THIRTY-TWO
Tulsi went into her bedroom behind Wreck who went to stand at the end of the bed. Rowdy was sitting up, leaning on pillows against the headboard. With the covers over his lap, she could see there were bruises on his torso, arms, and face. They weren’t as angry as she’d imagined they might be, although it was obvious he was skinnier and weaker. Guilt forced her to pause just inside the room.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so sorry that… What he put you through because I—”
“Don’t care about that,” Rowdy said, lifting an arm her way. “Get over here.”
Tulsi’s guilt hadn’t gone anywhere. Tiptoeing across the room, she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Tentatively, she sat on the edge of the mattress.
Rowdy lunged over to grab her hand. “All the way here,” he said, wearing a smile as he
