“O-okay.” Her voice shaky, I imagine the adrenaline is wearing off for her, too. That her body is tired, and the fear that she was previously feeling is rushing back in.
I sit down on the back of the ambulance with her, pulling her into my arms. Letting her presence soothe my aching chest while mine hopefully calms her down.
“You two ready to get checked out?” Mari asks, coming back toward us.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say to Mari as I stand, she gets us situated in the back, then her partner begins the drive toward Tampa Hospital.
We call Sin on the way there, telling her we’re fine but going to need a ride back to my place. I don’t think she calms until she lays her eyes on us in the waiting room after we’ve been cleared to leave with orders to rest and relax for a few days.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come home tonight?” Sin asks Harley for the thirtieth time as we approach the driveway of my home.
“I want to be with Collins tonight.” She pauses, squeezing my hand reassuringly from the front seat. “I’ll text you when we wake up, that we survived the night. I appreciate you coming to get us.”
“Okay, love you both. Get some rest, stay hydrated.” Sin gives us both a pointed glare before we exit the car. I carry our bags, unlocking the front door, and we’re greeted by displeased purrs from Precious.
“Sorry, Precious. We had some unforeseen events come up tonight. Ready for bed, sweet lady?” Harls asks, scooping my cat off the floor as we head toward my bedroom.
“You can shower first.” I assert, setting our bags on the ground. Harley drops Precious onto the bed before grabbing her duffle and locking herself in the bathroom without a word.
I find myself pulling out my phone and scrolling through old pictures, wishing that my brother were here today. That his death didn’t happen, that we were falling in love together, and that our parents wouldn’t look at me and only see the son they lost. I was at his pro soccer games while he came to my hockey ones. The pain in my chest intensifies, and my eyes clog with tears. This time, I let them fall, knowing that I have a few minutes before Harley rejoins me. Once I hear the shower click off, I wipe away the tears and gather my clothes.
We pass each other silently as I enter and she exits. I quickly wash off, brush my teeth, and then enter the dark and quiet bedroom. The bed dips as I lie down beside Harley, she doesn’t say anything, but I know she’s not sleeping, the lack of her quiet snores and Precious’ contented purring is telling enough.
“Harls…” I say quietly in the dark.
“Yeah?” She whispers back.
“I just want to hold you tonight. Tomorrow we can talk, okay? We both need rest.”
“Okay.” With her confirmation, I wrap my arm around her middle, pulling her into my side. She adjusts her head on my chest before throwing her leg over mine. We lie like this until we succumb to sleep.
I’m suddenly jerked awake by my phone vibrating repeatedly on my nightstand. I check to make sure my movement didn’t frighten Harley, seeing that she turned over in the night, her shoulders slowly rising and falling. I grab my phone to see who’s disturbing me at the ungodly hour of two PM. Oof, last night took it out of us. All of the guys have called at least twice and I can’t bring myself to get up yet, so I text them instead.
Collins
I’m alive, and yes we’re okay. No, I don’t want to talk about it. I just woke up and we’re exhausted.
They know I lost my brother when I was younger, but they don’t know how. Although I imagine my lack of drinking says enough.
Dom
Dude. I thought you were dead. You never sleep this late, Sin told us y’all were fine but needed to see it for myself.
Collins
It wasn’t as bad as it seems.
Tatum
Your car is totaled, bro. That’s bad.
Collins
It’s only totaled because I sped up to avoid Harley getting a direct hit.
Mav
Can we do anything?
