Rage boiled inside me. What if the security guard hadn’t come along? Shit, I couldn’t stand to even let my mind go there but I would be forever thankful for that man.
“I don’t think they are going away, Lyric. And I can’t lose you.” She sniffed and swiped at the moisture on her cheeks.
I wasn’t going to make the same mistakes I had. And we would be more careful until we got to the bottom of who was out to get her and why.
“You’re not going to lose me, sweetheart. And I am not going to lose you either.”
“B-but he said I wouldn’t see my family again and he would k-kill you.” Her broken words ripped my heart apart.
I leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Baby, that’s not going to happen.”
“P-promise?” She stared at me with her liquid-filled brown eyes.
“I promise, Red.” This time I kissed her lips softly.
“I want to go home. That’s all I was thinking about. Getting home to you, Autumn and everyone.” She clung to my hand and her eyes pleaded with me.
“We will, baby. Rest for a few and I will take you home soon.” At that, her eyes shut and a small sigh left her lips.
She wasn’t alone about wanting to go home. All day, even while I was with the guys, I couldn’t stop thinking about getting home to Ruby and the others. I also wanted to tell her the news about the job change but that would have to wait until she was more comfortable. I knew Ruby worried about me changing my life for her but that’s what couples did. It’s what people in love did.
And I was head over heels in love with Ruby.
ChapterTwenty-Two
RUBY
I was not usedto being fussed over.
Well, that was until Lyric came into my life.
Usually, it was me pushing someone to freedom from the hospital. And there were times one didn’t need to be wheeled out either, such as myself, but when you had a stubborn boyfriend things changed.
“I don’t need a ride,” I grumbled.
“Yes you do. Just go with it, Red. I want to take care of you.” He paused at the doors before turning out of my room and kissing the top of my head.
My heart melted at his words and actions, but I’d be damned if I was going to tell him that.
“I work here, not you. They should listen to me.” I blew out a breath and he laughed. “How did you schmooze everyone into listening to you?”
“It’s my charm, sweetheart.” I couldn’t see his face since he was behind me pushing the wheelchair but I could practically hear the smirk in his tone.
If only it wasn’t true I could argue with him. I may still have tried but we reached the waiting area and my eyes caught sight of the mass of people.
People who were there for me.
I witnessed the treasure of friendship a few times with this group when a few ended up in the hospital and I’d been jealous. It wasn’t something I’d ever had.
Now I did.
And as much as I wished that none of the beautiful people, crazy people who stood waiting to make sure I was okay had ever gotten hurt, I hated to think if they hadn’t then I’d never had met them.
Because I couldn’t fathom my life without Lyric or any of them.
I smiled. “You guys.” Too touched to say much else, that was all I managed to get out. Right as I was about to push through the emotions swirling inside me and try to say more, Autumn squirmed in Summer’s lap and ran toward me.
When she reached my legs, she threw her hands in the air.
