Drea’s bed was raised so she was sitting up with pillows stacked behind her. The swelling on her face had gone down a bit, but her left eye was still bruised and puffy. Fresh dressings wrapped her left shoulder and ran down her arm, disappearing beneath her hospital gown. The room was quiet except for the low hum of machines and the occasional shuffle of people in the hallway.
Her eyes slowly opened when we came in, like the medication in her system was dulling her movements.
She tried to smile, but immediately let out a small sound and winced.
“Hey, big head,” she rasped.
Fontaine was at her side in two steps. “Hey. You’re awake.”
Drea groaned as she adjusted, trying to angle herself toward him. Her gaze slowly drifted down her brother’s face, taking in his rough appearance.
“You look like shit,” she said.
“I’m fine,” he scoffed.
“Liar,” she muttered as she looked past him to me.
“Mm.” The corner of her mouth tried for a smirk, but didn’t quite make it. “I see y’all finally got your shit together.”
I bit back a smile and moved to one of the chairs. I didn’t want to take the moment away from Fontaine.
“Where’s Carmelo?” she asked softly. “I asked the nurse when she came in this morning, but she said there wasn’t a patient here by that name.”
My throat closed up. Cash and Jelani had been helping Slim’s grandmother with his arrangements. I kept my face neutral because this wasn’t my news to deliver.
Fontaine drew in a breath and sat in the chair at Drea’s bedside.
“He’s gone, D,” he said.
Drea stared at him. For a second I thought she didn’t hear him.
Then her face crumpled in slow motion.
A raw sound tore out of her throat—shock and pain and grief all in one—and Fontaine’s eyes flicked away from her face.
“No,” she whispered. “No, no?—”
“I’m sorry.” The apology sounded small next to what she’d lost.
Drea squeezed her eyes shut, her tears spilling out anyway.She tried to turn her head, but the movement made her inhale sharply.
“I was gonna tell him,” she said, voice low.
Fontaine’s gaze went back to her. “Tell him what?”
Her lashes fluttered as she tried to focus. “About the baby.”
Fontaine’s jaw ticked. “The doctor told us,” he said. I could hear him working to keep his voice level. “But why didn’t you tell me?”
Drea released a shaky breath and stared at the blanket in her lap.
“Because I didn’t feel like getting another lecture.”
“I wouldn’t?—”
“Yes, you would,” she snapped. “You never liked me and Carmelo together.”
“I didn’t like the incessant back and forth,” Fontaine corrected. “That’s different.”
