Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"I'm pretty sure your lives have been boring without me!" Sloane says, making me laugh.

"Your brain must be perfectly fine, seeing how you're spewing nonsense after just opening your eyes." Alex says, trying not to sound bothered by I know better.

I can see how relieved he is. I am, too. I mean, she took a damn bullet for me. I'm forever in debted to this woman.

"Sloane..." I swallow the lump in my throat. Not knowing what to say.

When Isabelle texted me that she had woken up, adrenaline pumped my system

so hard I rushed forward without thinking about what I would say to her.

"Who are you?" She eyes me, slightly narrowing her eyes.

Of course, she forgot me. I mean I..

"Girl! You look like a wet cat in the rain!" She laughs. "Stop giving me that look and give me a hug!"

My eyes water as relief floods my system.

"Sloane, if you make my girl cry, I'll make you pay for it!" Alex warns, making Sloane brush him off.

"You love me too much to hurt me! Now move aside, I want to hug my favorite sister!" She says before turning to face me.

I launch myself forward, wrapping my arms around her carefully, terrified of hurting her but too overwhelmed to hold back. She feels warm. Real.

Alive.

"You scared the shit out of me," I whisper into her hair, my throat thick with emotion. "You stupid, brave woman."

She squeezes me back, her body still frail but her grip strong. "Takes more than a bullet to get rid of me."

"I thought you-" My voice breaks. I don't finish the sentence. I can't.

"I know," she says softly, pulling back just enough to look at me. "But I'm still here. And I'm not going anywhere."

I swipe at my eyes quickly, trying to pretend the tears didn't spill over.

"Damn, I missed your dramatic ass."

"Missed me? Please. You probably got used to being the prettiest one in the room."

"Oh, shut up."

Sloane grins wide, weak but bright, and I realize then that even months of silence haven't dimmed her fire. She's still Sloane. Sharp-tongued. Fearless. It's impossible not to love her.

lan steps forward, pulling her into a warm embrace before crashing his lips on hers.

Alex clears his throat.

enough. She just

like hugging him is what's going to kill

but still holding her hand

him, her voice quieter now, eyes flicking down. "You didn't fall apart while I was gone,

a little," he

it's a joke, but

recap of the past months, she will cry

strong but extremely fragile. That's why I'd rather we don't tell

smiles faintly, then looks at the rest of

said you might never wake up. But I knew you would.

"Damn right," she mutters.

share a look. One

hand like he's memorizing the texture of her skin all over again. While Sloane melts under that touch, her

and for the first time, there's vulnerability in her voice.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

as if the scene is something

even start dating?" Alex asks, his protective tone

an adult,

You're my baby cousin, and he is my best friend. I need to know how serious this is because if he does something stupid, I'll kill

annoyed, but there's affection in her eyes as she looks

like I'm

coma, Sloane," he retorts, his

to jump straight into another

raises a brow. "I would never

shoots him a

the Sky is

please," I mutter under my

"Can we not do this? Not here. Not

breath as he locks his jaw and hardens his eyes. I know this side of him. It's not anger. It's fear masked by frustration Alex only acts like this when he's scared

now awake, Alex," I say quietly, placing a hand on his arm to

keeps holding onto Sloane without showing any sign of letting

from you," lan say. "We were just... trying to figure out

I should be

I soften my voice so he can know

much he loves Sloane and how protective he is of

the best time.

about this later." He sends lan

but Sloane squeezes

back slightly

can speak again, the

with tears already welling in her eyes. "Oh

she rushes to Sloane's bedside.

her arms gently around Sloane, who winces slightly but laughs through it. "Okay, okay, let's not break me