Page 23 of Saving Wyatt

“Sorry. I meant you. Lean on you.”

He nodded, and his eyes narrowed. His lips turned into a thin line that curved to the side.

“What?” I asked.

His left eyebrow rose. “Is it me, or do you have a thing for my brother?”

“Me?” I choked a laugh and pushed my chair back. “Why would you say that? I don’t even know the guy.” I could barely articulate my sentence without scoffing.

Good job, Ari. That must be so convincing. Losing your composure at the mention of liking Wyatt.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged and leaned back on his chair. “You seem very attached to him for someone you don’t know.”

I opened my mouth to answer when Warren spoke again.

“Besides, since when does one need to know someone to have a thing for them?”

I laughed again. I was really good at this, wasn’t I? Hiding my attraction for Warren’s brother.

God, I’m so out of practice.

I needed to pull myself together. This was so unlike me.

Deep breaths, Ari. Deep breaths.

“I don’t have a thing for him. I’m a doctor. I’m attached to everyone. I care about people, you know.”

Warren rolled his eyes, and I couldn’t blame him. Even I didn’t buy that.

“He’s your brother. Of course I care about his well-being. That’s all it is.”

Who cared, anyway? It wasn’t as if being interested in Wyatt would lead to anything. The man was probably straight, and if not, it didn’t mean he’d be interested in me. Even if he was, I was off the table. My heart was already spoken for and that was that.

Warren didn’t say anything. His gaze lowered to his plate, and he tried to pick up a slice but dropped it straight away and grabbed his stomach instead.

“I’m hungry, but I can’t even eat anymore,” he said. “I’m so worried.”

I got off my chair and walked the short distance behind my friend and put my arms around him. “It’s perfectly understandable,” I whispered.

Warren grabbed one arm and leaned on it. “I just…I don’t want to lose my brother. And it feels like I am. I feel it in my gut. This isn’t going to end well for him.”

I didn’t say anything. What could I say that wouldn’t be a lie? I couldn’t guarantee Wyatt’s safety no more than I could guarantee my cancer patients were going to beat cancer.

“I feel so helpless,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” I exhaled and kissed the back of his head.

I wished I could say more. Make a promise. Reassure him that it was all going to turn out okay, but I was helpless.

Not as helpless as Wyatt probably was, but helpless, nonetheless. Which was why we needed to make an effort to be there for him.

He.

Warren.

Warren needed to be there for him. Not me. I was no one when it came to Wyatt. Even if, sometimes, I got carried away and wanted to be everything to him.

NINE