Page 127 of Bad Blood

“I agree.”

I am going crazy.

And I’m lost.

Why is Brighton here? Wherever the hell this is.

“With what?” I ask, taking in her messy topknot, navy scrubs, and fleece jacket.

“Running into each other like this.”

I grin. “Is that right?”

“Are you stalking me?” A whip of lightning highlights her face and the smile she’s fighting to keep off her lips.

“I would never.” If she only knew the half of it. I know what that’s like, and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

“You appeared on my doorstep out of the blue? No stalking intended?”

“Yep.”

A crack of thunder echoes through the air, and she jumps, glancing down the street. “Do you live around here?” She narrows her eyes, suspicion etched across her brow.

I shake my head. “I went for a walk to clear my mind, and now I’m lost.”

“It could be worse.” She turns away from me, yanking a set of keys from her jacket pocket. She pushes the fob, and the lights on the truck at the curb blink twice, accompanied by a beep.

“It’s colder than I thought it was.” I rub my hands on my arms, wishing I didn’t run out of the house in a tee and jeans, but I agree it could be worse.

The corner of Brighton’s mouth twitches, and I can’t decide if she’s trying to fight a smile or brush me off. She takes a deep breath, readjusts the bag on her shoulder, and climbs the first couple of steps toward the door.

I lean against the rail, and a shiver races through my body.

She turns to face me, placing a fist on her jutted hip, a smorgasbord of emotions swirling across her features. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but I swear, if you can’t be there for Liam in the capacity he deserves—I’ll kill you.”

“What?” When did we change subjects?

“I don’t want Liam to be alone.”

“What makes you think something would happen?” Did Liam mention Dani? Why would she be worried about something happening to me?

“Stop thinking about yourself. He’s scared you won’t show up for him when he needs you. Did he tell you he doesn’t want to do treatment? Or how he thinks he has to take care of you because you’re too fragile? Did he mention he doesn’t want to ask you to be there because if he does, there’s a chance he’ll have to be supportive of you?” By the end of her spiel, she balls her fists at her sides, and her neck and cheeks are red—not the hue I’ve come to enjoy.

I hold up my hands. “Whoa. Where the hell did that come from?”

“You should have been there.” There’s a crack in her voice.

“You don’t think I know that? I already feel shitty about it. You don’t have to rub it in.”

“Are you taking this seriously? Liam’s sick. Really sick.”

I run a hand through my hair and pinch my eyes closed before glancing at her. “I don’t need reminding.”

She shoves off the steps, stomping toward me. “Yes, you do, or you would have been there for his appointment.” She jabs a finger into my chest and stares into my eyes. The anger and frustration brewing below the surface spilling over the edges of her well-kept façade. “Sorry. I didn’t mean . . . I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t think you understand how . . .” She leaves the rest of the sentence unsaid, turns on her heel, and returns to the steps, grabbing her bag from where she left it. “It’s been a long day.”

“You’re not the only one.”

She scoffs. “I don’t think it’s fair to compare.”

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