Page 64 of From the Ashes

“Colt?” I say more urgently before dropping my voice and leaning closer to him so hopefully nobody else hears me.

I don’t care if I’m being unprofessional.

I’m desperate.

“Colt…please come back to me. I…I love you.”

Now might not be the most appropriate or romantic moment to say it out loud for the first time.

But it also might be my last chance.

His eyes flutter open.

The collective gasp flies around those crammed in the space with him. “He’s awake!” Sawyer reports to everyone else.

“Baby?” he mumbles, his hand pawing groggily at me.

I grab it and kiss his knuckles, not bothering to even try and stop the tears streaming down my face. “I’m here,” I tell him. “I’ve got you.” I really hope his parents can’t see us right now, because I don’t think I can let go of his hand any time soon.

He peers at me through his wet lashes and manages a small smile.

“Love you, too,” he mumbles.

My heart trips. He probably doesn’t mean it. We’re in the middle of a crisis, after all, and he’s barely conscious.

Although…I meant it. So who knows?

“We need the backboard in here!” Yara yells. Teddy appears in a flash with it. Mr. and Mrs. Ross push their way into the space again behind him. Reluctantly, I place Colt’s hand gently down. I need to work on him, anyway.

“What’s happening?” Mr. Ross thunders. “Is he all right? We need to see him!”

“You need to step back and allow my team to work,” Captain Valentine insists kindly but firmly.

“His vitals look good,” Yara says.

“Leg hurts,” Colt mumbles.

Yara smiles at me. “Already administering pain relief. I think you’re going to be just fine, Mr. Ross.”

I manage not to sob in relief as Mrs. Ross crouches down next to me and does that enough for the both of us. She practically shoves me back so she can grab Colt’s hand and press it to her bosom.

“Oh, my darling boy,” she wails. “It’s okay! You hear that? The nice lady said you’re going to be all right.”

“Watch out for his IV,” Yara warns her, proving she’s not always nice if someone gets in the way of her treating a patient.

But Colt is woozy and he’s only looking at me, smiling at me, pulling his hand free from his mom and reaching for me. “You’re really here,” he murmurs, his gritty, sweaty palm cradling the side of my face.

For a second, I bask in his touch. Then I remember where we are and who we’re with, so I carefully push his arm back down with an awkward cough.

“The pain meds will already be working,” I explain truthfully to his parents. “And the adrenaline will be making him disoriented. We need to get him to a hospital right away to check him over more thoroughly and treat his leg and head wounds. You can all ride together, so?—”

Colt suddenly grabs my wrist, eyes blazing with intensity. “I told them,” he says to me, his face then splitting into a beautiful, dopey grin. “I really told them.”

“Told who what?” I ask. I’d like to guess, but I’m too afraid to get my hopes up.

“We don’t have time for this,” Mr. Ross snaps. “My wife and son need proper medical attention. I want?—”

“I told them I’m gay,” Colt says over his father’s protests, causing the other man to stutter to a halt. “I told them I’m never going to marry a woman even if Portiaisawesome, and I don’t even want to be a lawyer anymore. I’m freeeee.”

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