I tell her, and she gives me a quick smile, then winks at Ian before going out in the hall. Ian looks at me with one eyebrow raised. “What was that about?”
I don’t want to get his hopes up, so I just shrug and change the subject, nodding toward the hospital bed. “Did the doctors say if he’s okay?”
“Broken arm and some bruises. Cracked ribs. But yeah, they think he’ll be okay. They arrested that asshole, but what does it matter? They’ll just place us with another one.”
“Maybe not.” We both jump at the sound of Grayson’s voice behind me before he walks inside. He gives an apologetic smile to Ian. “Sorry for being a creeper.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation and the dark mood of the room, Ian brightens slightly when he sees Grayson. “It’s okay.”
“Grayson, what are you doing here? How did . . .” I stop midsentence because I know. “Bree?”
He doesn’t shrink away or look at all ashamed. “Yeah. We still text sometimes.”
I should be pissed, but I’m not. I don’t have any rights to either of them. They can talk to whoever they want, and it doesn’t surprise me at all that Bree has kept up with him, knowing how I feel about him.
Grayson’s eyes scan over Max’s sleeping form, and he looks sick to his stomach. I know how much he loves these kids. It’s the thing that attracted me to him in the first place. “What can we do?” His voice cracks and is eerily quiet.
“I don’t know.”
But Blair does, she breezes in with her brightest smile—put there purposely to make us all feel at ease. She turns to me, projecting strength and calm, even though I know she’s shaking with rage on the inside. “Okay, so I talked to my social-worker friend, and since I’ve kept up with all the foster-care stuff, Rhys and I can take Ian and Max in.”
Ian looks over at her from his chair, a curious but guarded look on his face. “What?”
He’s never met Blair, but I’ve told him about her. “Ian, this is Blair. The woman who took Fletch, Bree, and me in when we needed her. And it seems she’s going to do the same for Max and you.”
“Why?” He can’t help it. He doesn’t trust people, and I understand that more than anyone. Blair doesn’t flinch either because she had to deal with my surly ass for so long.
She walks to him and kneels down so she can look him in the eyes. She gives him that comforting, sweet gaze that, coming from such a strong woman, instills calm in everyone around her. “I have plenty of room at my house, and it seems you and Max need a place to stay.” Ian nods his head slowly. “I’d like to give that to you.”
“But why?”
I stand stiff next to Grayson, hoping he’ll trust her, but knowing it’ll take time. “Blair and Rhys have been nothing but good to me. I promise you’ll be safe with them. She may force you to eat vegetables and take vitamins, but that’s as bad as it gets at her house.”
I see Blair smile at that as she cups Ian’s cheek carefully. “I know you’ve been through hell, and I wish I could fix it for every kid out there. But if I can help a few, then that’s what I’m going to do. I want to help you.”
Damn, she’s good. I remember when I didn’t understand the motive behind her wanting to help me either, but now I know. Rhys was abused. The man she loves more than anyone in the world went through horrible pain and torture when he was in foster care, and no one saved him.
Not until her. When he was already a grown, angry man.
“O-okay,” Ian says, still hesitant, but I see his desire to trust her in his gaze.
“Okay, great.” Blair stands up, taking that as a win and not pushing it because again—she’s skilled. She looks over at Grayson. “Grayson, can you stay with Ian for a minute. I want to talk to Rhett.”
He agrees, and I go out in the hall with Blair, where she pulls me into a quick hug, taking all my pain into herself in that brief hold. “It’s going to be okay.”
I want to break down. I want to scream because it’s never okay. Not really. But I don’t. I only nod as she releases me from the tight hold but braces me by my shoulders. “I’m going to take them both in temporarily at first. But I’m approved for long-term care too, so I’ll file all that. The social worker is on the way. I’m not going to let anything else happen to them, Rhett. I promise.”
I know she won’t. “Thank you.” I feel a rush of guilt because I know she’s doing this for me. “You don’t have to do this . . .”
“Stop,” she easily quiets me, leveling me with a stern look. “I’m lucky, Rhett. You know that, right? I’m the lucky one to have Bree, Fletcher, and you as my kids. I lucked into all of you, and now, I’m adding Max and Ian to that.”
I snort and shake my head at her. “Why?” It’s the same question Ian asked her, the one I already know the answer to. But it still escapes my mouth because you’d think if she was really doing it for Rhys, she’d feel pretty damn satisfied with saving Bree, Fletcher, and me. More than. That’s three for one.
She studies me in a way that makes me squirm, and then a smile forms on her lips. “I don’t know how I’ll ever convince you of this, but I didn’t save you. I didn’t save any of you. You all came into my life, and you made it better. Yes, it gave me a purpose, but you gave me much more. So much more.”
“Pretty sure I gave you a hard time.”
She laughs. “And I gave it right back. I love a challenge. And I love you and Bree and Fletch. You guys and Rhys are my everything. I never wanted to fix you because you weren’t broken. You’re all strong, beautiful, and funny. Brilliant in your own ways, and I’ve loved watching you grow.”
I know she means it. “You’re crazy.”
She cackles at that, and I laugh, too, as she hugs me again. “Duh. And now, two of my sons are gone, and I’ve just stared and stared at those empty rooms, thinking there’s someone out there who may need them, and then, bam . . .” She looks back at the hospital room and then at me. “There are two boys who need a home.”
“They’re good kids.”
“I have no doubt. It’s not a coincidence or a hassle. Not something I have to fix, but two kids I get a chance to know. No child is a burden, Rhett. Not one. They came into your life and then into mine for a reason.”
“You and destiny,” I tease because she’s a huge believer in fate.
“You’re damn right.” She kisses my cheek. “I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you too. Thank you for doing this.”
She only smiles at me, confident and strong as ever, shooting me a wink before she heads back into the room to explain more to Ian.
I don’t know why I’m one of the lucky ones that got out. But I won’t deny Max and Ian the chance to do the same.
FORTY-SEVEN
The social worker is here, sorting out paperwork, and Ian looks dead tired as he answers more questions. When they’re finished, Blair gives Ian a kind smile. “You ready to go home?”
He bolts straight up in the chair now, his eyes on Max as he shakes his head from side to side in a panicky motion. “No. I have to be here when he wakes up. He’ll freak out. He hates hospitals. Please don’t make me leave him.”
Blair swoops to his side, pulling him into an embrace. “It’s okay, sweetie. You’re exhausted though. You had a horrific day, and you need rest.”
His bottom lip trembles as he looks at her, scared and unsure. “He can’t wake up alone. He can’t.”
“I’ll be here,” Rhett declares.
“Me too,” I add because there’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere.
Ian looks at both of us, still clearly worried. “He’s terrified of the dark. Don’t turn off the light. And he hates doctors.”
We both nod in assurance, and Rhett walks to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I promise you. We won’t leave him, and we’ll keep the lights on. Okay?” He kneels in front of Ian to look into his eyes. “Blair and Rhys, they’re such good people. I know it’s hard to believe, but I swear to you, they’re both good. And Bree and Fletcher will be there too. You’re in good hands or I wouldn’t let you go.”
Ian searches Rhett’s eyes—eyes I know are sure and full of strength. “Okay.”
We say goodbye as Blair hugs Rhett and promises him she’ll take good care of Ian and they’ll be back tomorrow. Then it’s just Rhett and me in the room with a sleeping Max. The nurse brings in two cot-like chairs, but neither of us lie down.
His body is thrumming with rage, and I can see and feel it from across the room as he stares at Max, who’s broken and beaten and lying in the hospital bed. “Rhett.”
He stalks to me, nearly manic. “It’s not fucking fair.”
His voice is quiet, but I hear the fury in it. “No. It’s not.”
“Why them?” He’s shaking, and I want to pull him to me, but I know he doesn’t want to be touched right now. He can’t be. “Why kids who’ve already had a shitty life? Why are they prey for men like that?”