The front door of a nearby house slams open.
“What the fuck is going on?” Tank growls as he steps out.
Abby freezes for half a breath.
Just half.
Then she turns… and I swear I feel the shift…the moment she stops breaking and starts choosing herself.
“I’m ready,” she tells us, ignoring the giant man throwing death glares at us.
“I asked you a question, Abby,” Tank snaps, marching up to the car. “Where. Are. You. Going?”
She lifts her chin. Brave. Beautiful. Heart in shreds, but strong anyway.
“I’m going on a date,” she says confidently. “Spike knows. And Eli and Skip are tagging along.”
Tank’s jaw flexes. A storm is brewing.
“You’re… what?” His voice dips, dangerous.
“A date,” she repeats, even softer this time… but steadier. “Goodbye, Tank.”
She slides into the backseat, eyes shining with unshed tears.
That wasn’t a casual see-you-later.
That was a goodbye to a dream she’s clung to for years.
“Abigail,” Tank orders, voice breaking in a way he probably doesn’t even hear. “Get out of that car.”
I slide in beside her, immediately taking her hand.
“I’m right here,” I whisper. “You’re not alone. You’re safe. And you’re going to be okay.”
“Fucking idiot,” Skip mutters as he shuts my door. I watch through the window as he faces Tank head-on. “You had your chance, Tank. You hadmanychances. Move the hell back so I can take our Princess out to meet her motherfucking Prince.”
Skip rounds the front of the car, and I squeeze Abby’s hand with both of mine.
“I’m proud of you,” I tell her quietly. “You finally put yourself first. And I can’t wait to see your happy ending. No one alive deserves it more than you.”
Abby sniffles, trying to smile but falling apart at the edges.
She loves that giant idiot.
I think she always will.
“One day,” I say as Skip drives us out of the compound, “you’re going to find your prince. Someone who’ll hold you when you wake up from nightmares.”
“That’s what I have you and the girls for,” she laughs lightly. “I always call you guys when I have a nightmare.”
“And we’ll always come,” I smile at her, meaning every word. “Because you’re our friend. Our family. But, Abby… you deserve someone who sleeps at your side. Someone whose arms are already around you when the dream hits. Someone who’ll hold you so tight that those nightmares won’t eventhinkabout coming back.”
She snorts. “I don’t think that’s a real thing.”
I glance at the rearview mirror…and Skip is looking back at me with so much love that it feels like a fist to the chest. Warm. Heavy. Overwhelming in the best way.
“It is,” I whisper. “I promise you… it is.”
