Page 113 of When Hearts Collide

You want to get maxi pads of various sizes. If she’s in a lot of pain, she’s probably in the beginning days of her period. So, you want some overnight ones, some heavy ones and maybe a few regulars. Get the ones with the wings.

A few seconds later, another text follows.

Lana

Ah shit. Sorry, I meant to privately message you but accidentally replied in the group chat.

Then my phone lights up with a deluge of messages. I called Lana after I carried Millie upstairs to my apartment, changed her out of her gown and into one of my T-shirts, and tucked her into bed with a heating pad I got from Gretchen.

Millie looked so pale, her slight frame shaking with tremors every so often, her body drenched in sweat. Desperation flooded my insides at the misery I saw on her face.

What I would do to take that pain away from her. I’d rather someone slice off my hands than to see her writhing in agony on my bed.

I could’ve asked Gretchen or the other staff to purchase the supplies for me from the pharmacy, but somehow, that didn’t feel right.

I needed to be the one to pick out the items for her, to ensure she has the best of the best. I wanted to be the one to care for her, even though I couldn’t love her in the public manner she deserved.

The Ball, the speech, and everything else faded into the background, my priority first and foremost, her.

Then, I arrived at the pharmacy and realized I had no idea what I was doing and had to enlist Lana for advice on what items I should get for Millie.

I roll my eyes as I read the other texts hitting the chat group incessantly.

Rex

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop the presses. What on earth is going on? Why is B asking about…pads? Wings? What the fuck is happening?

I smirk. I can see his grimace all the way from over here.

Ethan

Because B is a mature man who is comfortable with his masculinity. Because his woman is obviously suffering from that time of the month. And Ryland, for the record, I knew you had a woman.

Rex

What makes you the expert, Ethan? And no shit. We all knew he was hiding someone this entire time. It’s as obvious as the sky is blue.

I guess I haven’t been very good at hiding my feelings. But I’m actually relieved my family and close friends know how I feel about Millie. They won’t tell anyone. I trust them with my life.

The texts continue to light up my phone.

Ethan

I’m a mature man myself, unlike someone.

Lana

Morons. All of you. Except Ryland. I think it’s sweet what he’s doing. Even if everyone at The Ball is asking me about his whereabouts now. I’ll handle the PR side of things, B. I have your back.

Maxwell

Don’t worry about The Ball. We got you covered. Go take care of Millie.

My breath freezes in my throat as I realize the attention I’ve drawn to us by dancing with her. Of course, people will notice. I should’ve known. Fuck. I hope this doesn’t cause problems for Millie later.

The three dots appear on the screen, and I see the statuses noting multiple people are typing at the same time. God, I love my siblings and friends, but they are a fucking nosy bunch.

Rex

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