Free Challenge: A Contemporary MMA Romance: Oni Fighters Book 3 by Natalie Gayle Page B

surprised at the question, or was I just that accurate? Sometimes, he forgot that she’d been my big sister for a lot longer than she’d been his girlfriend, then wife. Besides, we’d had quite a monumental event that shaped our relationship, one that most siblings would never experience, thankfully.
    “She had one last night. Not too bad but enough to wake us both. She said she thought it was all the time she was spending at the hospital at the moment. I guess that would be a big trigger.” He wiped his face with a nearby towel.
    “I think it’s just as much the actual accident. One of those unexpected, uncontrollable events that throws all the cards in the air and everyone’s worlds upside down. She’s also getting a little taste of what it was like for your parents and you and Tori to sit there and play the support crew to her. It’s one thing to be the patient but a very different thing to be the support crew. That’s probably what contributed more than anything. She mentioned the feeling of being helpless to do anything to make it better for Seth. What that really was, I’m guessing, is her putting herself in your shoes for the first time and herself on the bed in Seth’s.”
    It sounded to me like Xander had a good handle on it. He understood my sister and the demons that chased her probably as well as Eden did. However, it never hurt to make doubly sure.
    “Um, I don’t want to sound like I’m up in your business but I think she should make an appointment to see Grace.” Grace was Eden’s current counsellor who had been helping her with the emotional remnants of the fire from years before.
    “We had the same idea and she’s going to see her tomorrow. I’m confident she’s fine, but I don’t want her to regress at all.”
    “No…she’s been doing amazing.” I was so proud of my sister for how she had been progressing and moving past her scars and what happened years ago with that damned fire. Xander had very much been the catalyst for that change and our whole family owed him a huge debt of gratitude—one that he’d never acknowledge or accept. I guess that was what unconditional love was all about and I was so pleased Eden had found that with Xander. My sister deserved every bit of happiness. She was one of the best people I knew.
    “She has, she’s even started cooking a little.”
    “Wow. That’s a huge step.” Eden hadn’t been able to bring herself to handle hot liquids or cook anything since the fire over five years ago. The heat triggered flashbacks and anxiety attacks.
    “Yeah, it’s just a few simple things and she’s being incredibly cautious with how she goes about everything, but that’s okay. It’s a step forward, though—progress, not perfect is just fine.
    “Exactly. It wasn’t all that long ago she was too terrified to take that first step. I remember those days well and not with a lot of fondness.”
    “Yeah, me too.”
    Xander took a long swig from his water bottle and he looked like he was trying to decide if he was going to continue training or call time on this session.
    “You done?”
    “Yeah, let’s clean up and head back to the hospital. I know you want to.”
    “Am I that transparent?” I thought I’d done well to hide the fact that, as much as I loved training, I felt torn about where my responsibilities lied today.
    “Yep. It’s okay though. We’re all worried.”
    I nodded. “Thanks for the workout. I needed it.”
    “Me too. I’m going to draw up a training plan for that fight I was telling you about. It’s in just over four months. You up for it?”
    I shuffled my weight from foot to foot. Part of me wanted to leap at the chance. It was something I really wanted to do. Another big part of me was reluctant. I wasn’t sure what the immediate future held for me.
    “I’d love to, I’m just not sure of the timing…” I didn’t need to say anymore.
    Xander nodded in understanding. “How about we do this…I’ll draw up the plan and