Like a magnetic force pulling me, I catapult myself toward him as quick as my legs can carry me.

The moment his gaze locks with mine, he opens his arms, catching me.

I wrap my legs around his waist as he fastens his arms around my back, gripping me like I’m a lifeline.

Wordlessly, he walks us over to a chair in the far corner of the room.

I bury my head in the crook of his neck as he sits us down.

He doesn’t have to say anything for me to know how much he’s hurting.

And I won’t tell him false words of encouragement and pretend like everything will be okay, because right now his universe is falling apart.

A slight tremble runs through him as he breathes me in. “You came.”

“Of course, I did.” Shifting in his lap, I cradle his jaw. “I’ll be here for however long you need me.”

Closing his eyes, he tightens his hold on me, like I’m the only thing tethering him to this world.

And that’s exactly how we stay for the next hour.

“Your father is out of surgery,” some woman wearing scrubs and a white lab coat informs us.

“That means he’s alive, right?” Oakley rasps, his skin turning pale. “That he made it?”

The doctor nods. “The surgery went well, and we were able to retrieve the bullets.” She smiles. “Your dad was really lucky. One of the bullets missed his lungs by a centimeter and the other one just missed his spine. If everything continues to go well, he should make a full recovery.”

I can feel the relief coursing through his body as Dylan and Sawyer exchange hugs.

“Can I see him?”

“Sure. The nurses are getting him set up in his room so just give them another minute.” She glances around at all of us. “However, it’s only one at a time right now and immediate family only.”

Oakley peers down at me. “Do you mind if I go?”

“Not at all.”

I start to get off his lap, but he locks my chin in his hand. A moment later, our lips meet in a feather-light kiss before he pulls back to look at me.

“Thank you.”

If it wasn’t such a serious moment, it would be almost comical. “You don’t have to thank me.”

I swiftly jump to my feet so he can go see his dad.

I can feel Sawyer and Dylan boring holes into me the moment Oakley leaves.

“It should be weird,” Dylan tells Sawyer even though her eyes are trained on me.

Sawyer sucks in a breath. “I know, but it’s not.”

Dylan takes a bite of her Twizzler. “Not even a little.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you two done gossiping yet?”

Sawyer steals one of Dylan’s Twizzlers. “Nope. We’re just getting started.”

Given my brothers will be arriving any moment, I need them to put a cork in it.

“Well, get it out of your system now before Jace and Cole get here.”

They exchange a confused glance, which only makes me confused.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I cross my arms. “You told them what happened, right?”

“Yeah,” Sawyer says softly. “We did.”

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out something is off.

“So, they’re on their way…right?”

“Not exactly.” Dylan looks down at the floor. “They said they were busy.”

Hold the fucking phone.

I place my hands on my hips. “Busy doing what?”

What the hell could be more important than being here for Oakley?

Sawyer winces. “Working out at the gym.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

I know my brothers are stubborn…which undoubtedly makes them stupid most of the time, too. But not being here for Oakley is un-freaking-acceptable.

I’m about to pull up an Uber on my phone, but I realize it will take too long. I don’t want Oakley to think I ditched him.

I turn to Sawyer. “Can I have the keys to your van?”

“Sure.” Sawyer raises a brow as she fetches them out of her purse. “But, why?”

“So I can tell my idiot brothers to get their asses here before Oakley comes back and wonders where I am.”

Sawyer looks at me like I’m insane. “Let me get this straight, you want me to let you drive my van?”

“Yes,” I deadpan, not understanding what the big deal is.

Sawyer clutches her keys protectively. “I’ve never even seen you drive before, Bianca. I don’t want you to wreck my baby.”

“I have my license,” I remind her.

Retrograde amnesia only impacts my memories, not the part of my brain that stores the skills I’ve learned in the past. Therefore, driving again would be like riding a bicycle. Kind of like how I was able to understand things like math and science when I went back to school without falling behind.

My brain already knows how to do it, the only thing standing in my way now is…well, Sawyer.

“True,” Sawyer says. “But I still think it’s risky.”

I level her with a glare. “You drive a minivan that’s older than I am.” I pluck the keys out of her hand. “Trust me, if I wreck the damn thing, I’d be doing you a favor.”

I stride toward the exit doors, but some woman barrels into me.

“Jesus, lady. If you’re gonna wear a pair of Louboutin’s you should at least learn how to walk in them first.”

“You,” she sneers, moving her finger up and down. “What the hell are you doing here?”

I do a quick once-over, but I can’t recall ever meeting her before. Although she kind of looks like an older version of Dylan.

Whatever. I have more important things to worry about than some bitchy chick inquiring about my whereabouts.

Tossing my hair back, I snap, “None of your damn business.”

Then I keep moving.

Because God gave me two dipshit brothers who constantly test my patience instead of agreeable, pleasant sisters who would do whatever the hell I told them to.

I screech to a stop next to my brother’s car just as Jace and Cole walk out of the gym.

After getting out of the vehicle, I charge toward them.

“You two have done some cruel shit before, but this takes the cake.”

Jace’s mouth falls open. “How did you—”

“Did you steal Sawyer’s van?” Cole questions. “Because that’s not fucking cool.”

It takes everything in me not to throttle them.

“You know what else isn’t cool?” Not waiting for a response, I hiss, “Ignoring your friend whose dad is lying in a hospital bed after getting shot.”

Jace averts his gaze. “I hope Wayne makes it through, but it’s not our place to be there.”

“Oak’s not our problem anymore,” Cole affirms with a nod.

“Exactly.” Jace pulls his keys out of his pocket. “Fucker dug his own grave.”

I block them when they start heading for Jace’s car.

“Jesus Christ. You two are such assholes.” And because I’m not above using guilt to get what I want, I add, “Mom and Liam would be ashamed.”

That gets their attention.