Page 12 of Nothing But Air

Teague leaned against the wall. Closed his eyes. Bad idea—the images sharpened immediately. Chip’s laugh echoing off granite. His boot slipping on loose gravel. Eyes going wide with surprise, then fear. The split second when Teague should have moved but didn’t.

Half a second too slow. Fingers brushing Chip’s palm. The warmth of his brother’s skin.

Teague’s grip wouldn’t close in time.

“Teague?”

“I’ll try to be there.” The words came out hollow. “I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

“How are you doing, sweetheart? Really?”

“I’m fine.”

“Teague Arthur Hamilton.”

He almost smiled. Almost. “It’s been a rough day. But I’m handling it. I took a risk and…someone isn’t happy. But I saved a kid, so it was worth it.”

His mother’s deep sigh filled the line. “Letting yourself get killed won’t bring him back, T.”

“I know. I’m being careful.” But was he?

They said their goodbyes. Teague lowered the phone and stared at the blank screen, his reflection staring back—fatigue in his eyes, jaw tight.

The conference-room door opened. He expected Liam, maybe Noah.

It was Eden.

She stopped a few feet away, arms still crossed, but her posture had lost some of its sharp edges. “You okay?”

“Peachy.”

“Liar.” But she said it gently. “Family stuff?”

“Something like that.”

She was quiet for a moment. Then, “Look, about what I said earlier.”

“You weren’t wrong.”

Her eyebrows rose. “That might be the first time you’ve ever admitted I was right about anything.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.” He pushed off the wall. “I know I take risks. I know it drives everyone crazy. But if I don’t—” He stopped. Shook his head.

“If you don’t what?”

If I stop moving, I’ll remember that I’m still here and Chip isn’t.

“Never mind.”

Eden studied him for a long moment. Her light-blue eyes saw too much—always had. “You know what your problem is, Hamilton?”

“I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”

“You think you’re invincible. Or worse—you think you should be.” She stepped closer. Close enough that he caught the faint scent of sunscreen and vanilla. “You throw yourself into danger like you’ve got something to prove. Like saving enough people will somehow balance some cosmic equation.”

His throat tightened. “And what if it does?”

“It won’t.” Her voice softened. “That’s not how any of this works.”