He places a hand on top of mine on his chest. “Thank the gods.”
“Please, Seven, let’s lie down. We can talk about all this in the morning. Once we’re rested and you’ve had something to eat, we can make a plan. Things will be so much easier when you’re well. I promise.”
He turns in my arms and presses his forehead to mine. “Will you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone.”
No way can I leave him tonight. Not after what he’s been through. I pull my phone from my pocket and stare at the screen. I don’t like to lie to my family, but can I tell them the truth? Yes. Yes, I can.
I text Mom and Arden.
ME:
Getting late. Staying overnight so I don’t drive home tired. See you tomorrow.
ARDEN:
Have fun. Going to a movie with Edmund after school, but I’ll see you for dinner.
MOM:
You’re working too much! Take care, darling.
I heart both text messages, shaking my head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say. “I’m staying. My mother didn’t even question me about it.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yes. Sometimes I think I underestimate my family. I still think they’re going to treat me like I’m seventeen. It surprises me when they don’t.”
“I always liked your family.” He smiles wistfully. “When I was there at your house, sometimes I didn’t want to go home.”
“Well, it wasn’t always perfect, but I know when we go public, we can count on their support. They respect my choices and treat me like an adult. Of course, that also means I have no one to blame for my choices but me, and that’s a little scary.”
He sighs and sinks onto the bed, looking exhausted. “I really wish your choices were the scariest thing we have to worry about.”
“Me too.” I help him under the covers, then excuse myself to visit the kitchen. A few minutes later, I return with a club sandwich, a sliced apple, and a big bottle of juice.
Seven props himself up against the headboard and groans. “Thanks. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
My insides sink at the thought of what he endured, but I put the tray on his lap and try not to dwell on it. He lifts the sandwich to his mouth and closes his eyes as he takes a bite.
“Hey, I’m spending the night!” I announce again.
His shoulders soften, and he slants a crooked grin. “We established that.”
“I just wanted to hear it out loud. By the way, I thought of something while I was in the kitchen,” I say. “Your cleaning lady…”
He nods, then bites into the sandwich again.
“When does she come? It’s probably not good for her to find me in bed with you, and I plan to be in bed with you.”
He grins around what’s in his mouth. “Has the day off tomorrow.”
I smile in relief and inch toward the bathroom. “Good. You eat that. I’ll shower.”
It’s a testament to what bad shape Seven is actually in that he doesn’t offer to join me.
