“Does everybody know?” I ask, too happy to be worried.
“Pretty much.”
“Ooops.”
Everyone chuckles, but Anders goes a little serious. “I don’t think his dads know though.”
“Thank God.” I shrug. “I love him. I’ll make them see that.”
Everyone goes quiet.
I may be a little high on whatever it is Anders gave me, but I can tell when people don’t quite believe me. They don’t get it. Idolove Oakley, and Iwillmake them see.
Anders and Odd help me to my feet, then out of the helicopter. Oakley is careful as he approaches us, but Cupcake barrels forward and nudges my leg.
I lower my hand, and she licks it a few times.
“Good girl. I’m okay.”
She whines and gives me a few more licks, then leans against my leg. I pet her head and scratch behind her ears, my signal that I’m truly okay. Oakley is standing off to the side, but I’m not waiting for privacy.
I walk up to him and throw my arms around his thick waist.
“That sucked,” I say to his broad chest.
“Yeah, it did.”
I finally release him and lean against his side. The entire team is there, shuffling their feet, avoiding our eyes.
“Anders says everyone knows already.”
“Yeah, I picked up on that too. Are you okay?”
“I could use some coffee.”
I perk up after two cups of Miss Odeal’s New Orleans blend. Cupcake and I follow Oakley into the situation room, where he and Hedy lead the debrief.
Oakley listens carefully as we talk through the operation, then asks a few follow-up questions, just to check in. The guys seem to appreciate being able to talk things over with him, even though we’re still new to interacting with him in a professional capacity.
He also offers to explain to the team what happened to me and what to do if it ever happens again. I give him permission, and he asks me to leave briefly so he can show them the operational footage from my rescue.
I’ve seen it. I don’t need to see it again.
I sit in the hallway with Cupcake’s head in my lap while they watch the video. Hedy’s friend Indaja walks by.
“I heard you had a tough time on this one.”
I nod and stroke Cupcake’s head. “Team had my back.”
“Want a little energetic work?”
Indaja’s a Reiki master or something. I don’t know about all of that, but I always feel better after. I stand and close my eyes while she does her thing.
By the time Oakley’s ready for me, Indaja has once again reset my chi or whatever. I feel more balanced than I have in a while.
“Thanks, Daj.”
She pats my cheek. “You’re welcome, doll.”
