Page 27 of Swerve (Boosted Hearts 1)

He grabbed my arm when we climbed in the elevator. “Ruby’s been though a lot. You need to rein in those emotions. She needs to focus on getting better, not worrying about you right now, yeah?”

Because she would worry. She’d put me first, like she did all the time, like she did for everyone. “I’ve got this.” Even as the words left my mouth, I knew they were bullshit. I was so far gone I was close to jumping out of my skin.

The doors slid open and Hunter and I strode out. Jude and Zeke were still parking the car. I saw Lulu walk out of a room at the far end of the corridor and I picked up the pace.

“Lulu?”

She looked up at the sound of my voice and her eyes locked on. They were glistening, like she’d been crying. She moved to Hunter instantly and he wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

“She’s in bad shape,” she whispered. A sob burst past her lips. “Seeing her like that . . . God, this isn’t about me.” She shook her head.

“Jesus.” Hunter held her tighter. “If this is too close for you, babe, go home. We’re here for Ruby.”

She shook her head again. “No. I’m fine. I just needed a minute to get my shit together.”

I moved past them, hand to the door, but Lulu reached out, grabbing my wrist. “You can’t go in there.”

I stared down at her. “Come again?”

Lulu’s expression went from sad to one of pity. “She doesn’t want to see anyone else. I’m sorry.”

“She’ll see me.”

“I’m sorry, Neco, she asked me to keep you out. Right now, she’ll only see me and Van.”

“Van?” Fuck that. I tried to open the door again, but this time Hunter was the one to stop me.

“You have to respect her wishes.”

I tried to shove him away, but he stood his ground. “Let me past.”

The guy looked grim. “Not happening.”

The door opened again and Van walked out as Zeke and Jude reached us.

“What’s going on?” Jude asked.

Van shook his head. “Ruby’s not ready to see anyone.”

The guy looked pointedly at me when he said this. Jude and Zeke were already standing in front of the door, barring it. I was close to losing my damned mind. If I didn’t see her for myself—see her fucking breathing, feel her eyes on me—I would crack. I would go insane.

I eyeballed Jude. The guy shrugged.

“Any news?” Van asked Hunter.

Hunter handed him my phone. That message was burned into my brain, and I knew it would never leave me as long as I lived. I ignored them all, trying to work out my chances of getting past and to my girl.

“She called you?” Van asked, voice rough. I turned to him, guilt slamming into me at the accusation in his voice. “Why didn’t you get this?”

I watched Van look back down at the message again, his eyes narrowing. He held up the phone. “Ah you were too busy to listen. This was when we were at Stilettos, right?” He shook his head. “So you were fucking while Ruby was fighting for her life?”

Hunter shoved his brother off. “Shit. Not cool, Van.”

Van’s nostrils flared, chest expanding with each angry breath, trying to calm down. “You haven’t see her,” he said to Hunter, then his eyes slid to me. “She’s family, Neco. None of us have much of one, not the blood kind. She’s only got us. I don’t give a fuck what’s going on between you two, we’re it for her. When she calls, you answer the fucking phone.”

I’d felt like shit many times in my life, but never like this. I felt like the lowest, slimiest piece of garbage in existence. Everything Van said was true. Still, I needed to be with her. I couldn’t be barred from her. I was her family. I meant something to her and I’d failed her. But she was that for me as well. Shit, that and so much more.

“She needs me.”