Page 17 of Blade and Arrow Origins

Once we’re done moving the machine, I step back to glance around the gym. It’s not complete, but there are weight machines and punching bags and benches and plenty of matsfor stretching. There’s cross-training equipment like tires and ropes, and even a pilates machine set up in one corner.

And like a video fast-forwarding, I see my life here. Working with the best friends I’ve ever had. Helping people. Realizing that just because one dream is over doesn’t mean I can’t have a new one.

I can get stronger here.

I can be happy.

Turning to Cole, my voice is rough with emotion. “I think this is really going to work.”

“Me too,” Nora says, smiling.

“Me too,” Zane echoes.

“I think…” Cole pauses. “With the six of us, I know it will.”

CHAPTER 6

FINN

It’s still hard to believe I’m here.

Not at my lonely apartment just outside Fort Collins, surrounded by blank walls and second-hand furniture, spending my nights watching reruns ofSurvivoruntil I’m tired enough to catch a few hours of sleep.

I’m not scrolling through old photos of my team, torturing myself with what-ifs and wishing I could go back and do things differently.

I’m not getting up to before dawn to go to a job I hate, my alarm blaring extra loud so my damaged hearing won’t miss it—another daily reminder of everything I lost.

When I’d wake from a nightmare on a strangled scream, my heart jackhammering as adrenaline flooded my body, I’d wonder if things could ever get better.

I would wonder if I deserved them to.

Until Cole came to me with his idea for this company, I was beginning to accept my life in Colorado as penance for the terrible mistake I made.

And when he asked me to join him, as much as I wanted to say yes, I hesitated.

“What about my hearing?” I asked, tapping my left ear as if he somehow forgot what happened. “I could be a liability to you. If the Army doesn’t think I’m fit for active duty, then—”

“That’s ridiculous,” Cole scoffed. “You’re more than fit to be on this team.” Then his expression sobered as he held my gaze. “I can’t begin to imagine the kind of adjustment you’ve had to make. But you’re one of the best soldiers and teammates I have had the honor of knowing. And I wouldn’t consider moving forward with this if you’re not with me.”

How could I say no after that?

Especially when I was desperate to say yes?

So I took a chance. I gave notice at my job. I asked my audiologist for a referral to someone close to Sleepy Hollow. I loaded up my car and drove to Arizona to see my dad, then started working my way east across the country.

And now I’m here. No longer alone, but living in the same building as my teammates. Working on getting this company ready to open. Still not fully believing I was lucky enough to be given a second chance.

I won’t fuck it up this time.

Draining the last dredges of my coffee, I cross the living room to look out the window. Patches of green are popping up across the expansive lawn and the trees are covered with buds just starting to unfurl. The sun is breaking through the clouds left behind after last night’s rain, its heat drying the damp spots on the patio.

Zane and Leo are outside the garage; Zane on a ladder adjusting a security camera, while Leo peers at his laptop and calls out instructions. I crack the window, letting a cool breeze waft in, and hear Leo saying faintly, “Just a bit more to the left. No. That’s too far. Now turn it to the right a little.”

Then Zane replies with a hint of irritation, “Doyouwant to get up here and do this?”

My lips lift as I watch the two of them go back and forth, bickering like brothers. Leo’s trying to hide his laughter as he directs Zane to move the camera just one more time, and I know Zane’s just pretending to be annoyed.

Once the camera position is set, Zane leaps off the ladder and tackles Leo, grinning as he takes him to the ground. They start wrestling, an even match, with Leo’s massive size a balance to Zane’s martial arts skills. After a minute or so, Zane emerges victorious, jumping to his feet and extending his hand to Leo to help him up.

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