A punch landed square in my shoulder.
I grunted, stumbling half a step back as pain flared and I instinctively grabbed the spot. The impact wasn't full strength—but it didn't need to be.
"You'd really leave us all to die out there?!"
Aubrey's voice cut through the air, sharp enough to turn heads. A few people nearby slowed, watching. I blinked at her, genuinely caught off guard.
"What?" I said, rolling my shoulder. "No, I didn't. You're all here, aren't you?"
I kept my tone even. Calm. That only made it worse.
Her jaw tightened. Heat flashed behind her eyes.
She stepped in and jabbed a finger into my chest.
"Don't you ever pull that shit on me again."
I opened my mouth—
She slammed into me.
My breath hitched as her arms wrapped tight around my torso, fingers digging in like she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go. My eyes widened. For a second, I just stood there, stunned—
Then I hugged her back. Slowly. Careful not to squeeze too hard.
