Page 74 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

“No. She’s really good at hiding things,” I reply, patting her hand. “I’ll leave you guys to your party.”

“I think we’re all going to turn in early,” Sarah says before tightening her grip on my arm before I can step away. “Don’t tell Cassidy that we ended things early. She’ll just feel bad and think she ruined the night.”

I nod in agreement. “She’d feel better if you guys raved on without her.”

A light laugh leaves her. “Yeah, well, I’m kind of tired anyway.”

I don’t think it’ll be easy for me to sleep tonight. I’ll just keep thinking about Cassidy, and as badly as I want to text her and ask if she’s truly okay, I don’t want to risk Ryan seeing the text on her phone.

Things are becoming a little too risky. Lines are being crossed too often.

But I’m not going to hesitate to run to her if she calls.

Talk about hooked.

And talk about screwed.

Chapter twenty-six

Chapter 26: Cassidy

Idon’t leave my room the next day.

I do need the rest, but I also don’t want to face anyone today, especially Jackson. I’ve been so careful trying not to show my pregnancy symptoms, but he caught on to one.

So many things make me feel so nauseous. If I’m throwing up all the time, that’ll bring way too much attention to me, and people will immediately get suspicious. The nausea is easier to handle when I don’t eat much.

Sure, not eating enough has its own handful of side effects, but I’d rather get dizzy and chalk it up to exhaustion over wedding activities than have to explain constant vomiting. All I have to do is make it through the wedding.

When I get home, I can start dealing with the big, hard decisions. I just don’t want to drop this bomb on everyone days before the wedding. I don’t want to ruin things for Ryan and Sarah.

“Ouch,” I mutter as I massage my foot through my fuzzy socks.

I’m tired of so many parts of my body aching. I’m tired of not being able to eat all the amazing food served here because I don’t want to throw up all the time.

And I’m tired of having to hide so much from the people I care about the most.

I hate to think it…but I’ll be glad when this week is over.

A knock sounds on the door of my suite, ripping an annoyed sigh from me. I texted everyone I needed to and let them know that I’ll be resting today, so why is someone at my door?

I slide out of bed and stand up, my stomach twisting and my head pounding. I ate a little bit this morning, but I don’t expect to eat much for lunch and dinner. Just the thought of food makes me grimace.

I slowly make my way over to the door, figuring Sarah or the guys came by to check on me. I unlock the door and pull it open. “I told you guys I’m—”

The rest of my words disappear before I can get them out of my mouth.

Derek gives me a small smile as he stands out in the hallway. “Well, at least you can get out of bed. That’s a good sign.”

Anxious heat spreads across my skin. He’s the last person I want to see right now. I’d rather deal with Jackson interrogating me over not eating.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him, planting one hand on the doorframe and one on the door to completely block the doorway.

He’s not coming in.

“I came to check on you. I heard about what happened last night,” Derek replies, shifting closer to me.

Tension winds around my chest. He’s lying. He doesn’t care about me.