“Really?” Jeremy rubbed my back. “Why?”
I lifted my head and forced my eyes open. “You know, life.”
He laughed, kissing the back of my neck. “Sure.”
I put my head back down. It was too hard. I was basically sprawled on top of Julian. He rubbed his hand in a circle. This couldn’t be comfortable for him. Had he been awake the whole time I had been like this?
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
“Never better. It’s usually Jer or Barrett who get to comfort you. I got to do it. Feel lucky.”
How sad was it that there was a running list of who got to talk me through being not okay?
Phoenix got off the bed. “Tell Dr. Trevor tomorrow. It’s not surprising. We’re going through a lot. That being said, I am sorry that happened. You can wake me, too. I know I haven’t traditionally been the person to comfort you, but I can be.”
Okay. I had to move, if for no other reason than to pee and change my pad. When I finally did move, I saw that Barrett was watching me with hooded eyes. He was worried. I didn’t blame him. In his shoes I’d worry about me too. I had to pull it together. Their grandmother was dying.
“Um, listen, Phoenix and Julian, last night I kind of had an idea and came up with a plan. We went for a walk and talked about it.”
Phoenix looked at Julian. “While I was working and he was snoring?”
“Yes.”
Julian groaned. “I can go see if I can get it stopped.”
I put my hand on his arm. “Don’t worry about that. Really. Unless it’s because something is wrong.”
“What’s the plan?”
I held up my hand. “Barrett can you tell them? I have to pee.”
“Go.” He nodded. “Sure.”
I hurried into the bathroom and closed the door. As quickly as I could I made my way through some kind of cleaning routine. I would need to shower that night. I changed the pad and was glad that the amount of blood was minimal. Maybe it would be over soon. I wasn’t cramping right then at all.
I needed to change my clothes for whatever we were doing next.
I came out and they all turned to me.
“Did something about Sam give you the impression he’s not to be trusted?”
Phoenix met my gaze. He wasn’t happy. That much I could understand entirely. I held up my hand. “No. I don’t trustanyone, except the four of you, really. And Dina.” There I had said it. “But I get that you trust him. So, let’s get to know him and then we can cross him and his family off the list of the co-conspirators.” I frowned. “I mean it’s either this or we go to the other side of the lake and try there. The thing is no one is inviting us to dinner there.”
He groaned. “Okay. We’ll clear Sam today. Then maybe we can enlist his help. He knows even more people than we do.” Phoenix ran a hand through his hair. “Everyone shower. Then we’re getting Altheia a phone. By then my friend will be home from school. The right time to drop in for a visit.”
That was right. It was absolutely normal for most people to be in school right now. Well, people my age. I had completely blanked on real life.
That was so… strange and not okay.
Barrett kissed my forehead. “It’s a good plan. Who’s after Sam’s family?”
I blinked. “Dr. Trevor. I mean arguably that’s insane. His son died. But, my family tried to have me killed and I was surrounded by people who had the same fate. It would be kind of sick if he was basically taking our confessions in his office and plotting at home.”
Phoenix laughed. “No wonder you’re a writer. Yes, it would be. Okay. This is going to work out where we get to clear people right away. After that may be more complicated. Start compiling who has invited you places.” A thought dawned on me. “The nurse. The one who was really mean to Phoenix and shitty to me. Where does she come from?”
Jeremy frowned. “I hate her. The other side.”
“Then there is our in. Later.”
