Page 42 of Shameless Expectations

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Please, Monti. You have to try. Someone has to help her.”

Fuck.

She hated when Fallon used that tone on her. She was powerless against it. It was the same tone of voice she’d used when she called the first time to see if Monti would give her sleepless boss a massage to help her relax.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Helping someone isn’t a good idea?” Fallon fired back. “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”

“Damn it, Fallon. I don’t want to be a therapist anymore.”

“This is different!” Fallon was back to pleading. “This is someone I care about, and she’s hurting.”

Monti narrowed her gaze. She sat in silence, contemplating her options. Fallon wasn’t going to give this one up, and if Monti didn’t agree to it, she knew Fallon was going to be angry with her for a long time. If there was one thing that Fallon did well, it was hold a grudge.

“Fine.” Monti clapped her hands together. “Fine, I’ll help. Where the hell is she?”

“Library, I think.”

“Of course.” Monti should have known that, and if she’d thought about it, she would have. But she’d wanted to avoid Athena and the awkwardness that had come between them the last time they’d been in a room together.

Standing up, Monti looked down at Fallon. “Lunch another day then?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.” Crossing her arms, Monti walked to the library.

When she got there the door was shut, but she could feel Athena’s presence on the other side. She had that understated power that drew Monti to her at every turn. Licking her lips, Monti pressed her palm to the door and steadied herself.

She could do this.

She could go in, figure out what the hell was wrong, get Athena back on even ground, and extricate herself from the situation as fast as she’d gotten into it.

That’s all she needed to do.

Reaching down, Monti turned the knob and pushed the door open. But it didn’t budge. Pushing harder, she stopped when Athena grunted and the door finally gave way. Furrowing her brow, Monti slipped inside and stared down at Athena, curled up into herself, sitting on the floor, wide eyes staring up at her. Immediately, Monti dropped to her knees.

Fuck.

This was bad.

Fallon hadn’t lied.

Monti shut the door, and Athena shifted back to lean against it. Her shoulders were so tightly drawn that she looked like she was trying to crawl in on herself. Monti shifted to lean against the door as well, stretching out her legs in front of her and staring at the window.

Instead of saying anything, she stayed there in silence. She was going to have to approach this issue delicately. And it was going to take every ounce of patience and strength she had to keep Athena on the right track.

“I love this room,” Monti finally said, keeping her tone light and calm. The last thing Athena needed was to feel her own anxiety pulsing. “I think it might be my favorite room in your house. I haven’t seen your whole house, but I imagine this would still be my favorite.”

Athena took a deep breath, her lungs expanding and collapsing as she blew the air out. That was at least a good sign.

“It’s mine, too,” Athena murmured before reaching up and brushing her eyes. The tear stains were clear, but they were already dry. So it had been a while since she’d stopped crying.

Monti wondered if Athena knew how long it had been.

“Why? Why do you like it in here?” Monti scooted a little closer, hoping that Athena wouldn’t pick up on just how close she was.

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