Only Her

He breathed a sigh of relief.

“How could hurting me be worth it?” Skylar asked Luka.

He reached out and brushed her hair away from her face. “I don’t know Sky. I hurt your heart he wanted to hurt you physically. We’re a pair, aren’t we?”

She took his hand. “Luka, you are not Tag Richardson.” He just patted her hand where it rested in his.

Skylar was admitted to the hospital. She was diagnosed with a concussion and they wanted her to stay overnight for observation. She was settled in her room when Ramona, Ava and Brett showed up.

Clearly, it did Skylar good to see Ava. Luka moved away from the bed so Ava could get close to her mother giving Brett a moment to take Luka out into the hallway to speak with him. “How’d it go?” Luka asked.

Brett rubbed his hand across his neck. “Tag is saying that Ava never liked him and she’s making it up.”

Luka cocked his head to the side and stared at his brother for a second before he responded. “What’d Isaac say?”

“That it could be hard on Ava if it went to court.”

“Oh hell no. That is what Tag is counting on.” He knew Skylar wouldn’t do anything to put Ava in situation that could potentially be rough on her. “Ava having to testify would make Sky back down to keep her out of the spotlight.”

“That’s what Isaac said. Look, he’ll have his supporters because he just does but Ava and Sky are well liked in this town. People are going to believe them.”

“So what is going on?” Luka asked.

“He was arrested while we were there on aggravated assault charges.”

“Did Ava see him?”

Brett shook his head no while he spoke. “No, she didn’t and he didn’t see her but she could hear him.” Brett was troubled. Luka could see it on his brother’s face.

“What did he say?” He knew it was bad without Brett telling him Tag’s words.

“You don’t want to know.”

Maybe he didn’t because if he did, Luka’s anger would be even more fueled and he would go after Tag Richardson then he would be brought up on charges of assault too. That wouldn’t help Ava or Sky. They needed him right now.

“Ava has practice tonight,” Luka told him. “I’d like to stay with Skylar if you don’t mind.”

“She wanted to see Sky. I called her coach and explained what happened. I told him we might make practice but if not he would know why.”

“Thanks man.”

“No problem.” Brett patted Luka’s shoulder.

They turned and went back inside Skylar’s private room. There they found Ava curled into her mother’s body. Her head resting on her chest. She was softly crying while Skylar comforted her. Ramona sat next to the bed holding Skylar’s hand.

Both women looked up when the men entered the room. Brett went to Ramona’s side; he squeezed her shoulder and she covered his hand with hers. Luka just stood in the doorway staring at them all for the longest time. In his mind, he was trying to be sure that he fit into the picture. Maybe he had stayed away too long. The doubts were rolling through him. He pushed them down quickly.

Sitting in a chair beside her bed Luka extended his legs so that he was more comfortable then he gazed at Skylar holding their daughter in her arms. She turned her head and her

eyes met his. For the first time since he arrived home her guard was down. She was vulnerable. In her face, he saw that she needed him. Skylar smiled at him. He leaned forward and laid his arm across them so that he covered them both.

Ramona rose from where she sat. “Let’s go get something from the cafeteria Brett. I’m hungry.” Luka was never so grateful to her in his life. He glanced up at Ramona and she winked at him. Brett took her hand guided Ramona out the door.

Luka scooted closer to the bed and Skylar put her arm on top of his so they were encircling Ava. “Tag won’t try to hurt Momma again, will he?” She asked.

“No,” Luka responded.

“She told me what he was saying. You know how I feel?” Skylar said.