Victoria told her to have two more chapters of their workbook completed.
Blake knew he should say something to her. She was supposed to be his responsibility, after all. But he just—couldn’t. He still struggled to look her in the eye. To understand the enormity of what he’d done. What he’d failed to do.
And Judd was so good with her. Like the dumbass older brother no one really wanted, but everyone deserved. And then she had Victoria, who was stern, making sure she ate as healthily as possible and did her schoolwork. She didn’t need Blake, not really. Still. He felt a responsibility he couldn’t quite shirk.
Swallowing, he walked over to the group. The grass was soaked with dew, and his boots were slick and squeaky as he moved to Gabriel’s side. The soldier’s arm snaked around his waist, drawing him close.
Sara looked up at Blake expectantly. Despite the wetness on her cheeks, she wasn’t cowering. Her face was hard, brows slightly furrowed, lips chapped from the wind. Blake could hardly reconcile her with the dirty, frightened girl who clung to him in the bed of a truck.
“Why do you have to go?” she asked, digging the toe of her sneaker into the grass. “You’re a doctor.”
“I’m not a doctor,” Blake said, a little too quickly. Gabriel squeezed his side. “I’m—I’m a medic. Do you know the difference?”
She paused for a moment and then shook her head.
Blake knelt so he could look her in the eye. “It means that I go where people are hurt. I help get them out of danger and try to hold them together until they can get to a doctor.” He tried to smile, but his face wouldn’t cooperate.
Sara wasn’t buying it. She was focusing on her shoe, grinding it into the dirt. Blake knew exactly what she was thinking.
“I couldn’t save your mom.” Gabriel shifted behind him, but Blake was focused on Sara. “I—I’m sorry. I know that doesn’t mean anything to you. I failed your mom. I failed you. And nothing I can say or do will change that.”
Her big, brown eyes lifted from the dirt and met his from under her lashes.
“I haven’t been around much, either. And I’m sorry for that, too. I wish I could tell you that adults handled their sh—stuff better than kids, but we don’t. And after losing your mom, I felt like I couldn’t face you. That was wrong.”
“It’s okay.” It was said in the way that kids do. Like they’re just saying it to appease an adult because they’re uncomfortable or don’t understand the situation.
Blake’s lips curled wryly.
“It’s not, but I’d like to try.” He extended his fist out. “I can’t undo my mistakes, Sara. But I can be a better friend to you.”
Her eyes darted down to his fist. “Could we…could we talk about my mom? I don’t want to forget her.”
Blake’s chest clenched. “I’d like that.”
Sara’s knuckles tapped his.
Wherever your mom is, I hope she knows she raised one hell of a kid.
He stood up and caught Emily’s father’s eye. If they didn’t hear from any of the teams in two days, the plan was to evacuate to the Beta or Charlie site and hang tight. They’d return to the motel if it was safe, move on if it wasn’t.
The man dropped a kind hand on Sara’s shoulder and nodded.
Emily hugged him. Her wild hair tickled his nose, but he hugged her back. She’d gained some weight after getting the insulin and was doing well. Beaumont found another vial in an old folks’ home last week; she should have enough to hold her over for a while.
Gabriel took his hand and pulled him away from the group into the chill of the hangar. In a few minutes, he’d be in the helicopter, holding on for dear life as Victoria navigated a fifty-year-old, derelict, museum piece through a door only slightly wider than it was.
And that was the easy part.
Team Oh Shit met beside the Huey. They all looked at Gabriel.
“Don’t look at me. I’m all out of speeches.”
Phin rolled his eyes, but Judd laughed. He clapped Gabriel on the shoulder. “Just your shining face is enough, Commander. We’d follow you anywhere.”
Judd dodged Gabriel’s swat and pulled Victoria close. He dipped her, kissing her soundly. “Be safe for me, Danger Tits.”
Victoria blinked, her cheeks turning red. It was the closest to flabbergasted Blake had ever seen her. Judd yowled when she kicked him in the shin.
