Page 60 of Yours on the Canvas

I clutch my chest in relief. Thank fuck. Finn.

He steps inside holding a brown paper bag and three coffees, Eli standing just behind him.

“Oh, Jack…” Finn’s voice cracks, concern flooding his face as his eyes fill with tears. He sets the bag and the coffees on the table beside the bed, then moves closer. I can see it in his shoulders, in the way he breathes. He wants to hug me.

I force myself to open my arms. I lock down the panic and let him in.

“Softly, okay.”

He nods, tears spilling as he folds himself into my arms. His hold is gentle, careful, like he thinks I might break.

Eli stands beside the bed with a small smile, watching Finn wrap himself around me.

“He was worried. He came screaming into the Emergency Department yesterday morning, demanding to see you, and threatening everyone that his Lumberjack will deal with them, if they didn’t let him see you. I had to call Deck to come and remove him.”

“They wouldn’t let me see you,” Finn sniffs quietly, and I tighten my arms around him. “I was so scared, Jack.”

“I know. I needed to get to you.” My body starts to tremble under Finn’s touch, the fear from yesterday still sitting under my skin.

I pull back and Finn steps away, knowing I’ve hit my limit. Eli drags a chair over and sits, leaning forward with his forearms resting on his knees.

“First things, first. Do we need sugar and coffee first? I think you might need it, Yours is decaf. Eli wouldn’t let me get you real coffee” Finn says, rolling his eyes.

I huff a laugh. Even with everything going on, he still reaches for food and coffee.

“Sure. Why not.” I am grateful for the pause.

Eli and I watch as Finn pulls out the biggest donuts I have ever seen. He hands me one, then passes me my coffee. So, I can have sugar, but not coffee. Right, that makes total sense.

We settle, and I sip quietly. The donut can wait as my stomach isn’t ready for food.

“So, talk.” Finn’s voice leaves no room for argument. Eli laughs softly and shakes his head at him.

“What?” Finn looks between us. “I want to know why. What was so urgent you left with no shoes and ran down the street in your pajama bottoms before collapsing and passing out in the middle of the street. What happened, Jack?”

The heart monitor beside me beeps too fast. I glance at it, frowning, frustration rising at the noise.

Eli reaches over and switches it off, giving me a small smile.

I sink back into the pillow, my coffee forgotten. Frustration and anger knot tight in my chest.

“My dad and uncle found me again. This time they came into Silas’ house.”

“What do you mean they came into the house? Did you let them in?” Finn’s voice grows louder, anger sharpening each word.

I shake my head. “Of course not, I don’t know how they got in. I was rinsing my mug and then suddenly the door was opening and they were walking in.”

Eli leans forward, resting his hand on the bed near my leg.

“Did they touch you?” Eli asks.

I shake my head and look between him and Finn. “No.”

Tears start falling as I pull in a deep breath, bracing myself. “They threatened Hale.” I look at Eli, then Finn. “And you.”

Finn’s whole body tenses. “Threatened me? Hale?”

I nod. “He said you might take a bad fall down a flight of stairs, and that accidents happen all the time. I was terrified they were heading to you, so I ran. I don’t even remember leaving. All I knew was that I had to get to you.”