Page 73 of Avery's Hero

Damn Gunnar. That didn’t take long. “No, really.”

“You’re a sucky liar. That hasn’t changed.”

I groan and flop on the bed. “It’s just a lot of change all at once. Also, I’ve been put on restriction until I get a physical and psych eval.”

“What the hell?” he snaps, his voice full of venom.

I shouldn’t have mentioned it, but Gunnar wasn’t going to let go until I told him something.

“I’ve been having some anxiety.”

“Pip, you need to get some counseling and get that PTSD dealt with.”

“It’s not PTSD,” I mutter.

“Tell yourself what you like. What you went through was some scary shit.”

I cover my eyes with my hand as mist starts to gather on my lashes. “It was eons ago.”

He’s silent again. “Look. I’ve got to go. But I’ll be there soon. We’ll deal with all this shit together. Okay. The two of us. Just like before. I’ll have your back again. I promise.”

With my throat tight, I say, “I know. You’ve always been there for me.”

“Not in a long fucking time. For five years you’vehad to deal with everything. But starting next week, you’ll have your brother back.”

“I’m glad.” My voice shakes and I know he hears it. “I’m just glad you’re going to have your life back.”

His reply is instant, and hard as granite. “It was worth it.”

I can’t speak or swallow. When I finally answer, all I can say is, “I know. I know.”

“Alright. So, Wednesday. The attorney will call with the details. I’ll be looking forward to that hamburger. Hang in there, Pip. I’m getting back in the saddle.”

“Deal,” I reply, barely holding my tears back.

He disconnects.

I cry. Hard. With my face pressed in my pillow, my hands fisted in the blankets.

Emotion pours out of me like a dark river that seems to have no end. It’s been a long, long time since I cried for Gunnar. For us. But tonight, after hearing his voice, I don’t have the strength to hold back the flood any longer.

It’s going to be so good to have Gunnar back in the world of the living instead of locked behind bars for protecting me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

I watch my kid in disbelief as he drops into the skate ramp like he owns the thing. I’ve never seen him skate like this before. He’s powerful and fluid. “Damn, when did you learn to do that?”

Linc grins and kicks his skateboard up so he can catch it in his hand.

“Last month.”

“I’m impressed.” Then I add the running joke comment I always say when we’re skating. “But I’m still better.”

He laughs dismissively, “Whatever.”

It’s good to see his easy smile. I can’t remember the last time we hung out at the skatepark. I needto make more time to skate, surf, hike, and just hang around and bullshit with him.

He sits on the bench next to me. “So, why don’t you teach me that Mc Twist?”