Page 107 of Fresh Tracks
“Clay,” I say, trying to get him to look up. My voice is weak and my throat is sore as my adrenaline wears off. This is all my fault. I’m the one who has been begging her to do this with me for years. I should have known it wasn’t right to push her to come with me given how important her olympic career and training are.
“Miss Chapman.” The unfamiliar voice of the doctor interrupts our silent sibling exchange. I look over to see him eyeing me over his clipboard. “You're both unbelievably lucky Josie was there to dig you out, and call for search and rescue to get there as fast as they did. Your friend, Miss Jensen, is in good hands though. Now please, try to get some rest.”
He turns for the door and steps out, leaving it cracked behind him.
I look back to my dad, who’s still holding my wrist. “Please, get Tommy here.”
He smiles warmly at me and nods.
My mind is overwhelmed by feelings and memories that are coming back to me. But through all of them, one stands out. That feeling of need for him followed by the crushing fear of thinking I would never see him again. That was the last thing that I remember before waking up here and it still hasn’t changed.
I need him here, with me — my calm and steady.
Commotion at the door and the sound of raised, agitated voices pulls my attention away from Dad.
“Yeah. I’m related.” As if my mere thoughts summoned him, he’s here for me.
Even from outside the room, I can feel the urgency in his voice, and the all consuming bond between us. It’s ever-present, always pulling us together.
Despite every ache in my body, I want to — no, not want, need — I need to give into it, get up, and walk to him. I shift my body and swing my legs over the side of the bed that I already am committed to getting the hell out of as soon as the doctor isn’t within earshot. My dad puts his arm out, trying to stop me.
Then I hear him say it. His voice is a low growl, but still clear enough for my entire family to hear.
“She’s my wife.”
Every head in the room snaps to the door as Tommy, my husband, pushes his way past the doctor and strides to the side of my bed.
Our eyes meet and it feels like a weight heavier than the crushing snow of the avalanche has been lifted off me. It’s like I can finally breathe again.
I see it in his eyes too, his posture visibly softening when he sees me sitting up in the bed. My dad, with a surpassingly calm look on his face, steps aside.
Tommy says nothing, just wrapping me in his arms, pulling me tight into his chest. I melt into his warmth, sinking into his embrace. His familiar scent fills my lungs and I hear the sound of his racing heart, making me feel whole.
“I’m here, Rainbow.” His voice is hoarse and ragged. He presses a kiss to the top of my head and rubs soothing circles on my back, bringing my pulse back under control.
“What the fuck?” My brother’s deep, gruff voice cuts through the room. Tommy and I both turn to see Tanner standing in the doorway next to the doctor.
The doctor awkwardly shuffles on his feet. “I’m going togive you some time as a family.” He steps out of the room and silence sets in.
I feel everyone’s eyes on Tommy and me.
“Surprise?” My voice trails up in question. I raise my hands to the sides of my head, waggling my splayed fingers in jazz hands.
Tommy leans down and whispers into my ear. “That was cringier than my use of emojis and you know it.”
To my pleasant surprise, Clay and Veronica both cover their mouths to hide their laughter. I’m glad to see they’re still on my side.
Tanner shoots Veronica a sidelong glance. “You think it’s funny that they got married and didn’t tell us? They’ve known each other for months.” He looks back at me. “When did this even happen?”
She smirks, raising her eyebrows at him. “I’m pretty sure you proposed to me after we dated for two months.”
He groans and scrubs his hand over his face. “That’s different. She’s?—”
“I’m what?” I cut him off, staring daggers at him. “Too young? Too fragile? Still too broken to make my own choices?”
He winces and stays silent.
Tommy’s hand still works on my back rubbing my stiff muscles. It’s like he can sense my apprehension about being back in a hospital room, with my entire family, and he’s trying to will it away with his touch.
