“Yeah, I really do.”
I hoped she was right.
EPILOGUE
ASPEN
“They’re on their way,” Coal announced.
“Crap! I’m not ready. Will you finish these cupcakes so I can change clothes?” I asked.
“Yes, but mine aren’t going to look as good as yours,” he warned.
“It’s fine. Just do the best you can,” I said and handed him the bag of frosting.
Luke was on his way home from the hospital, and we were having a small welcome-home party for him.
Josie was adamant that he wouldn’t want us to make a big fuss over him, which is likely why Tatum insisted we did. I didn’t care one way or the other. I was just happy he was alive and well enough to come home. His doctors said it would take some time, but they expected him to make a full recovery.
I returned to the kitchen to find Game working on the cupcakes instead of Coal. “I watched him do two, and then I had to step in,” he explained and pointed to the two cupcakes with a glob of icing on top. Then, he continued decorating the remaining cupcakes like a professional. He noticed me staring and grinned. “Don’t bother asking because I won’t tell you.”
Any other time, I would have pushed him for answers, but at that moment, I was running out of time and grateful for his help.
"Grab the pigs in a blanket. I've got the cupcakes," I said. We hurried to the common room and placed the last two trays of food on the table seconds before they pulled into the parking lot.
I watched through the window as Josie escorted Luke to the front door. His arm was in a sling, but he seemed steady on his feet.
When they came through the door, shouts of “Surprise!” and “Welcome home!” filled the room.
He glanced at Josie and then found Tatum in the crowd. “I knew you two were up to something.”
Tatum grinned. “Yes, you should have. Your skills must be slipping.”
“Let the man at least come in and have a seat before you start giving him shit,” Batta said.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
While Josie led him to a sofa, I made my way over so I could give him a hug before he sat down. I hadn’t seen him on his feet since before the shooting, and there was just something different about hugging someone when they were standing up versus sitting down.
He smiled when he saw me coming and wrapped his good arm around me when I reached him. “I suppose you had something to do with this too.”
“Maybe,” I confessed and let go of him so he could sit. “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
“Yes, please,” he answered quickly. “You were right. Hospital food is disgusting.”
“I’ll get it if you’ll stay with him,” Josie said.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Luke argued.
“Yeah, well, I need you to have one,” she said over her shoulder as she left to get his food.
Luke sighed and shook his head.
“This has been hard for her,” I said quietly. “Let her take care of you. I think she needs to.”
“I’m trying,” he admitted. “It’s not something I’m used to, or comfortable with, for that matter.”
“You’re a tough guy. You can handle anything for a couple of weeks.”