Page 114 of The Rowdy Ones

“I’m here,” I tell him in a shaky voice. “You’re okay.”

Since he’s sedated and sleeping, he doesn’t respond. Wild touches my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze.

“Now that I know he’s going to live,” Wild says, “I’m going to meet up with my uncle, Will. What’s the official story?”

That your mother stabbed my brother and lover in the back and nearly killed him.

Instead of voicing the truth, I repeat what I told Gwen. It’s not like I want Aunt Eve to get into trouble. She was confused and triggered by what she saw. I’m sure when she snaps out of it, she’ll realize what she’s done and feel awful about it.

“Okay,” Wild says with a relieved sigh. “I’ll let him know. Our dads should be here within a few hours or so.”

Knowing my dad is on the way makes me want to start sobbing again. But Rowdy needs me to keep it together right now. I don’t want to cause him any undue stress.

“Thank you,” I murmur, hugging Wild. “I’m sorry about how things transpired between the two of you. You love him deeply and he’ll never be able to reciprocate the way you want. I hate that I’m culpable in breaking your heart.”

He squeezes me. “Rowdy deserves all the love in the world. I see the way he looks at you. There is joy in his eyes I never knew existed. That right there softens the blow.” Then he chuckles and messes my hair up. “But I’m still going to arrest you two once I become a cop.”

I stick my tongue out and he laughs harder.

“Bye, Wild.”

“See you soon, Destiny.”

I hear a voice down the hall that soothes my soul.

Daddy!

In the hustle to get to the hospital, I didn’t bring the cane Rowdy made me, but I’ve already memorized the distance from the chair by Rowdy’s side to the bathroom door. The room door is beyond that. I don’t need my cane. When I fling open the door, a smoky scent swirls inside. Though similar to Rowdy’s smell, it’s still unique enough I can distinguish them apart.

“Daddy!” I cry out, launching myself at him.

His big, strong arms encircle me and he picks me up. He carries me back into the room, stroking my hair and whispering soft, gentle assurances. I missed him so much. The tears are never ending as I cling to my father, who I know will make sure everything is all better in the end.

I can’t believe he’s finally here.

After a long embrace, he pulls me into his lap and we sit beside Rowdy’s bed.

“Where’s Uncle Atticus?”

“Dropped me off and then went over to Will’s with Wild.”

“How was Aunt Eve?” I shudder in his arms. “I don’t understand why she attacked him so violently. Why didn’t she confront him instead?”

Dad sighs heavily as if the words to come out of him are tiring. “She was upset. Horrified at what she’d done.”

“He’s going to be okay, Dad.”

“Wild texted Atticus and told him. The message came through when we were able to get a cell signal.” He strokes a palm through my hair. “Are we going to talk about why Eve thought Rowdy was raping you?”

I stiffen in his arms. “What do you mean?”

“Dez, angel, you know what I mean. I’m already dealing with three knuckleheads who got themselves in a similar predicament. Be straight with me, kid.”

“I love him,” I whisper.

He doesn’t reply, but no anger explodes out of him either.

“You’re not going to yell?”