Page 53 of Fractured Future
“I am.” He inhales me deeply. “I’m here.”
After all that time spent piecing my brick wall together, it comes crashing down at the strong pressure of my brother holding me close. The avalanche sweeps me off my feet in an instant.
“I d-didn’t think I’d s-see you again.”
“I know, Em. I know.”
“I-I tried to be hopeful, to hold on… I tried so h-hard…”
He presses a hard kiss against my head. “I’m so thankful you kept going. I knew you’d come home.”
Letting his shirt bear the brunt of my pouring eyes, I don’t let go of him until the hysterics subside. I’m not allowing myself more than a brief meltdown. Not now that I’ve gotten what I wanted all along.
Releasing his shirt, I take a long look up at my brother’s face. His stubbled cheeks are soaked with tears, spilling from his glistening emerald eyes. Tom is always slick, freshly shaven and dressed to the nines.
Today, his artfully cut, auburn hair is sticking up haphazardly, matching his unshaven face and painfully enlarged eye bags. Hell, I haven’t seen him in a polo and not a dress shirt since we were kids.
“You look rough,” I croak wetly.
He swipes his arm across his ghostly face. “I could say the same about you. Jesus Christ, Em.”
“It looks worse than it is.”
“Heard that one before.” His mouth crinkles into a worried line. “We’re going straight to the hospital.”
“No! Warner checked me over. I’m alright.”
“I don’t care.”
Looking over at the sound of approaching footsteps, Tom breaks out in a smile for his approaching best friend. I stand alone while they exchange a long, back-slapping hug.
“Good to see you back in the country.”
“Good to be back,” Warner replies brightly. “Just delivering one baby sister, as promised.”
Tom clasps his forearm, using his other hand to swipe beneath his eyes again. He’s always been the more emotional of us. Though I feel like I’m catching up to him now.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for finding her.”
Releasing him, Warner’s smile falters. “Wish I could take the credit.”
“What?” Tom glances between us.
“It’s a long story, but we should get out of here first.” He pats my brother’s hand to reassure him. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
Stepping away, Tom returns to my side so he can steady me. “She needs to go to the hospital first.”
“I said I’m good,” I grouse.
Both eye me sceptically.
“Cut it out! All I need is a hot shower, a banana milkshake and three double cheeseburgers.”
Warner splutters a short, amused chuckle. “You didn’t eat on the jet. Now you want three cheeseburgers?”
“Three doubles, actually. I was saving room for what I’m craving.”
Doors slam behind us as the guys finish loading up their gear. I can feel eyes on me from across the tarmac where Hyland and Axel now wait, both leaning against their SUV.
