Petty shook her head. “No need. You were still a kid back then. I’m in my twenties now. I can handle myself.”
Right as the words left her lips, there was a knock at the door. Both Petty and Amy glanced over at the same time. A tall man with broad shoulders and long legs stepped inside, wearing a baseball cap and a face mask.
Amy froze in surprise. Without thinking, she moved in front of Petty, blocking her protectively. “Who are you? You need to leave, now!”
Petty quickly reached out to grab Amy’s arm. “Wait, he’s a friend.”
Amy narrowed her eyes, not convinced. “Since when do you have such a... built friend?”
The man didn’t say anything. He just took off his cap and mask.
Amy’s mouth hung open for a second. Her entire face turned bright red and she practically stammered, “General Hans?”
She stared in disbelief at Hans, then whipped around to look at Petty. Her finger shook as she pointed. “Wait, the General is your friend?”
Petty grinned. “Or brother, if that suits better. Don’t get too hung up on the labels.”
Hans set his stuff down and strode to the side of the bed, worry etched all over his face. He pressed a hand to Petty’s forehead, checked her temperature, then touched his own. Amy just stood there, completely dumbstruck by how gentle and anxious he looked.
Once he was satisfied, Hans finally smiled at Amy. “Are you a fan?”
Amy nodded so hard her ponytail bounced.
Hans headed off to fix some sweet tea for Petty. While he was busy with that, Amy leaned in and whispered, “He’s really your childhood friend?”
Petty shot her a look. “Would I lie to you? You’re really going to doubt your own idol?”

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