Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(94)

Pride surged in my chest. My mom wasn’t letting this level her. She was standing strong. Believing in me.

I squeezed her hand. “Love you.”

“Love you, too. More than you’ll ever know.”

Voices sounded in the hallway and, seconds later, chaos descended on my room. I could barely keep up with the gentle hugs and I-love-yous. But one person hovered in the background.

Everly wrung her hands as she watched everyone milling about. I motioned her forward, and she swallowed hard. The crowd parted as she moved towards me.

I sent her my sternest expression. “Ev, if you blame yourself for any of this, it’s really going to piss me off.”

Her lips twitched, but I still saw strain around her eyes. “Can I at least say that I’m so sorry this happened?”

“You can.” I pulled her into a hug, ignoring the pull on my stitches. “Couldn’t ask for a better sister to bring into the family.”

“I heard that,” Hadley called.

“My favorite sister,” I said in a stage whisper.

Everly couldn’t hold in her laughter as she held me tighter. “I love you, Shy. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this family.”

“Even if we bring chaos wherever we go?” Hadley asked.

Everly grinned as she straightened. “Even then.”

Beckett chuckled, pointing at me. “But this one takes it to a whole new level. Pissing someone off so they’ll stab you?”

I shrugged. “I had to get the knife somehow.”

Everyone groaned.

I looked up into those onyx eyes that were the beginning of everything. “And I knew he’d catch me when I fell.”

Addie sniffled. “Don’t you dare make me cry. If I start, I won’t stop.”

Beckett chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife. “Such a tender heart.”

“It’s the hormones.” She wiped at her eyes.

Beckett nuzzled her neck. “Sure, it is.”

My dad moved through the crowded room to my side. “Love you. Don’t you dare do that to me again.”

I leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Ramsey said something similar.”

“I knew I liked him.”

Warmth spread through me at that. Ramsey had become a part of our ragtag family, even if he hadn’t wanted to. And it was exactly what he needed.

My dad reached out a hand to him. “Thank you for doing everything in your power to save her.”

Ramsey swallowed hard. “I’d do anything for her.”

“I know it. That’s why I like you.”

“Hey, guys,” Hayes called.

Everyone looked over at him. “Think we could clear out for a few minutes? There are two boys who really want to see Shiloh and Ramsey.”

My heart clenched. “Aidan and Elliott are here?”

Hayes smiled at me. “Came first thing this morning. Refused to let the Millers take them home until you woke up.”

Tears filled my eyes again. Ramsey leaned over, wiping them away. “Don’t let them see you crying.”

“It’s okay if they see. Then they’ll know how much I’ve missed them.” They were the one piece of the puzzle that was missing.

“We’ll be back,” my mom whispered, giving me another kiss.

My family filed out one by one, and I practically bounced in my bed. Ramsey growled at me. “Don’t pull at your stitches.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. “I’m happy.”

He shook his head but kissed me soundly. “Love you.”

“Love you more.”

A throat cleared in the doorway, and I pulled away from Ramsey. Hayes stood there with Aidan and Elliott.

Aidan bumped Elliott’s shoulder. “See, El? Told ya. If he’s kissing her, she’s just fine.”

Elliott flew at the bed. Thankfully, Ramsey caught him as he launched himself and deposited him gently beside me. “Careful. She’s got some stitches in her stomach, so we have to be really gentle.”

Elliott bobbed his head up and down. “Does it hurt?”

“A little. But it helps to see you and Aidan.” I figured going with a watered-down version of the truth couldn’t hurt.

“But you’re gonna be okay, right?”

“I’ll be chasing you around the barn before you know it.”

Elliott puffed up his chest. “I’ll take care of Sky and Onyx for you until you’re better.”

The burning behind my eyes was back. “I can’t imagine a better caregiver.” I looked up at Aidan, who stood at the foot of my bed. “Think you’d be up for helping?”

He nodded. “Of course. Whatever you need.”

I motioned Aidan closer. When he was just a step away, his hand found mine, and he squeezed. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I...” He swallowed thickly. “I was so scared.”

I squeezed his hand back and then pulled him down for a hug, not giving a damn that my stomach felt like it was on fire. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Elliott lay down next to me, burrowing into my side. “Love you, Shiloh.”

Aidan released me, wiping under his eyes. “Me, too,” he whispered.

Everything burned now, but it was the good kind—a fire that blazed because so much love surrounded me that I was drowning in it. My gaze lifted to Ramsey’s over Elliott’s head. “Never thought I’d get this lucky. I couldn’t love you all more.”