“Not sure. But…Walker busted out of town last night. I—I’m scared for you man.”
“Didn’t think you cared anymore.”
“You’re blood. The only blood I got left.” He stormed at me and planted his palms against my chest. I let him push me back but kept my balance in case he planned on going postal on me. “Fucking only family I got.”
“No. You have anewfamily. Remember?” I cranked his wrist to expose the tattoo. “Remember, Damon?New family. And they don’t take kindly to people who share gang information to traitors.”
Tears lined my brother’s bottom lids.Tears.
“You’re risking a lot by being here. And even more by telling me.”
“I—I’ve seen you with her.” He gulped and pulled his wrist from my hold. “I—you’re—happy.”
At least Iwas.
“Walker’s going to ruin that. Ruin…her.”
“How?”
“Said she’s big money. That’s all I know.” He backed up. “I gotta go. Check on Mom, will you? She’s at your hospital—at least she was as of this morning.”
“I promise.” I stayed put, fighting my instinct to go to him and take him out of this godforsaken town and far away from the shit he was knee-deep in.
I could go get Sarah and we three could disappear. I knew that wasn’t reality, but if I could do it, I would. Hell, even Mom if she’d stay clean.
“Get off the shit, Damon.” I pointed at him as he pushed open the door.
He stopped. “Why do you think I look like this? Day two, and I’ve finally stopped puking.”
I dipped my head. “You can do it.”
He offered a half smile then disappeared out the door into the early evening darkness. The wave of arctic air that streamed through sent a shiver down my back. I grabbed the hoodie off the back of my seat and slid it over my head.
I needed to see Sarah and make sure she was okay. Then I’d worry about Mom.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sarah
Thehospitalcameintoview, and I stopped. Drey should be about done with his volunteering shift. It’d been too long since I’d last seen him.
Hanging out at the apartment next to Angelina’s had been nice, but it was time I put my big girl panties on and face Drey. I wanted him, and…yes, I was worthy. I gulped through the doubt trying to choke me and tell me I wasn’t, but I beat it down.
I crossed the street, each step gathering the strength to face him. I could do this. Needed to. It was time to be done running. To be with someone. I wanted a life. One that included stability, respect, and…love.
I tightened my coat around me to fight off that wicked wind chill slicing through the air.
The doors slid back, and Drey stomped through. I skidded to a stop in the doorway, and so did he. His amber eyes were wide. The heat above us kicked on, blowing my hair, and I stepped back. Not only from that but from the intensity in his eyes.
His expression was hard, his jaw tight. “Sarah?” He hurried through the door and met me outside. “Sarah!”
He yanked me into his arms in an all-encompassing hug. Those arms felt like shields against anything and everything. The cold, the fear, the…danger.
Nothing felt safer.
“What are you doing here?” He hugged me tight. “You’re okay, right?”
I wove my arms around his waist and hugged him hard. “I’m okay.”