“Hey, girl, thanks for staying by my side.”
It was probably only a few minutes after I started stroking Clover’s back that I fell asleep. Keo woke me to eat, though I didn’t manage much. Only a few swallows in, then I was violently ill.
I’ve likely got the flu.Great. Just what I need.
I’m sort of glad the two of us are in professions where we see far worse things than vomit. He got me to the bathroom in just enough time for me to hurl into the toilet.
He made a joke about not needing to hold my hair back, which made me laugh.
Although he didn’t help wash me up, which again I’m grateful for, he stood in the doorway just in case I needed anything.
While I understand that everyone needs help, I don’t want to be treated like some delicate flower. Michael treated me like I was fragile. I hesitate to say, ‘like a girl,’ but that’s how it felt. He wanted us in specific roles, and it was obvious which one he had me in.
Him, thealpha, and me, the… submissive one.
I despise that, so while Keoni carrying me down the stairs would normally not sit right with me, I can tell it was for the best. He’s letting me ask for help, which is exactly what I want.
No.
It’s what I need.
Although he did everything right, in the end, he fucked up.
Alright, well, inmyopinion he did. He went and slept on the couch, keeping the door open with clear instructions to call for him if I needed anything.
Is asking him to come back and be the big spoon too much?
I know it is. It’s why I just thanked him and let him walk away. Now, I’m staring up at the ceiling, hot and cold all at once, feeling like shit… andwantingmy damn stepbrother.
Ex-stepbrother.
Whatever. My stepmom would have drowned me in the lake if she knew how badly I wanted her son. I should just come to terms with this friendship and stop wanting what I can’t have.
Fuck. Me.
17
There’s something to be said for my restraint—just the fact that I didn’t curl up behind him last night is an incredible feat.
I’ve already had my coffee; the TV has the news on very low, so I’ve been reading the subtitles. Something about a foreign politician being found dead here in Colorado. Apparently, the person was a big deal, even though I’ve never heard of him. Granted, I don’t know much about ‘politically exposed persons’, as they termed him.
Soft footsteps on the wooden floor pull me from staring at the newscaster. Ayden wobbles down the hall, a blanket draped over his shoulders. He looks like absolute shit.
The urge to get up and help him tugs at me, but I settle it. He needs to learn to ask for help—just like he’s going to learn to tell me what he promised before the thirty days are up.
He lifts his chin and forces a smile, one I’ll allow this time. It’s not meant to deceive me, but an attempt to appear strong. Which he doesn’t have to be, especially around me.
“Mind if I cuddleup on the couch with you?”
I shake my head. “Not at all. Can I get you some water? Do you want some tea, or…”
As he shuffles onto the couch and curls up against the armrest, he takes a deep breath through his slightly stuffy nose. “Water would be nice.”
I get to my feet far too quickly—there’s literally zero hesitation.
“Do we have saltines?”
Rounding into the kitchen, I spot Clover stretching before she makes her way to the back door to scratch at it. I told Grant and my mom to get a cat door. They really worried she’d never come back, but I didn’t. She definitely is a housecat, but I’d prefer her doing her business outside and not in a litterbox.
