Page 100 of Broken Blades

I lowered her onto the couch. She slumped immediately, head dropping back against the cushions. Eyes half-closed and glassy.

"Stay." I pointed at her like she was a disobedient dog. "Don't move."

She nodded. Barely.

I grabbed water from the kitchen. Tylenol from the bathroom. Set both on the coffee table within reach and crouched in front of her.

"Drink."

She blinked at the glass like it was a puzzle she couldn't solve.

I sighed. Lifted it to her lips. Tilted it slowly while she took small, uncertain sips.

"Good." The word came out softer than I meant. "More."

She drank. Some of it dribbled down her chin. I caught it with my thumb before thinking better of it.

Her hair had come loose—falling across her face in messy waves. I grabbed the spare hair tie from my wrist, the one I kept for exactly this kind of situation with drunk teammates. Gathered her hair back with more care than I'd admit to anyone.

She made a soft sound. Almost content.

I finished tying it off just as she lurched forward.

"Oh, God⁠—"

I moved on instinct. Grabbed her shoulders, steered her toward the bathroom. Got her there just in time.

She retched. Miserable and shaking.

I held her hair back with one hand. Steadied her with the other. Kept my voice low and even.

"You're fine. Get it out."

She sobbed between heaves. Embarrassed and sick and completely wrecked.

When she finally stopped, I wet a washcloth. Ran it gently over her face—forehead, cheeks, mouth. She leaned into the touch like she was desperate for something soft.

"Better?"

She nodded. Eyes red and streaming.

I helped her stand. Guided her back to her room. Grabbed pajamas from her dresser—soft pants, oversized shirt—and set them in her lap.

"Change."

She stared at them blankly.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Can you do it yourself?"

A tiny nod.

"Then I'll be right outside."

I turned my back. Heard fabric rustling. Tried very hard not to imagine what was happening behind me. Failed miserably.

"Done," she whispered.

I looked. She'd gotten the shirt on backward. Pants twisted around one leg.