Effa steps closer as I try to rein in my feelings.
He has no right to do this.
“You’re amazing. I don’t know how to repay you.” Kiera chimes in a sickly sweet voice that makes me want to shake her.
“There’s no need. I just want you to feel better. That’s all.” He smiles. “I need to go, but maybe I’ll see you tonight if you’re feeling all right? We’re going to the pub, but if you’re not up for it, I’ll see you soon.” He leans in, placing a light kiss on her cheek, and I let out a loud huff. He glances at me with a concerned look before turning and heading for the door.
We don’t follow as he leaves, closing the door behind him. I turn to glance back at Kiera, who has that smitten look on her face. Her eyes are sparkling, and her smile is the widest I’ve seen in ages.
I hate it!
“No!” I berate, and she looks at me and frowns.
“Kaden, we talked about this,” Effa interrupts, and I shake my head as I look at her.
Kiera giggles. “You can’t protect me forever.”
“You’re eighteen, Kiera,” I almost yell.
She snorts and rolls her eyes. “So?”
“He’s too old for you.”
Effa and Kiera both laugh and start to walk off to the living room. “He’s not that old, Mercs,” Effa calls out.
“You’re meant to be on my side…” I pause and tilt my head. “How old is he?” I call out.
“Mid-twenties,” she calls back.
I scoff. “Ha!See. Too damn old. Kiera, you need to let this infatuation go,” I demand, walking into the living room where they are both sitting on the sofa, grinning at me.
“Kaden, I love you. I know you’re trying to protect me, but I’m a grown woman, and I need to live a little. Plus, what have I got to lose? I have to live now, because what if this treatment doesn’t work?”
Scrunching my face up, I let out a long puff of air. “What the fuck was that? Why are you talking like this? That’s defeatist talk if ever I’ve heard it, Kiera. We don’t talk like that here. There are no whatfuckingif’s,” I yell.
Effa frowns and sinks back into the sofa.
“Kaden. You have to know there’s a small chance the treatment won’t work, and if that happens, we have to face the fact—”
“Fuck! I can’t… we’re not doing this, Kiera. I don’t wanna hear you talk like that,” I yell at her.
She doesn’t even flinch as I spin, turning for the stairs and stomping up them one by one. My feet feel heavy, the sound like thunder as I storm the hall to my room. Opening my door, walking through, and then I slam it shut with all my force as I pant heavily for breath that I can’t seem to catch. Thinking about Kiera dying is not something I can handle.
Not now.
Not ever.
And her talking about it so calmly, like it’s the natural way things will progress, I can’t even fathom how she’s so damn calm about it—especially, considering the treatment plan and everything she’s doing right now.How can she think like that?
I pace the floor, trying to calm down. My hands run through my hair, tugging on it to feel something other than the pain in my chest, when I hear the door creaking open. My head snaps up to Effa, peeking her head through to look at me, then she sighs, opens the door fully, and comes in, closing it behind her.
“Hey,” she murmurs, walking up, reaching out, grabbing my hands, and halting me from pacing.
I stop and look at her, tiredness overwhelming me after today’s events.
I’ve had enough.
I need to relax.
