The thought makes me smile. That sounds exactly like Maddie.
"I should let you rest," Dice says, moving toward the door. "Need anything before I go?"
I shake my head, then wince at the movement. "Just answers eventually. About what happens next."
"We'll figure it out," he promises again. "Together."
After he leaves, I lie back, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of everything. My brother and my best friend together. Walsh dealt with but not before he nearly killed me. A prison nurse turned guardian angel watching over me.
The door opens again, and I expect Dice returning with something he forgot to tell me. Instead, it's Rebecca. She approaches the bed with a hesitant smile.
"Too tired for company?" she asks.
"Never for you," I reply truthfully.
She sits in the chair Dice vacated, looking more relaxed than before. "How was your talk?"
"Enlightening. Apparently my brother and best friend are an item now."
Rebecca's eyebrows raise. "Really? That's... unexpected."
"You're telling me. But they seem happy, so..." I shrug slightly, then grimace at the pain the movement causes.
"Careful," she cautions, leaning forward to adjust my pillows. "Your body's been through significant trauma. Every movement will hurt for a while."
"Noted," I say, breathing through the discomfort. When it passes, I ask, "Dice said you've barely left this room for two days."
Her cheeks color slightly. "You needed monitoring. Infection risk was high."
"Is that the only reason?" I press gently.
Our eyes meet, and the professional mask she wears slips just slightly. "No," she admits quietly. "Not the only reason."
Something warm blooms in my chest, something that has nothing to do with pain or fever. "Thank you," I say. "For staying. For everything."
She smiles, a real smile that transforms her face. "You're welcome."
For a moment, we just look at each other, a hundred unspoken things passing between us. Then she stands, professional mode returning.
"You should rest," she says, checking my IV. "Your body needs it."
I catch her hand before she can move away. "Rebecca."
She pauses, looking down at our joined hands.
"I'm glad you're here," I tell her. "I know this isn't what you signed up for, and I'm sorry for that. But selfishly, I'm glad you're here."
Her fingers tighten around mine briefly. "Strangely enough," she says, "so am I."
She gently disengages her hand and moves toward the door. "Sleep," she instructs. "I'll be back to check on you in a bit."
After she leaves, I close my eyes, feeling the pull of exhaustion. My body aches, my future is uncertain, and I'm a wanted man. But somehow, with Rebecca nearby and my brother and Maddie close, I feel something I haven't felt in a very long time.
I feel home.
Chapter 8 - Rebecca
Four days have passed since we arrived at the Outlaw Order clubhouse. Four days of checking vital signs, changing bandages, administering medication, and watching James grow stronger hour by hour. Four days of learning a new rhythm to my days, so different from the structured hospital shifts I'm used to.
