Page 47 of Pit Stop

He clears his throat. He seems to be lost in his own thoughts now, so I stay quiet. Finally, Axell says, “I’ll let you go and I’ll see you and the boys tomorrow.”

“Sounds good. See you then,” I tell him before disconnecting the call. When I turn around, Onyx and Odette are coming towards me. Odette looks exhausted but there’s no cast on her wrist so I’m hoping that’s good news. Just a simple bandage you use for sprains. “What’s the verdict?” I ask.

Odette holds up her hand. “Just sprained, nothing to be concerned about.”

“I beg to differ. There’s always something to be concerned about but I’m glad it wasn’t anything worse than this.”

Onyx bobs her head up and down. “Me too,” she adds, while wrapping an arm around her sister’s shoulders. We head back to my car and make our way to the hotel. The sun is already beginning to set so by the time we make our way back to the place we call home, it’s dark. We’re welcomed back by all the boys and Decker. Pizza, wings, pasta, breadsticks, and soda line the long table. Odin rushes forward to pull Odette into his arms before he pulls her away to check her out for himself.

The boys goof around. Decker smiles at everyone. “So, we figured comfort food was a must. Odin said this was one of your favorites so let’s dig in,” Decker announces. Bazz and Slade rush towards the table and start piling the food on the paper plates. Urban laughs to himself as he joins them. I walk around and join Decker at the table, leaving Onyx, Odette, and Odin to catch up. They need some family time and I’m happy to give that to her.

For the rest of the evening, we eat way too much and listen to the boys banter back and forth and fight over the last breadstick and wing. “I’ll get you guys some more later, don’t hurt one another,” I tease from my seat at the table.

Odette reaches over and takes my hand where it rests on my thigh. I clasp my fingers around hers. She leans in, resting her head on my shoulder, and before I know it, she’s fast asleep. Later when the boys move to the living room area to play some video games Onyx leans over and moves a strand of hair from Odette’s face. “She’s out.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking something they gave her at the hospital for the pain,” Onyx mentions. She smiles at her sister.

I study her. She’s beautiful just like her sister but there’s a different air about her. Where Odette comes across soft and sweet. Onyx is hard and quick to bite. It’s evident she loves her siblings deeply though. “You’re a great sister to them.”

Onyx shakes her head and looks away. “I’m not so sure.”

“I am, but what makes you say that?”

She sighs. “I left them hanging and to fend for themselves. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over that. You were doing what you thought you needed to. You were trying to take care of them the best you could without them knowing your struggles. There’s nothing wrong with that. They love you and I think they understand why you did it now. You’re all back together now.” I hope my words sink in and make her feel better because I hate for her to feel like this.

“Do you want me to help you get her upstairs?” she offers.

I shake my head. “No, I’ve got her.”

After gathering Odette, who is still sound asleep, into my arms I head upstairs. Before I leave the dining room area Onyx stops me. “Thank you, Tillman.”

“For what?” I ask.

“For going to rescue her. It’s nice knowing that someone else has her back. She deserves it.” Her eyes glaze over but she quickly looks away.

I look down at Odette sleeping. “She rescued me, too. She just doesn’t know it yet. You deserve it too, Onyx.” I turn around and head upstairs. Knowing Odette is safe and sound once more. I don’t know what this little ball of light saw in me but somehow, she found something worth saving in all of my blood-stained soul and darkness. I didn’t know I could feel this happy. Now that I have it, I’m going to fight like hell to keep it.

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