I drifted off momentarily, caught up in the terror I felt at that young age, watching my mother die on the floor. I never even got my dad. I stayed by her, calling out her name, willing her to come back to me. And all the while, she laid there, staring up at the ceiling.
“An aneurysm, the doctors said.”
Her hand slid over mine, then she gave a small squeeze, indicating she’d heard me.
“Anyway, it wasn’t exactly easy to be cheerful around the holidays after that.”
“‘M sorry,” she murmured.
“Yeah, well…it was nothing like having all my dishes broken on the floor,” I jested. “Your Thanksgiving sucked.”
She chuckled, then burrowed her head against my shoulder. In just a few minutes, she was out cold. Brushing the hair from her face, I leaned down and kissed her cheek, wishing I could make this better for her.
But the longer I stared at her, the more pissed I got at myself. I shoved to my feet, storming away from her bed and out of her room. Shutting the door quietly, I leaned against it, confused as hell by what was running through my mind. She was just someone I fucked around with.
So why the hell was I so worried about Austin, or if she was in pain from a migraine? Why was I going to all the trouble to find remedies for her when it was none of my goddamn business?
The clawing words deep in my chest struggled to the surface, but I pushed them back down. I hadn’t cared about anyone in years, and I wasn’t about to start now.
I swungthe door open before the doorbell could ring, and dragged JR inside, slamming the door before any prying eyes could spot him.
He stared at me, his jaw clenching in anger. “My wife is out there.”
Oops. I opened the door, shooting her a lopsided smile. “Sorry about that.” I glanced around outside before quickly tugging her in and closing the door again.
“What’s with the cloak and dagger shit?” JR asked.
“I think he likes her,” Josie grinned, swaying from side to side, her skirt swishing in motion with her.
“Like is a strong word. I only came over because her door was busted in.”
JR glanced behind him at the damage, frowning. “When did that happen?”
“Last night at dinner. Apparently, the Callahans came over.”
JR’s gaze darkened. “What the fuck were they doing here?”
“Her mother doesn’t believe in casting judgment without all the facts,” I bit out. “Which, normally, I would agree with. But in this situation?—”
“He’s a fucking psychopath who shouldn’t be allowed to roam the village.”
Josie placed her hand on my arm, earning a low growl of disapproval from JR. “Is she okay? Is that why she needs this stuff?”
“She’s got a migraine, but I don’t think one has to do with the other.”
“I’ll go check on her and give her some of my neck rub. It should help wonders.”
I waited as she scurried off, assuming JR and I were going to have a conversation about the psychotic Austin. Instead, when I faced him, a grin spread across his lips.
“So, this happened last night.”
“Yeah, and?”
He shrugged, glancing around the house. “It’s just interesting, that’s all.”
“What’s so interesting about it?”
“Well, the door was broken last night.”
