“You are.And it’s not doing any good for anybody.Least of all, Hunter.How would he want you to remember him?”
I gulped down a breath.“Not like this.But he always wanted what was best for me, whether I deserved it or not.Who was looking out for him, Daire?We always just assumed he was fine.Always laughing.Always joking.Always the life of the party, but I--”
I gripped his forearm tightly, my hands shaking.
He cuffed my wrists and breathed into my ear.“Easy, baby.”
My body relaxed into his hold.I took a deep breath.“I knew better.I knew he got overwhelmed.I knew his emotions rode him hard.And I should have been there for him like he’d always been there for me.”
“Yes.Maybe you should have been there.But the accident was just that: an accident.If that didn’t happen, you not answering his text would have been no big deal.”
“Well, fate had other plans,” I answered bitterly.
He nodded against me.“She dealt you a raw hand.You’re playing it as best you can.”
“I’ve done some good,” I whispered.
“You have.”
My eyes stung, my throat throbbed, and my chest ached.“I need to think this through.”
“Sleep, baby.I’m not going anywhere.”
35
Details
Tinyhammersworkeddiligentlyon the nerves behind my eyes.Laying as still as possible, I alerted Daire of the incoming migraine.
He called into work, tucked me back into bed, plied me with painkillers and caffeine, then proceeded to field the multitude of phone calls and texts from Hawk, Max, and Noelle.
In the afternoon, when the pain had dissipated, I woke again to find him sitting on the side of our bed.
“Your family is going to call in the feds if you don’t show your face.I think my picture’s already been posted on America’s Most Wanted.”
I laughed weakly.
He continued, “They’ve been texting.And calling.And threatening to come over.I’m not sure I can hold them off much longer.”
His eyes were tired.
And worried.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like seeing you at odds with them.They’re your family.They’ll be my family, too.And I’ve already done enough damage.”
I reached out a hand for his.“You want to drive me to Hawk and Noelle’s?”
After a quick shower, he cajoled me into eating a late lunch before setting out.
Rain splattered the windscreen forcing the wipers to work double-time.It was the kind of day you lit candles, nursed a cup of hot chocolate, and cuddled up on the couch with a blanket and a good book.
It was not the type of day you confronted your brother and your best friend for keeping a stupid secret that ended up humiliating you in front of your significant other and your other best friend.
Who was next on the rounds for confrontation.
“Are we okay?”
