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Dad nodded. “I get it.”
“So…” I licked my dry lips. “Would it be okay if I just saw my brothers and sister?”
“Fuck yes.” He leaned down and gently kissed my temple where I’d been sliced. “Be back.”
When Dad left, Mum pulled over a chair to sit beside the bed. She took my hand in both of hers. “It’s a bit crowded out there, so it’ll be good your dad sends everyone off.”
I gave her a tight-lipped smile and nodded. Weariness suddenly took over. Shifting my gaze up to the ceiling, I had to blink rapidly as more tears formed at the thought of John.
All I could think was how unfair it was to lose such an amazing man.
“You’ll be okay, sweetie.” Mum ran her fingers over my hand.
“I-I don’t know if I could go back to… I wouldn’t be able to—”
“Hey, work is not something you need to worry about right now. Let’s just take each day as it comes. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to do.”
Roughly, I wiped at my eyes and drew in a shaky breath as I nodded.
The door opened, and in flew Ruby and Drake. Mum pushed back in time for Ruby to take her place while Drake stood on my other side. Ruby’s bottom lip trembled. She leaned in, and I reached out to cup the side of her face. Her tears fell as my eyes filled once more. Ruby bent further and placed her forehead against my shoulder. I put my hand around the back of her head and held her close.
“I’m all right,” I whispered, choked.
“Fuck,” Drake clipped, and when I looked at him, he spun his back to me. I didn’t miss his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Dad stepped up to him and gripped his shoulder.
“Drake, come here,” I said softly.
“Give me a sec.” His tone was tight.
“Drake.”
He turned my way, and I caught a glimpse of anger in his gaze before he leaned in and clasped his hands around my upper arm to then push his face into my shoulder. “Fuck.”
Dad cleared his throat. “Cody will be in soon.”
Nodding, I kissed the top of Drake’s head and then Ruby’s. “Guys, I’m okay.”
Drake sniffed and straightened. “If that guy was still alive, I’d fuckin’ kill him myself.”
“Drake, language,” Mum tried from where she leaned against Dad, though it wasn’t her usual peeved or annoyed tone when Drake slipped up and swore.
“You’d have to get in line, kid.” My gaze swung to the door where Cody stood. His jaw clenched, nostrils flared, and the anger I saw in Drake’s eyes burned brighter in my other brother’s.
With a weak smile, I said, “I’m okay.”
Cody’s jaw tightened again. “Bullshit,” he clipped. “But youwillget there.”
My bottom lip trembled. “I will.” Hopefully.
“Kids, let’s hit the road,” Dad stated.
Ruby whispered in my ear, “I’m sorry this happened, but I’m here, always. If you need anything, just ask.”
I kissed her forehead. “Thanks, sis.”
Drake cleared his throat. “Not sure if I messed up, but I panicked and let Mr Nareen know you were here.”
“Drake,” I breathed as anxiety gripped my chest.
