Page 60 of Trace's Passion
Trace laughed, “I guess you didn’t hear that she is moving here with Emery then? The girls have been planning it for a bit.”
Kian’s head snapped up and he looked at him in shock and happiness, “Really? She's moving here?”
Trace nodded, “Yeah, I'm surprised she isn’t here yet. She hated it in that town and doesn’t really have people.”
Kian nodded, “Her parents are garbage. She spent more time at our house than she did her own.”
Trace nodded; he knew exactly why. If he had a friend, he would have spent more time with them too.
He looked over at Kian, “So what are you going to do about her moving here now? How has she not found someone else yet?”
Kian winced, “Um, well. Ha. That’s a funny story, but I kind of let everyone know she was mine. And that she was off limits. Hell, she didn’t even get asked to prom. I just ‘swooped’ in and saved her from not being dateless. Emery thinks I was so selfless to do that. Except it was my own machinations. She would kill me for sure if she knew that. She was already angry enough at Reid and I for not letting anyone ask her.”
Trace let out a startled laugh, “Oh man. Yep. She would kill you. From what I know about Karalee, and their friendship, Em would definitely kill you. But there could be some hope for you yet.”
Kian looked over and raised one eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
Trace shrugged, “Emery told me that Karalee had a crush on you. Or used to. I don’t know if she does now.”
Kian’s eyes went wide, “Really? She did?”
Trace shrugged again, “Emery told me the other night. She thought it was hilarious that Karalee liked you because you were so closed off and hadn’t dated. Emery kind of talked her out of it.”
Kian cursed, “Damn it. Emery. We are going to have words.”
Trace snickered, “Have a good time with that conversation.”
Kian cursed again and Trace burst out laughing.
Reid stirred on the bed and opened his eyes, making both of them go still.
When Reid looked around the room, he winced at the bright lights.
Reid lifted his hand off the bed and Kian walked over, “How are you feeling?”
He pushed the button to call for the doctor and Reid swallowed hard a few times.
He had a special bed that he was laying on his stomach in and his back was exposed, showing all the burns there.
His back was shiny with the medicine they put on it and Reid’s shoulder was in a bandage, as was one leg.
Trace leaned in and heard Reid whisper that it hurt like a bitch. He felt horrible that Reid had been so hurt for him.
Trace felt so guilty and when Kian gestured him over to let Reid see him and Reid’s eyes were slightly unfocused.
Trace sat in the chair Kian had vacated and said, “Thank you Reid. For saving my life.”
Reid nodded softly, his words quiet as he said, “I know how much you love her. You couldn’t get killed just as you were starting out. It wouldn’t be fair.”
Trace nodded and swallowed hard. “Well, I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I am in your debt.”
Reid shook his head in tiny increments, his face screwed up in pain, “We are brothers now. Whether it’s now or in the future. I knew it from the minute you were going to sacrifice yourself to keep her safe.”
Trace looked up at Kian who also nodded, “He isn’t wrong. You are family now.”
Trace grinned, his voice gone as the emotions hit him hard. “I haven’t really had a family most of my life. I am honored to call you brothers.”
Reid opened his palm and they shook hands softly and Kian hugged him.
