After Siege (As the World Dies 4)

done. I can’t fault anyone for wanting to save a loved one.”

“I guess you’re right. If it had been Bette, I would’ve done anything to save her.”

“We all do stupid shit, Monica. It’s human nature.”

“Juan can be impetuous and kinda jump before he thinks, but he’s a smart guy. Usually.” Monica pointed to the wall. “He didn’t even hesitate to start building this. The minute the zombies appeared, he pushed everyone into action. It’s just hard seeing him trying to retroactively save Jenni.”

Emma had definitely noticed a change in Juan when he’d realized Belinda was at risk. She suspected he’d considered the rescue mission as some sort of second chance.

“From what I’ve heard, it sounds like Jenni usually did the saving.”

“Which was why I was scared shitless by my cousin today. I saw that same self-sacrificial impulse in him she had.”

The men jogged up to join them on their trek to the med center.

“Is Greta furious with you?” Monica asked, quickly starting a different conversation.

“Nah. She admitted that flying zombies would be hard to avoid,” Arnold answered. “But she cussed a lot.”

Juan looked relieved. “Belinda and the others are already inside, huh?”

“They got bumped to the front of the line since they were pretty messed up from their time up on the roof. Did you see those blisters on Kurt’s face?” Monica shivered. “I will never skip sunscreen again.”

“Thank God we were able to save her,” Juan said.

Emma wondered if Juan realized he’d slipped and not included the two male survivors.

Monica stopped in mid-stride, whirled about, and stopped him with a hand planted firmly against his chest. “Despite you being a dumbass.”

The group stuttered to a halt, standing awkwardly around the cousins.

With a frustrated sigh, Juan stared at Monica with a weary look on his handsome face. “I’m already gonna hear it from Nerit. Are you going to give me shit too?”

Arnold looked as embarrassed as Emma about the confrontation. Emma swiveled slightly to the left, pretending to stare at the sky.

“Yes, but I’m going to say this with love, Juan.”

“Do we have to do this right now?”

“Yeah, we do. Because you pulled some seriously stupid shit.”

Juan cast a desperate look at Emma, but she pretended not to see it. The image of him leaping onto the roof was too fresh in her mind. So was her escape from the zombies in the restroom. He deserved a lecture.

“Fine. Let me have it.”

“Saving your childhood unrequited love is not going to make you feel better about not being able to save Jenni. There isn’t a future for you in the past. You’re not going to save the girl and suddenly find happiness. This is real life. This isn’t a love story.”

Monica’s harsh words apparently registered with her cousin. “Noted.”

“And you owe Emma an apology.”

Emma stood with her arms folded, ill at ease with the entire conversation. It felt too personal to be having right in the middle of the busy entrance area. But she was peeved at Juan. He’d saved her in the end, but it couldn’t be ignored that if he hadn’t acted impetuously, she wouldn’t have needed saving in the first place.

Juan turned toward her with his green eyes cast downward. “I apologize about earlier today. I acted like an asshole. I lost my damn head. Emma, you’re the one who really rescued Belinda, not me.”

“I did what I had to,” Emma replied, embarrassed. It was awkward dealing with his guilt over his actions, but she was glad he recognized he’d fucked up.

“Again, I apologize.”