I rubbed at my cheek, looking at him. “What was that for?” I demanded.

Lucas ignored me and started shaking his hand out. “You broke my hand with your dang hard face. Wade, Wade, he broke my hand. He broke my wacking hand.” Wreck’s lips twitched, but he brought Lucas into his arms and gently checked his hand over.

“It’s bruised, but not broken,” Wreck assured him.

“Stupid boofhead.” He glared at me.

“I could have gone without knowin’ which hand you jerk off with,” Death put in.

Lucas stilled, blinked, no doubt realizing he’d overshared. He groaned, turning to me with another glare like it was my fault he’d blurted it.

“Why did you hit me?” I asked.

“Because… well, you hit Wade when you thought he was just messing with me. I don’t want you to play with Kylo. He—”

“I’m not, and I won’t. What Kylo and I have is serious, and it’ll continue no matter what happens.”

“You’ve never been with a guy before, you—”

“Neither had Wreck, but you were all okay about that. Can’t you just believe I’m in it for the good reasons? I want Kylo in my life.” I threw my hands up in frustration. “I know I’ve never even thought about bein’ with a guy before. Maybe my eyes hadn’t been opened to the possibility until the right guy came along. Yeah, I’ve known Kylo for a long time, but it wasn’t until we spent some time together did I understand I wanted more from him.”

Lucas studied me, then sighed. “I can’t argue with that.” He glanced back at Wreck before facing me again. “But if you hurt him, I will harm you. Just remember, I know the body a lot more than anyone.”

I nodded. “Got it, bro. But I’d never hurt him, not intentionally.”

“Fine, I’m going to get ice for my hand.”

He didn’t believe me completely, and I couldn’t blame him. I’d been the same when I found out about him and Wreck. Eventually, he’d see how serious I was about Kylo. Until then, I wasn’t going to waste my time or breath convincing him. Instead, I sat back down. Death sat beside me, but I didn’t pay attention to him or anyone around me. I buried my head in my hands again, closed my eyes, and prayed that everything would be all right with Kylo.

“Family for Kylo—”

“Here,” Boom yelled.

I stood, my heart beating so hard it near made me dizzy. Boom curled an arm around Wendy as they moved closer to the doctor. I stepped up with them, along with the others waiting for news. My gut churned, my ears waiting, and my eyes clung to the doctor in case he disappeared and I’d dreamed his arrival.

“Good news, he’s out of surgery, awake, but tired and dazed. Would you like to see him?”

Relief flooded my system. Suddenly it was easier to breathe.