“We’re both going to be fine. Don’t worry about me, baby girl.” There’s so much blood smeared down his face, from a blow I know came from that fucker, John.
“Did you see who hit you?”
“Yes, but we don’t need to think about that right now. All you have to focus on is getting better.”
I’m dipping in and out of consciousness, only catching every other word. “John.” It’s all I manage before the darkness takes me.
“He’s been arrested.”
Agony pulses in my left arm, and it’s so stiff I can’t move it.
“Dulip is gone.”
I try to open my eyes, but it’s as if they are weighed down with lead. I can hear Ryder talking with someone. I think it’s Flex.
“Bro, we need to stop meeting like this. Our friend group attracts way too much crazy.”
“I agree.” My voice doesn’t even sound like my own, probably from the smoke inhalation.
“Aspen?” Ryder’s hand slips into mine. “Say something again. I might be fucking hearing things at this point.”
“Hi…” It’s all I manage before my throat is too dry to speak. I look to Flex, his genuine smile warming my heart. I love that he’s here for Ryder.
“I’ll go grab you some water while you two catch up.” He disappears out the door, leaving me with a very much here and alive Ryder. A sob escapes my chest, clawing its way up my throat as I take him in.
“I can get the doctor.” He stands to move, but I hold tighter to his hand, beckoning him to stay with me. “Talk to me, baby girl. What do you need?”
“I’m so sorry about our fight,” I whisper as loud as my voice will go right now.
“We don’t need to talk about that shit. I’m just so happy to see you. You saved my life, Aspen.”
“I don’t remember much about what happened after I arrived at Dulip. Is it…”
“The restaurant is gone, but it can be rebuilt. I’m more concerned about you.”
“What happened?” I look to my left arm, bandaged heavily and unable to move.
“I don’t know how the hell you knew, but you arrived at Dulip and ran in to pull me out.”
“John. I saw him. He said something. You weren’t picking up. I thought…” I can’t contain the overflow of emotion at the memory of thinking I might lose Ryder. Every harsh word and argument seems so petty in the light of what we both stood to lose.
“If you hadn’t run in to save me, I’d be dead right now.”
“Don’t say that.” I keep a hold of his hand as the thought shudders through my entire body.
“It’s true. Right after we got out, the kitchen exploded. I would have been in there if you had waited for the firefighters.”
“I couldn’t…”
“I know, baby girl. Don’t ever do something like that in the future. If it comes down to me or you, I’ll always choose you.”
“And I will always choose you, Ryder Stevens.” He leans over, pressing his lips to mine in a fervent kiss.
“It’s just me and you, baby girl. Got it?”
“Yes, Sir.” Pain scratches at my skin, my nerve endings raw. “How bad are my wounds?”
His face sobers. “Second-degree burns to your left arm and a small patch of your shoulder. There will probably be some scarring, but you’ll recover full flexibility of your arm.”
