Page 16 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, looking down at my hands.

“For getting so drunk, you couldn’t stand? Or for doing it in an unsafe environment?”

I shrug, not knowing what to say. I hate being in trouble, and the thought of Travis being cross with me unsettles me more than it should.

“Do you have any idea what could have happened to you in that car park? What if it wasn’t your friends that found you but someone else?” Travis points out.

“I wasn’t thinking logically,” I reply, unable to face him.

“Well, that goes without saying. If you want to get drunk, fine. You are a grown woman who is usually sensible enough to think for themselves. If you ever feel the need to repeat last night, you call me or one of the guys, and we will sit with you whilst you drink; that way, you can do so safely. Ideally, not vodka straight from the bottle.”

I can’t stop myself from chuckling as I shake my head.

“What?” I hear Travis ask.

“Nothing,” I answer, too tired and hungover to have this conversation.

“No, I want to know what part of that amused you,” he asks. I look up from my hands to look him in the eye.

“Like you would drop everything just so I could get wasted. You aren’t even here that often, so tell me how that little plan would work?” I point out, shaking my head, which I regret instantly as pain explodes behind my eyeballs. “Let’s face it, as soon as this trip is over, you will be gone again and won't come back for months.” I go to get out of bed, but Travis is in my way. “Excuse me, please, I need a shower.”

He looks at me momentarily before standing from the side of the bed, giving me room to get up.

As I walk past, Travis grabs my hand and pulls me to a stop.

“Maybe we have been away a lot, but that doesn’t mean we don’t care about you and what you are doing to yourself.”

I look down at my small hand in his big one and sigh.

“But not enough to stick around, I get it.” I look up and find his dark green eyes looking back at me. “It’s fine, Travis; we all have our own lives, I get it. It’s the way it’s always been. Why change a habit of a lifetime.” I reach up and kiss his cheek. “Thank you for looking after me; I am fine now. You can go back to bed.”

I walk into my bathroom but hear Travis whisper as I close the door.

“Time things changed for you, Sweetheart.”

11

Travis

How haven’t I noticed how bad she is before now?

Last night wasn’t about catching her boyfriend cheating; that woman is on a slow downward spiral, and I don’t know how no one has noticed before.

Because no one is here to see it.

“How is she?”

I look up to see Ethan and Ryan walking into the kitchen, where I’m making a cup of coffee.

“Not good,” I answer, walking past them to look up the stairs. “We need to talk, ideally, before she comes down.”

We all walk back into the kitchen and gather by the coffee machine.

“You guys were right; she’s not in a good place. There’s more going on than we knew about. I don’t think her father even realises how ill she’s becoming.” Taking a deep breath, I run my hand over my face. I’m exhausted; I haven’t slept a wink all night. Every little moan or cough from Verity whilst she slept had me jumping to my feet to check on her.

“For the time being, I don’t want her left alone. I’m going to take her to her performance tonight and see how she is when she’s there. As much as I hate to admit it, I need to speak to the O’Reilly’s woman as I know they are close.”

“Do you think you can be anywhere near an O’Reilly without fighting?” Ethan asks. I look at him with an arched brow. “Look, man, I get it. But the last thing Verity needs is you getting arrested or worse for fighting with her best friend, fellas.”

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