He shrugged, dropping his head to the side. “As I live and breathe, but respect. Yeah?” He held a hand out. I shook it, and he extended it to the others, saying, “Met Harper through his dad and my uncle. We kept in touch, but I didn’t know he was like this. Or maybe I did. That was back when I was a douche, so maybe that’s why we were friends. Gotta admit, never felt totally right coming out here, getting his call out of the blue.” He nodded toward me. “But it was nice to be on the right side this time.”

Jordan, Cross, and Zellman all gave me a look, all with their eyebrows raised.

“I’ll fill you guys in.”

Jordan grunted.

After that, Alex left.

The others were starting to leave as well. Most went right away, probably fearing they’d get in trouble by being associated with Harper.

Jordan said to Jade, “Mind giving us a moment?”

Zellman nodded to Angeline, too.

Both girls went toward Jade’s SUV.

The guys moved in, and without pausing, Jordan came forward and cupped my face in both hands.

“Oh!” I jumped, then his forehead touched mine. “Hello. Hi.”

He breathed out, closing his eyes. “Are you okay?” His voice was strangled.

My eyes darted to the side, seeing the same emotion reflected on Zellman’s face.

Both were intense.

“Yeah.” I let out some air.

I could feel Jordan take a breath. In. Out. And he said under his breath, “Thank fucking God.” He released me, stepping back and he blinked rapidly. “Thank fucking God.”

His words were whispered.

Zellman moved in.

I was expecting the same face-cupping thing, but he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. It was a big bear hug, and he moved me back, carrying me a total of three steps before setting me back down.

He whispered in my ear, “If anything had happened to you—anything.” He pulled back, his eyes hard and he shook his head. “Anything.”

I knew what he was saying. Understanding spread through me, and I reached up, grasping his wrists. My hands held tight, and I said just as fiercely back, “Same.”

He jerked his head up and down, stiff. “I fucking love you, Bren.”

“Same.”

He moved forward, cupping the back of my head and he pressed a kiss there. “Shit. I love you.” He sniffed and wiped at his nose once, almost savagely, before rolling his shoulders. He turned around. “Come on. Let’s see to the girls.”

Jordan gave me another one of those intense nods before they went over.

I moved up next to Cross, and we watched as Jordan went over, opened Jade’s driver’s door where she was sitting. Words were exchanged. He looked firm. She looked surprised, but she slid out and he took her place.