TWENTY-SEVEN
REMI
I don’t know why I chose to wake at that exact moment, but something shifted within me. It felt as if some unforeseen force was calling to me, shouting at me to wake up. When I did, I noticed the sun was shining when I opened my eyes. It felt good to have some control over my body. My brain was still foggy, but I remembered everything. Looking about the room, I knew I wasn’t in a hospital anymore. I was in Max’s room, back at the compound in northern California. I still didn’t know what to believe. I wanted to believe Max, but there was so much I still didn’t know.
I wasn’t shocked to see nothing had changed. The room was as it was the last time I was here. The only difference was the curtains were pulled back, and the window was open, so I could feel the cool breeze and hear the ocean off in the distance. It was a lovely day. Stretching a bit, I felt something move against my face. Reaching up, I touched a rubber tube that was taped to my nose. I tried to tug on it, but it hurt when I did, so I left it alone.
“Remi,” a soft young voice whispered. Turning, I saw a young girl sitting beside me. She was pretty, with long blonde waves that went past her shoulders. A spray of freckles across her nose and cheeks and plump rosy lips. She was adorable. When I looked into her eyes, I smiled. Though I’d never met her, I’d know her anywhere. She was me. “Sunny?”
My sister jumped from her seat, tears running down her face as she hugged me tightly. I tried not to wince. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her to me, never wanting to let her go. She was so beautiful. I’d only seen a picture of her when Max told me about her and my brother. “Where is Jax?”
Sniffing, Sunny released me and smiled. “He’s downstairs with Savage. They are building a gym together.”
Looking her over, I saw the cast on her leg and asked, “What happened to your leg?”
“Car accident. Don’t worry, I’m okay, and Healer says I can take the cast off in a few more weeks. Jax only got a couple of cuts.”
“How long have you been here?”
“A few weeks. Grandma Caroline and Player came to get us in Washington. Children Services were taking us to a foster family when the car went down in a ravine. I woke up in the hospital, and Grandma Caroline was there with Player. They said they were bringing us home to you.”
“Has everyone been treating you good?”
“Oh yes. Max is awesome, and so are the other guys, especially Shamrock. He is very protective and doesn’t let anyone mess with us. Whatever we want, he makes sure we have. Max says, when you are better, we are going to move into our house. He said you have everything decorated.”
“I do,” I smiled, then looked around the room. “Where is Max?”
“In church.”
“Do you have a phone?”
“Yes. Shamrock bought me one.”
“Text Shamrock for me, please. Tell him I’m awake.”
“Okay,” my sister smiled and did what I asked. There were so many questions I wanted to be answered, and I knew Shamrock would tell me the truth. Within seconds, I heard the loud footsteps pounding down the hallway. Before I could blink the bedroom door was flung open, and there he stood.
My friend.
I smiled, “Sham.”
The next thing I knew, I was engulfed in his massive arms as he hugged me tightly to him. His body shook as he held me. “God damn, babe, I thought I’d never see you again. I’m so sorry, Remi. So, fucking sorry.”
“Stop it.”
“I just wanted to protect you, and I failed. We all did.”
“Sham,” I whispered, gently pushing him away. Looking at his face, I noticed the tears that fell down his cheek as Healer walked into the room. “Heard a rumor my favorite patient was awake.”
“Hi, Healer.”
The doc smiled. “Well, that takes care of that question. Remi…”
Healer couldn’t finish because the thundering roar of boots came barreling down the hall. Instantly the room filled with men I thought I’d never see again and men I hadn’t met yet. But the one I needed to see wasn’t there. Looking from face to face, I searched for him. Everyone was talking at once when a loud whistle was heard. The room quieted. Men moved aside, and there he was.
Max.
Yet, he wasn’t alone. Looking beside him stood a small boy. Tears formed in my eyes as the young boy stood shyly behind Max. Raising my arms, I waited, praying that my brother would come to me. When Max gently moved him towards me, I watched my brother's lip tremble as he jumped onto my bed and into my arms.