She brushed a strand of hair away from my face. “You’ll learn. And there’s someone out there for you. Whether it’s a lifelong friend or partner. But they’ll need you like you need them.”
My chest eased but the pain was still too heavy. “I hope you’re right.”
“Hey. This might sound a little weird. But when I was younger, I had this safe word when I was afraid of something. My father gave me the idea of it.” She smiled. “Anytime you’re feeling weak or like you can’t go on. I want you to close your eyes and say Gracie.”
My brows furrowed. “Gracie?”
“My name. I believe everyone deserves someone who they can call upon, even if they can’t be there in person.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, amazed at the woman in front of me who can’t be more than five years older than I am. But she’s one I could never forget.
Another nurse called her over from the desk.
“I have to go. But I really do think you’re gonna be okay. You’re going to find your way, and you’ll heal one day. It might take a while, but you’ll heal.”
She smiles one last time, and I memorize her features, her mannerisms so I’d never forget.
My angel.
My safe word.
TWENTY-FOUR
Hush
I can’t stop thinking about Danika and us on the cliff. Had I said too much? Let too much of me into her space. She does something to me and letting her in isn’t as hard as letting others in. I can’t fucking explain it. Nothing makes sense to me when I recall how easy being around her felt or how badly I want more of it.
Watching her in the studio was refreshing and my chest ached when she moved. She was at peace, finally at peace.
“Looking good, brother.” Tank claps my shoulder as I rise, throwing a grease covered towel over my shoulder.
I study the engine of the car I told myself I’d fix, and I must admit, it does look good. It took a few weeks, but I replaced the transmission. That’s how long it’s been since the cliff with Danika and since she’s been staying in my room at the clubhouse. If I ever did need to go inside, her scent was everywhere. Vanilla and coconut. Even in the dead of winter she smells like sunshine and summer. Staying at the cabin is quiet yet deafening at the same time. Deafening in the sense, I’m always wondering what she’s doing. Is she all right? Is she in pain? The voices are more silent than they’ve ever been.
I let the hood close with ease. “Hopefully it runs.”
“Start her up.” Tank crosses his meaty arms over his chest.
With the turn of the key, she hums with fire. Almost as if she’d been dying for this.
Tank nods. “Hell yeah. She got a new life. Nice work, man.”
That tightness in my chest releases and my mouth turns up. “Yeah. Look at that.”
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind what I’d do with the car once she was fixed. I knew when I agreed to work on it, where it’d go.
“You mind if I take her off the shop’s hands?”
Tank raises a brow with a smirk. “She’s all yours. Maybe she’ll get you off your Harley before you kill yourself.”
The words sting under my skin. “She’s not for me.”
His smirk grows bigger. “Ah. I get it.” He rubs his thick beard. “Well, I’ll see ya later, brother. Some of us are headed over to the Fallen Star for drinks. Interested?”
My brothers invite me on a weekly basis, but I always say no. “Okay.”
Tank straightens, surprise written all over him.Yeah, me too. “Well, Shit. Hell yeah.”
I tell Tank I’ll meet him outside so I can wash up and change first.
