Emery
Slowly, the world came back to me. I did nothing more than breathe Ryker in, letting his coffee and mint scent keep me calm. My face was pressed into his neck, his arms wrapped around me.
One of my hands was being held in another grasp, fingertips massaging into my palm, keeping me from fully waking up. Or maybe that was just my imagination.
“It’s his way of protecting himself.” Scarlett’s voice was low, almost a whisper, but there all the same. “He’ll come back when he’s ready.”
As I tried to remember where I was, or what had happened exactly, more voices spoke. I didn’t catch what was said. I only knew it was Enzo and Ryker talking.
“Neither of you knew this would happen, but it’s not unexpected.” Scarlett again.
“He’ll be okay, right?” Enzo this time.
“Yes. Just give him time to sort things out in his mind.”
On another pass of fingers along my palm, I folded my hands around the pressure. It was enough to let whoever it was know that I was here. Awake…ish.
“We’ve got you, baby,” Enzo whispered, squeezing back.
I hummed. I was comfy. Mostly.
“Drink, Emery.” A cold water bottle was put into my hand. I didn’t have the energy to bring it up to my mouth, so someone helped me do it.
It wasn’t water. Cold, sweet juice touched my tongue.
“The sugar will help.” Scarlett must have seen my expression somehow. Or maybe she just knew.
After a few swallows, the drink was taken away, and I relaxed more into Ryker. After a few seconds, I let out a deep breath. I knew I needed to face the world again, even if I didn’t exactly want to.
Opening my eyes took more work than it should have. The sun was bright, causing me to blink rapidly against it.
“Hey, sugar.” Ryker pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Welcome back. You had us scared there for a moment.”
“Sorry.” The word was raspy.
“There’s nothing to apologize for.” I turned my head just enough to see Scarlett kneeling in front of me. “It’s not your fault.”
For once, I believed her. I couldn’t help it. This time, it was totally out of my control.
I flickered my gaze to Enzo. His eyes were red, as though he had been crying for me the entire time. I wanted to wrap myself in his arms, but then I’d lose Ryker.
Instead, I lifted a hand to his cheek, the same hand he must have been massaging for who knew how long. He leaned into my touch, slipping his eyes closed at the contact.
I was tired of hurting. Tired of making those around me worry.
Enzo’s hand cupped my own, holding me against his face. For one small second, I felt whole. Loved. Cared for.
“Can I keep you?” The words were out before I even knew what I was trying to say.
Enzo must have known what I meant, even though the words weren’t exactly all that clear in my mind. The sweetest smile I had ever seen from him lifted the corners of his lips. His eyes were bright with something much more than love and adoration.
“You have all of me, Emery Ray Matthews.”
Scarlett cleared her throat, gaining our attention. It took a moment for me to drop my hand from Enzo’s face before turning to her.
I shrugged as well as I could against Ryker. I glanced up at him, seeing something similar to Enzo’s expression. It wasn’t the first time he'd looked at me like that.
“Emery?” Slowly, my eyes went back to Scarlett. “Do you think you can listen for a moment?” I nodded. I’d try at least. My mind wasn’t wanting to. She must have known, because she gave me a small smile in understanding. “Your parents would like one more chance. But It's up to you if you give them that or not.”
