I can sense Tyrell wants to argue this further, but I grip his shirt, giving it a little tug and shaking my head. It’s over. Atlas is gone, and nothing will change that.
He huffs and scowls at the officer. “Can you at least check that he’s not carrying any dangerous drugs on him? Maybe he can get busted for possession or something. And you can charge him for assault while you’re at it. Look at her cheek.” He points at me.
The officer nods. “We will be looking into all of that, I assure you.”
The paramedics arrive, and the officers leave them to it. The one who tends my cheek and makes me look into this flashlight thing a few times before finally relenting is nice. He’s worried about a concussion, but in the end decides it’s mild and hands me two Advil. I down them and hope the effects kick in soon. Nevertheless, he tells everyone around me what to look for over the next few days.
If my headache gets any worse or I start feeling dizzy or nauseous, they have to take me to the hospital. Everyone promises they’ll do exactly that, although I won’t be with any of these people in the next day or two.
Tobin and Jed are flying back to New York tomorrow, I think, and even though Nix has offered to let me stay the night at Darian’s place so I don’t have to drive back to Colorado Springs tonight, I’m still hesitating.
Because the only person I want to be with right now is sitting beside me.
“What do you want to do?” Tyrell softly asks, his voice a husky mumble while everyone else starts discussing my plans for the night.
“I want to get out of here,” I whisper back, then shift my head to look up at him. “Can you take me… somewhere? Anywhere.”
He nods, his brown gaze a gentle caress. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“I was planning on driving back to Colorado Springs.” I wince.
“Maybe you should take Nix up on her offer?”
“Yeah.” I purse my lips. “Maybe.”
His lips curl into a soft smile. “Come on.” He gives me a gentle nudge with his arm. “Let’s at least get out of this place, and I can drop you to her house later.”
“Okay.” A spark of hope skips through me when he rises from his seat, then reaches down to offer me his hand.
I take it, because there is seriously nothing else I want to do right now.
As I rise from my spot on the couch, Tobin catches my eyes, his lips twitching into a grin as he flicks his fingers, ushering us away before anyone else notices.
Within seconds, I get a flurry of texts.
Jed: Tell him you love him.
Nix: You better kiss that boy before the end of the night. Do you want me to wait up for you?
Tobs: I need deets, but they must include - we’re back together!
The only one I respond to is Nix, because she asked me an actual question.
Me: No. You take care of you. I’ll let you know how the rest of my night pans out and if I need a place to crash.
Nix: Fingers crossed it’ll be in his bed!
I wince, the thought making my stomach spasm. I’m a ball of nerves as I amble beside Tyrell. I don’t know where his car is, but I follow him without thought because it’s Tyrell and I trust this man.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks me when we turn down another road. The streetlights illuminate our way, casting long shadows on the sidewalk.
I shake my head but answer, “I’m okay.”
“You don’t have to be brave for me, you know. You can be whatever the fuck you want. You can cry or scream or yell or… not say a damn thing. Whatever you need.”
I smile at that, loving the complete absence of pressure. I can be what I want, and he’ll accept it.
Just like he always does. So accepting. So respectful.
