This ishome.
And I can see the girls have done exactly what I asked, kept Effa occupied, distracted, surrounded by energy, so she doesn’t sit alone with her thoughts.
Andi glances up first, and her face splits into a grin. “Holy shit! You still look like you’ve gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. I bet he looks like shit though, right? You would have kicked his ass,” she mocks dramatically.
I grin, careful not to laugh too hard. “Tyson tapped out.”
Effa turns at the sound of my voice, and the change in her expression hits me square in the chest. Her eyes light up instantly with no hesitation, and no doubt. She spins and rushes toward me.
Instinctively, I brace, every muscle tightening in preparation for impact, but she catches herself just before she reaches me. Instead of launching into me like she normally would, she slows and wraps her arms around me carefully, gently, mindful of my ribs, giving only a soft squeeze.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispers. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, baby.” I lean down and press a kiss into her hair, breathing her in.
“Here, sit down,” she says quickly, guiding me toward the sofa like I’m made of glass.
I catch Luke’s eye over her shoulder. He nods once, satisfied, then shifts away to join Alana near the food.
“Are you guys ready for tonight?” I ask as I ease myself down onto the sofa, lowering carefully to avoid jarring my ribs.
Casey grabs a shot glass from in front of her and fills it with what looks like straight chili sauce. “I got one. Drink up,” she calls triumphantly.
Andi groans, rolling her eyes dramatically. “How did I agree to this game again? And how are you getting so many aces? I don’t want any more chili.”
Casey beams. “So you admit defeat?”
“Yeah, I’m done. You win.” Andi slams her cards on the table while Casey jumps up and does an exaggerated victory dance around the room.
I glance at Effa as Casey struts past us.
“Yeah, don’t ask,” Effa murmurs under her breath. “They’ve been playing this game for at least an hour. I have no idea how they can stomach that stuff, though I still don’t know why they’re all here so early?”
Andi reaches for a bottle of water and chugs half of it in one go, coughing slightly.
I chuckle. “How are you feeling?” Effa asks, her voice dropping, concern creeping back in.
I shift on the sofa and immediately wince as pain flares through my ribs. “Fine. Painkillers are my friend. The hospital gave me some strong ones to keep me going—”
“You shouldn’t be here, Mercs. You should be resting at home.” She sits beside me and takes my hand, studying my face like she’s searching for cracks in my resolve.
I sigh softly. “I want to be here with you.”
She snorts lightly. “Fine. But honestly, you take it easy.”
“Of course.”
“Hey, Luke, have you got a moment?” Nix calls out, poking his head through the door.
I glance up and grin when he spots me, and immediately winces. “Oh, shit! Kaden… I heard you got your ass handed to you. You okay, man?” he asks, stepping fully into the room.
“Yeah, all good. I’m back now. Don’t forget who’s doing your lighting. I might have had my ass handed to me, but I can still make you guys look like crap up there on stage,” I reply.
“Yeah, yeah, pretty boy. Nothing will make us look bad… but all jokes aside, I’m glad you’re okay. It’s good to have you back.”
“Thanks, man.”
Luke joins Nix and walks out with him, already slipping back into business mode.
