And then he appeared, moving forward, hands clenched into fists, his face full of rage. Tuck. Oh, Tuck. How are you here? Is this real? His face blurred and I drifted, sighing out in wonder. I’d conjured him. “I was coming to you,” I said, the words streaming together.

And then I heard yells and the sounds of a scuffle and the wet cracks of punches landing, and I tried desperately to pull myself from the stupor I was in, but the stars were so bright, and Tuck was somewhere nearby even though there was no way he could be. And perhaps I was dreaming, but if I was, why was I still in so much pain?

Then I smelled him, Tuck, and arms were wrapping around me, and a high-pitched moan released from my chest as he moved me slightly, his fingers pressing into my flesh. “I’m so sorry, Em. I’ve got you. You’re okay. Let me see.” He moved down my arms and then my legs, releasing a breath that sounded full of relief. “I’m going to sit you up,” he said. “Remember when we used to play red rover, Em? And you would charge that line with all your might and then land on the ground so hard it shocked me. But then you’d get up. You always got up, you never stay down for long, do you, Em?”

I cried when he brought me to a sitting position, my head throbbing so hard I thought I’d pass out. And maybe I did because a moment later he was cradling me in his arms, his lips warm at my temple, and water at my lips. I took in several sips and then he brought the bottle from my mouth. “You’re really here,” I said, clutching at his jacket and his hair, running my hands over his face.

“I’m here. I was coming for you. I love you, Emily. I love you so much. And I’m so sorry I didn’t say it because it’s true and it’s the only thing that’s real. You’re okay. You’re going to be okay.” Then he lifted me gently and set me on the dirt bike before getting on, so I was facing him. “Can you sit up?” he asked.

I nodded. I was so woozy, but my body seemed to be working, even if I was having a hard time stringing thoughts together. The dirt bike rumbled to life, and we began moving, the wind in my hair once again, but this time in the other direction. I lay my head against Tuck’s heart, the beat steady and strong right beneath my ear. “I love you,” I murmured. “I’ve always loved you.”

“I love you too,” he said again. “And I’m going to get you home and love you every day for the rest of your life.”

“Promise?”