Page 20 of Sweet Anarchy

Tyson comes back into the room as the nurse exits, cell in his hand. "I spoke to Rylee. She's on her way."

"Good," I mutter, allowing myself to fully relax for a moment. I'll see my girl soon and that's all I needed.

A crash and bang jolts me awake.

I hadn't realized I had fallen back asleep. I only closed my eyes for a second to relax. I'm annoyed at myself because I've clearly done enough sleeping since the shooting.

I also should have realized that Rylee would make a grand entrance. That girl never does anything quietly.

Through the glass door, I spot blonde hair stumbling as she apologizes to a nurse before barging through the door.

"Chuck!" Rylee says loudly, her eyes wide as she takes a moment to look me over. I can see the relief in her eyes.

"What on Earth did you do?" I ask, watching her three stepbrothers outside the glass lean down to help a nurse.

She looks back, a sheepish, guilty grin on her face. "I accidentally knocked over a tray. My turning radius isn't great at the moment."

I shake my head, laughing silently. Rylee moves to my side, nearly barrelling poor Tyson out of the way to get to me.

"I'm fine," I reassure her, laughing again when she frowns at me.

"Don't play games with me right now," she murmurs, clutching my hand. "I was worried sick."

Tyson snorts, covering his mouth to muffle it as he moves out of the way. He gives a nod to Asher, Blake and Zayn as they finally come through the door.

I'm not surprised to see them here – I knew they would be close behind her. But I am surprised to find they also look relieved to see me awake.

"You brought your posse with you, babe," I tease, giving a warm nod to them.

Rylee blinks and I can tell her eyes are a little watery, but she's fighting back whatever emotion she's feeling right now.

I'm relieved to find she's in one piece. Well, almost…

I reach out, touching her shoulder where a piece of gauze sits. "Did you get hurt?" I ask sadly.

She shakes her head. "Not badly. Just a few shrapnel cuts and grazes."

"Good," I mutter. "I did my job then."

I feel some tension from the guys behind her, my eyes automatically shifting to them as my body goes on alert. But it's short lived when I find no one is glaring at me. If anything, the worst of it is Asher. He looks worse for wear, his face tight as he fights off obvious exhaustion.

"I told you I'd protect her," I direct to him.

Rylee looks at me before glancing back at Asher. He nods briskly in response.

"I know," he answers in a short tone. Surprisingly, there's no resentment or hostility. He does genuinely seem okay with me. I was expecting a lecture or outburst from him about me putting Rylee in danger, but it doesn't come.

Huh. Maybe he's growing up after all. It was his idea for Rylee to go out. I think about that for a moment, realizing I haven't read his reaction properly at all. I'm so used to angry, hostile Asher that I didn't notice the actual expression in his eyes.

Guilt.

Does he feel guilty about Rylee going to the bar? Or me getting hurt protecting her?

I don't bring it up right now, it's not the time. Reunions should be happy, and right now, I have exactly what I need right with me, holding my hand.

"So, lay it on me," I say, changing the subject. "How bad is it?"

Rylee's face contorts for a brief second before she realizes what I'm asking.

---