Page 167 of Damaged Protector

“Oh god,” my sister said in mock-horror. “Anything but that.”

“You know seeing me will brighten your day,” I teased.

“I guess I could put up with you,” she sighed, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “How are things going with Mallori?”

“The same,” I admitted, casting a glance down the hallway to make sure she wasn’t coming back.

“Just tell her you’re in love with her, you idiot.”

“I can’t,” I hissed. “I told you, I’m pretty sure she already knows after our trip to the cabin. She obviously doesn’t feel the same, and that’s why she said we have to stay in the friend zone.”

Jenn was the only person I could talk to about Mallori. I certainly couldn’t talk to my work friends because they were also friends with Cam.

“What if it’s a miscommunication trope?” she asked.

“I don’t know what the fuck that means,” I grumbled.

“It’s a book thing,” she said airily. “It’s when both parties are complete idiots and don’t tell the other person a piece of vital information.”

“She’s not an idiot,” I argued, earning me a laugh from my sister.

“God, you’re such a sucker for her. What if she feels the same, and she’s scared to tell you because she thinks you don’t love her, and all the while, you love her but don’t tell her because you think she doesn’t love you?” She said all that in one long sentence that made my head throb.

“That’s very convoluted,” I complained before changing the subject. “Have you talked to our mother?”

“Just the occasional check-in every couple weeks, like normal. I haven’t told her about the surgery. I was going to call her after I got off the phone with you. She’ll probably show up with the obligatory flower arrangement, stay for a couple minutes, and then leave.”

We talked for a few more minutes, and then I heard the printer whir in the small room I used as a home office. Mal was probably printing something for school. I should probably let her know I’m leaving, and I still needed to try and find a flight that would get me there as early as possible.

“All right, Jenn. I need to go take care of a few things,” I said into the phone. “I’ll try to get there before your surgery, but if not, hopefully I’ll be waiting for you when you wake up.”

“You know I don’t expect you to come, right?”

“I know. I want to,” I told her.

“I look forward to seeing you, little bro. Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetie.”

“See? It’s really not that hard to say. Why don’t you—”

“Bye, you annoying brat,” I cut in and then hung up to the sound of her laughter.

“What time is Jennifer’s surgery?” Mallori asked, striding swiftly back into the room. She stopped in front of me, and her cheeks pinkened. “Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

“You weren’t eavesdropping, Bee. I was talking in front of you. There’s a difference. And the surgery is at eight.”

She bit her bottom lip and studied the papers in her hand. “Okay, we land at six-oh-two. If we don’t check a bag, that will make it faster. How far is the hospital from the airport?”

Big aqua eyes blinked up at me, awaiting my answer.

“Umm… what?”

“How far is the hospital from the airport?” she enunciated.

“Not far. A few minutes.”

Mal handed over a sheaf of papers. “Okay, I printed out our flight information since this was a last minute booking. Got us in an exit row to give you more leg room. I’ve started packing your bag but check it and make sure I didn’t miss anything. It’s on your bed.” Then she turned and fast-walked from the room, leaving me confused in her wake.

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