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Josh’s throat tightened. This was really happening. He hadn’t expected to feel this terrified.

“Dale, this is my sister, and this is my boyfriend.”

Josh and Nadia raised their hands, and Dale waved back. “So cool, huh? This is so cool. You’re so effing cool! I got to call my granddad.”

“I need to get—” Tyler looked at his sister. “Back in a sec.”

He turned to Josh, clasping his hand tightly. “Walk with me?”

Josh did. Tyler led them back to the car.

They moved slowly toward the cargo vans and Nadia’s hidden car, the rumble of planes in the distance underscoring each step. Josh tried to memorize the exact shape of Tyler’s grip, the slight brush of his shoulder, the sweet crinkle of his eyes.

Tyler popped open the door, pulled out his big duffel, and plopped it on the roof before he stopped and looked at Josh. He gave a big sigh.

Josh steeled himself and stepped even closer.

“I don’t uh… I’m not sure I’m going to be able to say what I need to, so I need you to just assume that I said all the things I should have.”

Josh nodded, not trusting his own voice.

“I love you, Joshua Ayres.” His voice broke then. He blinked, bent, and kissed Josh firmly on the mouth, holding their lips together for a long breath. “Every bone in my body, every beat of my heart is just me loving you.”

Josh wiped his eyes. “Me too.”

“I still don’t know just how you did it, but you put my busted ass back together. You got my heart beating right for once. I can do this. I promise.”

“I know you can.” He pressed a hand to Tyler’s chest.

“We can. You’re not allowed to worry about me, okay? I’m a cinder block. I’m a boot. These dummies can’t even chip my paint.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Josh nodded. “And if you need me there, you better say. I just don’t want to get in your way.”

“We’ll make this work.” Tyler drew back, eyes shining. “I promise.”

Josh kissed him then, a slow, soft brushing of their mouths that lasted as long as he could make it. He savored the scratch of Tyler’s cheek and the adamant solidity of his body. “Awful.”

Tyler nodded. “Worse.”

He looked up. “I don’t care what it takes. I don’t care what it costs, you come back the second you can. You call me the minute you want. Day or night. Anything, anywhere. I can get anyplace you need me to be.”

“Trust me—” He held up his big index finger and dragged a cross over his heart. “—X marks the spot.”

Josh nodded.

“Okay, then.” With another tight squeeze, Tyler walked back to Nadia and Dale and his cart. He raised his voice to them. “All set?”

Dale beamed at him. He lifted Tyler’s bag onto the edge of the trailer but didn’t slide it into place. “We’re golden, Mr. Fantana.”

“Tyler.” He shook the guy’s hand with firm gratitude. “Anyone who saves my life and protects my family calls me Tyler.” He winked and walked to the back of the trailer.

“Thanks”—Dale blushed and climbed back into the driver’s seat—“uhh, Tyler.”

“Don’t get stupid.” Nadia looked up at her brother and nodded. He nodded back. “If you let them hurt you again, I’m going to drag my butt to San Diego and do something nasty to those pricks. I mean really gross. I’ll make Josh help, and we’ll both end up in real jail.”

Tyler hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “Take care, huh? And tell Poops I’m sorry I ran off like this.”

Nadia’s face got tight, but she didn’t cry.