I wrap my fingers around it, the metal cool and solid in my grip.
As they turn to go, Clay pauses at the door and looks back at me, his grin softer this time. “We’ll see you soon, alright?”
Patty gives Logan a long, warm hug, like she’s done it a thousand times. “Look after her, darlin’. And don’t forget to look after yourself, too.”
“You have my word, Patty,” he murmurs, steady and sure. “I’ll bring her back soon.”
She nods, eyes shining, then reaches out to brush a loose strand of hair from my cheek. “You’ve got this, sweetheart.”
Then they’re gone, the door clicking shut behind them, and the room feels quieter—but not emptier.
Logan rests a hand gently on my lower back. “You okay?”
I look down at the key in my hand, the tiny weight of it anchoring something inside me. Then I look up at him.
“I don’t know why… but they feel like family.”
His smile is soft and full of something I can’t name.
Chapter 6
Logan
Istep into the apartment and freeze.
Boxes. Everywhere. Stacked in corners. Taped shut. The cupboards are bare. Even my stuff’s been slapped into cardboard and labeled in black Sharpie: Wogi Bear.
The fridge hums low in the background, blending with the rustle of packing paper and the occasional thump of tape sealing another box.
Trey’s perched on the counter, shoveling cereal into his mouth like the apartment isn’t being gutted around him. “Welcome back,” he says, cheeks puffed, words muffled by food as he grins like an idiot.
Chace tosses a roll of tape in the air, catching it easily. “Took your time.”
“Looks like you’ve all been busy?” I ask.
Sam gestures around us. “Heavy shit on the bottom. Figured you’d freak if we did it wrong.”
Trey lifts his spoon in salute. “Well, they packed. I curated the playlist and provided moral support. Vital role. Backbone of the operation, really.”
I just stare at them. “You didn’t have to do this.”
Chace shrugs. “Seemed like your hands were full. Besides, it’s nothing you haven’t done for us a hundred times.”
“Hey, I helped too,” Trey says. “I literally just said that. I’m great at following instructions. Logistics, bro. Fact.”
“Trey,” Sam mutters, “shut up and eat your cereal.”
“Instructions unclear. Dick stuck in toaster,” Trey deadpans.
We all laugh.
“So…” Chace tosses a box toward the door. “Where to now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not at the hospital anymore. And word is, she’s getting discharged…”
Sam steps closer, calm and steady. “Is it true? Is our girl coming home?”
