Page 53 of Vexatious Queen

She was sitting in bed with the laptop on her legs as she ate a plate of fruit.

“But I have to admit that having two guys fighting over you in a club is hot. I’d be down for that, but I don’t think anyone is going to be fighting over me in my current condition.”

“Stop it, you’re beautiful,” Ivy said.

“Sure…I’m just what every guy our age is after…pregnant. One look and they run for the hills.”

She popped a grape into her mouth, pouting in a way that only Lizzy could, and it still looked sexy. The girl really had no idea how pretty she was.

“Anyway, enough about me, I want to hear more about you two.”

“That’s it for me. I haven’t talked to either of the guys since Friday. I’m not sure if they’re going to ever talk to me again,” Ivy said.

“They’ll come around,” I said, rubbing her shoulder.

“What about you, my sister from another mister. What is new with you,” Lizzy asked, and I sighed.

“Ethan is back in the hospital, but he’s getting out today.”

“Oh no, what happened,” Lizzy asked.

“He fell and tore some of his stitches. But the thing is…and maybe I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill, but no one called me to tell me, not until today. I had no idea that Ethan had fallen or that Theo and Blake were taking turns staying at the hospital. I…I just feel cut off?”

“So would I,” Lizzy said.

“No, don’t,” Ivy said.

We all laughed at the conflicting responses. Sobering, I looked at Ivy.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t feel cut off.”

She shrugged as she spun her pen between her fingers like a little helicopter.

“Okay…I think they should have sent you a text. But you’re still healing, Ren. And…you know, I love you, but you tend to want to fix things. Maybe that isn’t what they need, and it’s possible that Ethan doesn’t want to see anyone.”

Sighing, I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms.

“Maybe.”

I was tempted to tell them about the creepy text, but decided not just yet. I didn’t need to freak the two of them out…

Wait…I just did the same thing to Ivy and Lizzy that the guys did to me. Dammit. I was just as bad.

“Are you angry? You look angry,” Lizzy said.

Lizzy looked worried when I glanced at the computer. I thought about her question before shaking my head.

“No, I’m not angry. I just realized that I’m as bad as the guys when it comes to protecting people I care about. So who the hell am I to cast stones? But I am a little hurt. Regardless of the reason, they didn’t feel they should or could tell me. I hate that they kept me in the dark,” I grumbled, doodling on the piece of paper in front of me. “And yes, I’m aware of how ridiculously selfish that sounds.”

Lizzy bit into a strawberry, and my stomach gurgled. She was making me hungry.

“At least you own up to your shit. Besides, I think Ivy might be right. They didn’t want to add more to your plate. They’re normally great at sharing, aren’t they?”

Lizzy smirked, and by the devious look in her eyes, I knew she wasn’t talking about emotions or possible danger.

“They think they need to protect me. That is what bugs me most. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, and I want to be able to lean on them, but I don’t need to be sheltered or coddled. When I lost my memory, the doctor told them to keep me in the dark, and they all agreed. But now it’s like they hide everything automatically.”

“Then talk to them, let them know. Definitely don’t let it fester. We all saw how great keeping a secret went for me,” Ivy said as her pen flew across the room and rolled down the stairs.