“I’m fine.” The words were muttered around the lip of his mug.
“If at any time you aren’t, it’s okay to talk about it. Either with me or those that care about you.”
“Yup. I know.” I wasn’t the only one who was thinking he wanted to say something else instead of those three words.
Emery
Resting against Enzo, I could barely keep my eyes open. I also didn’t want to move. Ever.
Between the panic attack that made me black out, and then the second anti-anxiety med that Scarlett had told me to take when we got back home, I was more than ready for bed. Or at least a small nap that didn’t require me to move.
Enzo really was a great pillow.
“Come on, sleepy.” I forced my eyes open, coming face to face with Ryker as he knelt before me. “Let’s go take a nap.” He must have seen something in my expression, as his eyes lightened. “All three of us. Together.”
Okay. I could handle that.
I didn’t have the energy to stand, so Ryker picked me up, holding me against his chest. I hummed, wrapping my arms around his neck in a soft hold.
The bath had been amazing, and something I’d do again someday soon, but nothing was as nice as being in this man’s arms. Enzo had taken the time to wash me, keeping me calm and relaxed. I had almost fallen sleep there in the tub, too. But Ryker didn’t need to know that.
Actually, now that I thought about it, being laid on Ryker’s bed, Enzo on one side of me and Ryker on the other, was the best thing ever.
I curled into Enzo, my nose pressed against the column of his throat. Ryker laid behind me, his arm over both of us.
“I like being here.”Between you.
This right here washome.Wherever these two men were, that was where I’d always want to be.
I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else. Today proved that more than any other day had so far.
Words had been spoken over and over, but I hadn’t believed that Enzo and Ryker would have followed through if I spoke that magic word. Some small part of me expected them to simply talk me down, then force me to do whatever my parents wanted.
Of course, I should have known they wouldn’t ever turn their backs on me.
“We like you being here just as much,” Ryker whispered. “You can’t get rid of us that easily, you know. Unless you tell us otherwise. But even then...”
“We love you, baby.”
I felt Ryker relax behind me, and if I had enough energy, I’d have looked to see what he was thinking. But whatever it was, Enzo saw it.
In a low, quiet voice, filled with emotion, Enzo spoke. “You’ve been more to us than anyone ever has been. My parents chose drugs over me, and I learned how to live with just myself. Until Emery, that is. He got me to see things differently. It was then, when I knew I loved him, that we had to find a way out. I just didn’t expect us to get out near death.”
I pressed against Enzo as much as I could, even pushing a leg between his. I may not have had the energy to talk, but I wanted him to know I loved him. That I was here and not going anywhere.
“With nothing else to lose, I didn’t care if I did die or not trying to get out. So, I knew when Emery almost killed me—not of his own doing, of course—it was the only chance for me to get out. To get help. It tore me apart to leave him. I really thought that if I could save him, that was the only way I could do so. I hoped he’d find happiness in the end.”
Enzo paused, breathing in deep and getting back control over his voice. I could hear it cracking, things coming to light more and more.
“I did what I had to do. He knows that.” He pressed a kiss to my head. “I guess what I’m trying to say here is thank you, Ryker. Thank you for taking the time to care for both of us. Thank you for being there for Emery when he needed you. I know he loves you. How could he not? And I love him.”
Another pause. I was almost asleep when Enzo spoke again.
“Don’t break our hearts, Ryker. Please.” A plead. A lost soul crying out to be saved. Just like mine.
“Enzo,” Ryker sighed. His hand moved from around me, and it felt as though maybe he cupped Enzo’s face. Or maybe I was just a tad bit hopeful. “I have no such plans. I’ll have you and Emery for as long as you want me.”
Ryker
