Page 187 of Heartbeats & Highways

But it was for nothing, because the moment I was within reach, I was suddenly engulfed in a collective embrace. I hadn’t shed any tears during the funeral, but I cried at their touch.

“Okay, let’s give her some room,” Brielle said, stepping back and wiping her own eyes.

“You know everything,” I stated.

“We do,” Roman said with a tight nod. “When you didn’t show up for work, I called Savage. Duke answered his phone because Savage was in the hospital.”

“Oh,” I murmured.

“And when he told us what happened to you, I told him I wanted to know the minute they found you,” Roman said.

“And then Roman told us the truth about how you and Savage met,” Virgil added.

Cozy took my hand. “It must’ve been terrifying for you.”

I squeezed her fingers. “It was. I’m not—Colt said I’m not supposed to talk about it ever again. But I—thank you. For being worried for me.”

“Just glad you’re back safe and sound,” Homer said gruffly.

I looked up at him and said, “Not such a secret teddy bear anymore, are you?”

He grunted, causing us all to chuckle softly.

It felt sacrilegious to laugh in a cemetery, but that was life for you.

“I think it goes without saying but take as much time as you need. Don’t worry about your job. It will be here if or when you’re ready to come back,” Roman said.

My heart filled with love for these people.

“Are you coming to the clubhouse? We’re having a—I don’t know what you call it. Wake? Anyway, there will be food and drinks,” I said.

Jazz shook her head. “No. We’re not really invited. We’re not part of the club.”

“You’re part ofmyclub,” I said softly.

“And that will never change,” Brielle said. “But we don’t belong there.”

“So we’ll see you later?” Virgil asked.

“Later,” I agreed with a nod.

“Family dinner still needs to happen,” Brielle said.

“I can only imagine what your parents will think of me.”

“They’ll love you. Just like we do,” Roman said.

My heart melted.

“Cuddle Bug misses you,” Jazz said with a rueful smile. “So if you need to borrow her for some cheer-up time, you let us know.”

“Or we can buy you a puppy,” Virgil said. “Puppies make everything better. That’s what Clementine says anyway.”

I chuckled.

“Don’t cave,” Cozy said to him. “Otherwise, you and Riley will be sharing the bed with a dog.”

“Yeah, one dog in the bed is enough. Riley doesn’t need another when she sleeps next to you,” Brielle said to her brother.

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