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MICHAEL
“Ben, stop. You’re making me dizzy.”
I was propped up against half-a-dozen pillows on the couch, my arm in a sling. The TV was on, but I wasn’t watching it. I was watching Ben pace by the front door. Back and forth, back and forth. He didn’t even look up when I spoke.
“Ben.” I tried again, louder, and he finally faced me. “Would you please talk to me? Who was that on the phone?”
He huffed and went to the coffee table, picked up the remote, and turned off the TV. Then he stood there, worry etched on his face. Griff walked in from the kitchen and sat next to me. We both stared up at Ben in silence, waiting.
“Tracy called. She said she wanted to talk to us in person. I told her to come over.”
That woke me up. I hadn’t slept well, even with painkillers. Now Ben had my full attention.
“How did she sound?”
“I couldn’t tell. She kept it short. She did ask about you, though.”
Griff snorted. “That’s something at least.”
He was pissed that Tracy hadn’t stayed with us, hadn’t come to the hospital. It had bothered me too, if I was honest. But I was going to hear her out.
She lived about an hour away. Whatever she was going to say—whether she wanted to be with us or not—the only thing we could do now was wait.
By the time the knock sounded, all of us were on edge. My heart hammered in my chest as Ben opened the door and Tracy walked into our living room.
No one spoke at first. It was awkward as hell.
She looked ragged. Her clothes were rumpled, like she’d just thrown them on, and her hair was still a little damp from a shower. She kept her gaze down, saw our shoes by the door, and kicked off her sneakers. When she looked up and faced me, I could see that her eyes were red from crying.
I wanted to get up and hold her, but I stayed put. We all gave her space to say what she needed to say.
“I’m so, so sorry.” Her voice shook, and her lower lip trembled.
Fuck giving her space.
I was in motion before I could think, grunting as Igot to my feet, a little unsteady. Ben and Griff were moving too, but I was a step ahead.
I closed the distance and wrapped my good arm around Tracy’s shoulders. She stood still, her arms at her sides, tears running down her face. Her gaze was focused on my sling.
“Don’t worry, you can hug me. I won’t break.”
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, her body melted against mine. She gingerly brought her arms around my waist, being careful of my sling, and then squeezed so tight I had to brace myself to keep from falling back a step.
“I was so worried. I should have gone to find you. I should have been with you.”
She shuddered against me, and my shirt was quickly soaked with her tears. I stroked her back.
“Shh. You’re here now. I’m glad you came.”
Other hands joined mine on her back. Griff and Ben stood to either side of her, and together we held her in a close embrace. I could feel through the bond that they were wary, but hopeful.
After a while, her breaths evened out, and the shuddering stopped.
Griff cleared his throat. “Let’s all sit down.”
Tracy nodded against my chest and pulled back. Her face was splotchy, but her tears had dried. She frowned at the wet spot on my shirt, wiping at it. I caught her hand and shook my head.
“No big deal. Here, sit next to me.” I settled on thecouch against the pillows again, and she sat beside me, with Ben and Griff in the side chairs.
