emotionally, from everything that’s happened. We’ve been here for hours, waiting for news about Jaxon. Every time the door opens, we both tense up, hoping it’s a doctor with good news, but so far, we’ve heard nothing. The waiting is unbearable. I can feel Gunner’s hand shaking in mine, and I know he’s just as scared as I am. I lean my head on his shoulder, trying to find some comfort in his presence.

River, Chase, and Ryder are at the cafeteria, getting us all a coffee and some food after hours of waiting by my side. Gunner has been quiet since we left the warehouse, lost in his own thoughts. I know he’s blaming himself for what happened, but I can’t let him do that.

“Hey,” I say, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “We’re going to get through this. Jaxon’s going to be okay. We just have to believe that.” He looks at me, his eyes full of pain.

“I hope you’re right,” he says softly.

“I am,” I insist, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “We’re going to make it through this, all of us.”

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the doctor comes in. We both stand up, holding our breath.

“Jaxon Tanner,” he calls loudly.

“We’re with Jaxon,” I say, clutching Gunner’s hand even tighter.

“Mr. Tanner is out of surgery,” the doctor says, looking at us both. “He’s stable, but he has lost a lot of blood. I suspected a punctured lung, but luckily, the bullet only grazed it. He’ll need to stay a while in the hospital and physical therapy afterwards, but we’re hopeful that he will make a full recovery.”

I feel a wave of relief wash over me and nearly fall to my knees. Gunner puts an arm around my waist, supporting me. Jaxon’s going to make it. We’re all going to make it.

Tears of relief are running down my face. I look over at Gunner, and he’s smiling for the first time since this nightmare started, his eyes watering too.

“Thank you,” he says to the doctor. “Thank you so much.”

We make our way out of the waiting room to find the guys, and I can’t help but think about how close we all came to losing each other. We’re still here, though, and we’re going to be okay and, most importantly, together.

EPILOGUE

FIVE YEARS LATER

I weave my way through the sea of people, normally something that would irk me, but today, I can’t help the grin that stretches across my face. The reopening seems to be a massive success.

I approach the front of the stage and spot Chris already there. I’m late, but I have a good excuse. Today was the final meeting for the acquisition of my game. After college, I poured everything into developing it, hiring a team of designers and an additional developer. Chase lent his business and marketing expertise, and our game skyrocketed in popularity. Today, I sold the rights to one of the biggest companies in the industry and will be raking in a shit ton of money.

Now, I can decide whether to make a sequel, develop a new game, or just take some time off to enjoy life with my family. I’m leaning towards the last option for now. I’ll figure out my next move when I get bored. As long as I have them and her by my side, everything will turn out great.

Ryder’s prediction has come true. We’re all so happy, it’s disgusting to watch, which Chris doesn’t hesitate to remind us of every chance she gets, but I don’t care. Life is good, and tonight, we’re going to party like there’s no tomorrow.

“Hey!” I greet her with a hug. She smiles back at me.

“Hey, Mr. Millionaire, how is the air up there?” she says, and I chuckle.

“Oh, shut up, brat, but yeah, it feels good. How are you?”

“Great, I just made it here thirty minutes ago. Jacinda kept me up in my office, if you know what I mean.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and I gag, making her laugh. “It’s my turn to disgust you, so take it like a man.”

I smile, happy to see her again. Chris opened her own therapy practice with a little help from Jaxon and specializes in unconventional relationships. It’s been a huge success, and she already has clients on the waitlist. As she searched for an assistant to help her with all the paperwork and calls, she found Jacinda, and they both say it was love at first sight. Only a year later, and they’re already engaged. We’re so fucking happy for them, and Liv is going to be their bridesmaid, which had her crying happy tears for a whole weekend.