I didn’t want the wheelchair and when I said so, he didn’t argue. I think he kind of wanted to stay close to me, anyway. Looping an arm around my waist to support me, he made himself my crutch while we took painfully slow steps up the ramp and back inside through the rear entrance.
As expected, all his siblings, plus their spouses, but no children, were still loitering in the kitchen.
We pulled to a halt and faced them together.
Noel took one look at Brandt’s still-incredibly-pale face and swollen, bloodshot eyes before he erupted. “That fucking bitch! I’m going to kill her.”
His words uncorked the pressure brewing in everyone, and they all started talking at once, threatening all manner of disembowelment and torture to their mother, and promising justice for Brandt.
Knowing this was exactly what he wanted to avoid, I held up a hand and shouted, “No!”
The family actually quieted, which made me blink, a little shocked my command had worked. But now that I had everyone’s attention, I was going to steer the conversation to where Brandt wanted it.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I started. “Each of you will have a turn to say whatever you need to say to him. There will be no questions about the actual event, but you can let him know that you do not blame him for anything, and love him no matter what. And then, after that, we’ll never speak of this again. Got it?”
This time, I think my authority managed to shock everyone else too. Even Brandt gazed at me with raised eyebrows. But at least they followed my rules.
Ten was the first to clear his throat and wave a hand before stepping forward. “Can I go first?” When I realized he was asking me, I raised an eyebrow and gave him a nod.
He turned to Brandt. “Dude... You’re my wife’s brother and my daughter’s uncle. You’re family, and you always will be, no matter what. I got your back, man.”
When Ten reached out a fist to pound it out, Brandt tightened his grip on my waist but used his free hand to bump his knuckles against his brother-in-law’s.
Following right behind her husband, Caroline threw her arms around Brandt’s neck and hugged him hard. He had to let go of me to hug her back, so I shuffled toward the kitchen counters and leaned against them to support my weight as his sister cried, “I love you, bubba. I’m so sorry I didn’t save you. I wish I’d known what was happening. I would’ve torn into that room and broken her fucking neck.”
Nodding, Brandt took her words with a small smile that dropped as soon as Colton stepped forward.
“I’m sorry,” his younger brother choked out. “I’m so sorry.”
Jaw hard, Brandt didn’t seem to want to forgive him. But after a glance at me, he turned back and said, “It’s all in the past.”
Aspen was next to hug him. For a moment, I thought all she was going to do was hold him, but after an infinity of keeping him close, she pulled back, tears glistening in her eyes. “I know I’m only your sister-in-law, but after nine years of helping raise you—”
“No, Colton was right,” Brandt assured her. “You are our mom.”
Her tears fell a little faster as she smiled. “Well, I must say, I have a mother’s pride every time I look at you. You’ve become the noblest, kindest, most compassionate man I know. No matter what happened to you in that hellhole before Noel brought you to me, you haven’t let it mar your integrity or keep you from being happy. I know you think us finding out was the worst thing that could happen to you, but you’ll find out soon, it’s actually the best thing. We love you. So much. You’ll get past this.”
After another quick hug, she stepped back, leaving only Noel to speak. With a helpless shrug, he shook his head. “Well, hell. I don’t know what there is to say after that.” But then his eyes filled with tears as he studied Brandt’s face. “Except, I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I’ve failed you.”
“No.” Brandt shook his head and yanked Noel in for a hug. “No. You saved me. You saved all of us. And I never thanked you for showing up when you did and bringing us here.”
“Dammit,” Caroline muttered. “Now you two are making me cry.” Hurrying forward, she joined their hug. A second later, Colton announced he was feeling left out.
The four siblings hugged in a group, all of them crying until they began to laugh weepily at themselves. Finally, when they pulled apart, Brandt immediately sought me out, and he seemed to release a relieved breath when our gazes met.
I’d never seen him look so vulnerable, so serious, so beaten. It broke my heart. But knowing I was the one he depended on most also emboldened me. He wanted to escape this moment, so I was going to help him.
Pressing a hand to my abdomen, I said, “You mind if I sit down? Feels like my legs are about to wobble out from beneath me.”
“Shit, sorry.” He leaped forward and then steered me toward a chair at the table. Then he hovered next to me and set a warm hand on my shoulder before glancing at his siblings. “I’m going to take Sarah home. I’ll probably stay there tonight.”
No one had a problem with that, so...it was settled. Brandt was coming home with me.
BRANDT
I felt drained, exhausted, and sore. For a moment, I wasn’t sure why I was so sore, but then I realized I’d been holding myself tense for the past couple hours. My muscles were probably screaming for a little relaxation.
When the door to Sarah’s bedroom opened, I turned my face on the pillow where I’d been resting my head and staring up at her ceiling to watch her roll into the room. My chest tightened with emotion as she smiled at me. But my muscles, they seemed to let out a sigh of relief.