Page 59 of Trace's Passion
Chapter 18
Trace
Leaving Emery’s side was harder than he thought it would be, but she had asked him to check on Reid and he would do just that.
Following the doctor down a few hallways and up a flight of stairs, he was led to the ICU and had to wash his hands, a covering for his clothes and some gloves.
Then he was led to a private room where Reid was on a bed, and Kian was next to him, in the same outfit that Trace was in.
Kian looked up and gave half a smile. “Trace, what are you doing here?”
Trace smiled back, “Emery made me come. She wanted to do it herself, but the doctor wouldn’t let her.”
Kian chuckled slightly, “Of course she would. So she remembered who she is now?”
Trace nodded, “It took her a minute, but yes. She remembers it all.”
Kian nodded, “Good.”
Trace sighed, “How is Reid?”
Kian shrugged, “As good as can be. I still can’t believe he threw you off that bomb.”
Trace shook his head, “I can’t either. I never wanted this. I wanted her to be safe, that was all. And now Reid is in that bed with burns all over and has needed surgery.”
Kian stood, “You can’t blame yourself Trace. He did what he thought was best. He knew how broken Emery would be without you. And he was right to do that. I would've done it too in order save her from that heartache.”
Trace felt his eyes prick, and he swallowed hard over and over, “Well, thank you. I can’t say it enough. You both saved me. Saved Emery from more pain.”
Kian pulled him in for a hug, “We are brothers now. It's what we do. Or we will be soon enough.”
Trace gave a slight smile, “Yes indeed. She told me that she would marry me.”
Kian grinned, “Congratulations. You are a lucky guy. To get the best girl there is.”
Trace smiled back, “Yes, I am. There is a girl out there for you. I know it.”
Then he burst out laughing before Kian could reply and when he looked over, Kian had a bewildered look on his face, “Sorry. It’s just that after Brek met Sienna, he told me the same thing. And he was right. Let’s hope I'm right too.”
Kian chuckled, “Well, actually I already know who my girl is, but she won’t give me the time of day.”
Trace raised an eyebrow, and Kian sat back down and gestured for him to take the other chair.
“So? Who is this girl? Since I’m new to the family, you have to catch me up.”
Kian laughed and rolled his eyes, “I'm surprised Emmy didn’t tell you.”
Trace shook his head, “She sure didn’t. She told me all about you both, but not that. Does she know?”
Kian shook his head, “I don’t think she does.”
Trace nodded and stayed silent, and Kian grunted then said, “It’s her best friend. Karalee. She and Emery have been friends since they were little kids, and I've known from the get-go that she was my one and only. But I was kind of rude to her when we were kids, because my feelings scared me. So she doesn’t like me. No matter what I do now.”
Trace’s mouth dropped open and Kian ran a hand over his face, “I know. If Emery knew she would kill me. She's very protective over Karalee and has been on my case since I was rude to her. So I mainly just act as if I don’t want her. Even though she is all I think about. Every second of the damn day.”
Trace coughed, to hide his laugh. Still shocked. “You know that Emery is eventually going to find out, and I don’t really want to hide this from her.”
Kian let out a small sigh, “I know. I just don’t know what to say. Plus, Karalee is back in our old town. She isn’t here. So I don’t know what to do.”
