Riot lifts a beer in my direction.
“About damn time you got outta bed.”
Ghost leans back in his chair.
“Doc said you were stubborn.”
“That’s putting it nicely,” someone mutters.
More laughter.
My chest tightens unexpectedly.
Because none of it feels mean.
They’re happy.
Actually happy to see me standing here.
Ryan’s hand slides into mine.
“You okay?” he murmurs quietly.
I nod slowly.
“You did this?”
He shrugs.
“Maybe.”
“Ryan…”
From the back of the room someone yells, “Feed her before she passes out again!”
Ryan snorts.
“Shut up.”
He leads me toward the long table.
Guys shift automatically, making space.
I sit carefully, still trying to process what I’m seeing.
A plate appears in front of me almost immediately.
“Eat,” Ghost says.
Ryan sits beside me, his thigh pressing lightly against mine.
“You’re cleared for actual food,” he says quietly.
“Doctor’s orders?”
“Doctor’s orders.”
I take the first bite.
