The girls rush to the bed, and I have to wheel myself back to make room for the parade of women surging forward.The guys position themselves beside me as we watch the emotional reunion unfold.After several minutes of hugging and tearful exchanges, Brian breaks the moment.
"Christ, a room full of sexy chickens is nice to look at, but boy, do they give you a headache."
The room falls silent.I smirk as four women turn to glare at him.
"Chickens?"Amanda's eyebrow arches dangerously."You called us chickens?"
"Oh, Amanda," Bella interjects with a laugh."Chill.At least he called us sexy chickens."
Brian wiggles his eyebrows, flashing that trademark smile of his.
"Dickless rooster," Amanda mutters as she turns back to Alex.
I can't help but laugh at Brian's bewildered expression."What did you say?"he demands.
"She called you a dickless rooster, my friend," I repeat, enjoying his discomfort.
Everyone joins in the laughter except Brian.Before he can defend his honor, the nurse returns."Okay, I'm sorry, guys, but visiting time is over.Both your friends need rest."
Emma pulls something from her bag and hands it to Alex."Charlotte made this for you."
Alex's smile is tender as she studies the drawing."Please give Smartypants a big kiss and tell her I'll see her soon."She glances around."Who's with the kids?"
"They're at my parents' house," Nick answers."They send their love."
After a chorus of goodbyes, the room empties.Alex lets out a deep sigh, resting her head back on the pillow as I wheel myself back to her side.
"God, I'm beat," she admits.
The nurse nods knowingly."You're healing.You need rest.So, big guy, say bye.I'm bringing you back to your room."
Alex's hand shoots out to grab mine."No.I don't want to be alone."Her voice cracks as she fights back tears."Please, can he stay?"Her fingers tighten around mine."I won't sleep or rest when I'm alone; I need him."
Something softens in the nurse's eyes."You know what?This is a large space.What if I bring an extra bed for Mr.Walker?That way, you both can rest in the same room."
Alex's smile is radiant despite her exhaustion."Thank you.You're the best nurse in this hospital."
The woman's brown eyes sparkle as she chuckles."I'll get the bed," she says, heading for the door.
I lean forward, resting my head on Alex's leg while my thumb traces patterns on the back of her hand.The simple contact grounds me, reminds me this is real.We're both here.We're alive.
"Close your eyes," I murmur, looking up at her."Let's rest for a moment."
She does, and I watch as her features gradually relax, the tension melting away.My own eyes drift shut as I focus on the warmth of her skin beneath my hand.Within seconds, sleep begins to pull at me, and my last conscious thought repeats like a prayer:
We made it.We really made it.
44
COLE
"Ah, shit...Goddammit."
"Need help, Alex?"
"No!"
I grin at the sound of heels tapping impatiently on the linoleum bathroom floor.One week since we escaped that basement.Seven days of healing, of nightmares, of holding each other through the dark hours.We're in trauma counseling now, learning to process what happened.The police found cameras in the warehouse basement that recorded everything – concrete proof we were victims of a psychopath.
