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.

that's enough. She just woke

hugging him is what's going to kill me. Sit your overprotective ass down,

pulling back but still holding her hand like he'll

tells him, her voice quieter now, eyes flicking down. "You didn't fall apart

even died a

details!" She laughs thinking it's a joke, but

months, she will cry

fragile. That's why I'd rather we don't

then looks at the rest of us. "How

months," lan answers gently. "They said you might never

"Damn right," she mutters.

a look. One of

brushes the back of her hand like he's memorizing the texture of her skin all over again. While Sloane melts under that touch, her lashes fluttering just slightly as if it's

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

"Yes, sweetheart?"

as if the scene is something he had

dating?"

adult, Alex!" Sloane

my baby cousin, and he is my best friend. I need to know how

but there's affection in her eyes as she

always act like I'm this

came out of a coma, Sloane," he retorts, his

wanting you to jump straight into another

raises a brow. "I would never

him

the Sky is

please," I mutter

do this? Not here. Not now. I just woke

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

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

holding onto

you," lan say. "We were just...

should be giving you my

so he

he loves Sloane and how protective he is of her.

the best time.

about this later." He sends lan a warning

air thickens again, but Sloane squeezes lan's

back slightly against

of us can speak again, the

doorway with tears already welling in her eyes. "Oh

as she rushes to Sloane's bedside.

but laughs through it. "Okay, okay, let's not break me