I step inside, finding Ryder on the floor with her back to me, her blonde hair spilling out of her braid.
I inhale and let it out, relief rolling through me.
Kelsey sits cross-legged beside her, and shielded are two little girls, maybe four or five, clicking brightly colored blocks into a tower. Books, stuffed animals, and dolls are spread all around them.
Ryder peeks at me over her shoulder. A fresh cut hovers over her eye, and her lip is split and puffy. She leans forward and whispers something to the little girls before standing, and I catch her holding her side.
Jos takes her spot on the floor as Ryder reaches for my hand, pulling the door open and stepping into the cool night air. As soon as the door closes, her arms slide around my neck, and her body smashes into mine.
I hold the back of her head, never taking this for granted.
Her body relaxes, all the tension letting loose as she hangs onto me like she’s afraid to let go. I know without a doubt that I will spend the rest of my life doing just this. Being here. Helping in whatever way I can.
I carefully run my hand over her side. “How bad is it?”
“Just a little scratch.”
I huff out a laugh. “Broken rib?”
“Maybe a fracture.”
I’m careful, but I hold her tighter. “You ok?”
Her chest expands but stutters and then deflates. “I am now.”
I kiss her temple, examining the fresh wound. “Tell me what you need.”
“Just this for a minute.”
I’ll hold her as long as she wants.
Eventually, she releases me. Her lips push to the side as her gaze drops to my chest. “You still sure this is what you envision when you see the rest of your life?” She fists my shirt, but I hear the insecurity creeping into her voice.
“Hey.” I wait for her to look at me, and it takes a second, but her gaze eventually drifts up to mine. “There is nothing else I want more than this. You are the rest of my life, and we’ll keep doing this together.” I slide my hand into hers, pressing it to my chest. “Ok?”
A subtle smile pulls at her busted-up lip. “I need your help. There’s a little boy. Kerry is with him. Maybe ten years old.” Her chin dips. “He’s. . .been through a lot. Track and Hope are making all the calls and filing reports. Think you could show him some cool stuff about football?”
I push the wisps of hair away from the sticky, dried blood. “Yes. I can definitely do that.”
She hugs me again, her cheek pressed to my heart. We stay like that for a few long seconds. I’ll do this forever—remind her that I’m not going anywhere.
“What do you say, we see if we can calm the little guy’s anxiety?”
“Cole,” she pauses, pressing her eyes closed. “I know this is hard.”
She’s right. It’s beyond difficult to see and understand that there’s so much pain, suffering, and hurt. But loving her is the easiest damn thing I’ve ever done.
“I’m the luckiest man to get to do this with you.”
She tips her chin up just enough, her lips barely meeting mine, and then grips my hand to lead me inside.
“All right then, Matthews. Let’s see if your game and superpowers can help another kid venture beyond the darkness.
