Chapter 29

Once we foundout Seb was out of surgery and in the ICU, no one moved to go home as suggested. We stayed and waited on the edge of our seats, tense with fear and anxiety, as we hoped with all we had that he would make it through the night.

We stayed.

We waited.

We prayed.

I was sick with guilt while I watched Atticus, Lyric, Theo, Mama, and even Yaya break, as they each came to grips with what Derek had done.

Seb had saved Atticus.

Lyric had saved the rest of us.

Derek had a severe concussion from the blow to the head Lyric had served him. It made me sick to know he was in the same hospital as Seb. Max had taken me aside and assured me that Derek was under arrest and currently being guarded and would not be free to hurt anyone anytime soon.

Mama burst through the hospital doors, fresh tears cascading down her cheeks. “He’s strong. He’s. . . . He’s going to make it through this,” she said to no one in particular. Her boys were all there to quickly wrap her in a hug, seeking comfort in each other.

This was family.

Yaya came to stand next to me, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder. “My Seb is strong, just like his father was. He will be fine. I know it in my heart.”

I embraced the little spitfire in a hug. “I’m so sorry! I can’t believe all this. It’s all my fault.”

Mama’s voice broke through the crowd as she pushed her boys aside to pull me into a bear hug. “None of this is your fault! You hear me? I don’t want to hear another word about it!” She stepped back to look me in the eyes, her gaze determined to get her point across. “Did you shoot my son?”

“N-no.”

“Then that’s all there is to it. That monster is the only one to blame, and I won’t have you feeling guilty for something outside of your control.” Her confident gaze bore into me. “You’re family, Bodhi, and I’m so glad my boys were able to protect you.”

I couldn’t help it. I was overcome with emotion as this mother accepted me into her family and negated my guilt as one of her sons was fighting for his life.

I embraced her in another hug as tears streamed down both our faces. “Thank you... Mama,” I whispered in her ear.

When she looked at me again her eyes were shining with love. I couldn’t believe I was so lucky to have found a family like this, one that had embraced me so fully.

Atticus came over and wrapped us both in his arms as he kissed the top of my head. I was brimming with so many emotions—too many to process. I just let Atticus hold me as we continued to stay strong for Seb while he fought his way through the night.

We all waited, stressed, and paced throughout the night. By 8:00 a.m. the next morning, we were all completely strung out. I needed to know Seb was going to be okay before I could even consider resting, and I was sure the others felt the same.

A nurse came out to say Seb had a good night and the doctor would tell us more after his rounds. It wasn’t until 9:34 a.m. that his doctor finally came out to give us an update that we were all so desperately waiting for.

Seb was going to be okay, he’d had a good night and was stable. The doctor mentioned something about more surgery and that he had a long recovery ahead.

He made it through his first night, which was usually the most risky. He would stay in the ICU, sedated for a few more days, depending on how he progressed, but he could have two visitors at a time with precautions taken. Atticus and Lyric were able to go in to see him. I knew Atticus needed to see his brother to reassure himself that he was okay and that the nightmare that kept replaying in his head was over.

I stood with Kay as I let go of Atticus’s hand and watched him walk past the ICU nurses’ station and out of sight.

“I’m so glad he’s going to be okay.” I sighed in relief.

“Me too.” Kay placed his arm over my shoulders. “I’m also glad you’re okay and that everyone else is safe now, too.”

“How are you doing?” I asked, looking Kay over. All his muscles were tense, and he was paler than usual, but with everything that had happened, it was to be expected.

“I’m fine, just worried, you know.” He shrugged.

“Seb will be okay. The doctor sounded optimistic. The sedation is just a precaution to give his body time to heal.”

“I know, and I’m so glad. I’m worried about Lyric. He still seems to be in shock. He seems cold, numb, and withdrawn after the ordeal. I’m not sure how to help him with something like this,” Kay said. The pain in Kay’s voice was obvious, but there was also a longing, too. He was worried sick about Lyric and how he would cope.

“Lyric’s strong. All the Papadakises are. You just need to let him know you’re there for him. We’ll support each other in any way we can.” I patted his shoulder.

Kay gave me a sad smile. “I hope we can.”

“We will,” I said with as much determination and conviction as I could muster. If I’d learned anything from the Papadakis family, it was that they all took care of each other. No one was neglected or left to find their own way. They would stop at nothing to take care of each other. It was an amazing bond to have. I was still pinching myself that I had found my way here to Atticus and the family I never truly dreamed I could have.