As I follow him, I reach out and grab his wrist to make him stop and look back at me.
I have to apologize.
Taking a deep breath, I tell him, “Nothing happened. We just slept. I know that doesn’t help, and I’m sorry, Hunter. That’s exactly what I was talking about. I’m hurting you guys with my behavior and feelings, and I should leave.” I bite my bottom lip but force myself to look him in the eyes.
He doesn’t deserve to get hurt.
His gaze softens, and he reaches out to take my hand. “No, you shouldn’t. I told you I can handle competition. It just seems like Nash is leading right now. That doesn’t mean I can’t still catch up to him.” He leans down to give me a peck on the lips. “I just have to try harder to deserve it.” I smile, and he kisses my nose.
“I’m not going to be able to choose, Hunter,” I mumble, wringing my hands.
“Let that be my problem. I can’t today, but can you reserve tomorrow evening for me? I want to spend some time without kid shows or interruptions with you.”
“Sure, I would love that,” I agree, feeling the weight lifting off my chest.
“Can’t wait,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss my cheek before he turns and gets down the stairs.
Today went by fast.After North and Hunter left, I made breakfast for Lio, and soon after, Nash came down to join us. The weather was cloudy, so we drew with chalk on the boardwalk and watched some movies.
It was nice.
More than nice.
Nash wasn’t his flirty self. He was caring, smiling at me, making sure I had fun. It’s like my tears haunted him, and he wanted to ensure we had a good timeas friends.
Although he never missed an opportunity to touch me.
It’s late, and I’m sitting on the bed in the guest room I occupy because I can’t sleep. I’m reading a book, but it’s not holding my interest. My thoughts keep drifting back to the guys.
What the fuck am I even doing?
And Saylor?
It feels like I’m grieving him, and I don’t even know where he went.
A faint sob, followed by coughing, comes through the wall, making me sit up and listen more closely. The radio is on, and Ihave to turn it down to make sure, but I hear it again. So I stand and quietly make my way to Lio’s room, opening the door softly.
His nightlight is on, so I peer inside and find him sitting in his bed, rubbing his eyes, crying, his little body trembling.
Poor baby.
I open the door a bit more and whisper, “Knock, knock.” Lio lets his hands fall into his lap and looks over at me, his bottom lip trembling. “Hey,” I coo, making my way over to him and sitting on the side of his bed. “What’s wrong, buddy? Do you need your inhaler? Or did you have a bad dream?” I ask, gently stroking his back. Lio nods and sniffs, looking down at his hands, which are gripping covers decorated with little colorful fish. Tears brim in his eyes when he looks back up at me. “Should I get Hunter for you?” I ask him, concerned.
He looks back up at me with a little pout. “Canyoustay?”
I know I probably shouldn’t, that my being here might be overstepping. What I should do is get Hunter or North. But the look he’s giving me breaks my heart.
Fuck it.
“Scoot over,” I tell him, and he does. I slide onto the bed above the covers with my back to the headboard and pull him into my side.
“What did you dream about?” I ask, my arm around his shoulders as I stroke his upper arm over his Spider-Man pajamas.
A chill runs down my neck, and I notice Jessica standing at the end of the bed, looking at Lio with a frown. She still looks wet, but all the blood on her arms and clothes is gone, and she doesn’t look creepy and drowned anymore.
Maybe she’s finally coming to terms with her death.
“Bambi,” he mutters, and I have to suppress an eye roll.
