Page 162 of Wicked Dreams

“Sleep,” he says.

If I close my eyes, I might seehim.

Caleb exhales and tucks me into his side. I cling to him and force my eyes shut.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers into my hair.

I relax. And eventually, I sleep.

Chapter 35

Margo

Lenora rushes out of the house, down the steps. She throws her arms around me, holding me close. The scent I’ve come to associate with her—orange blossom from her shampoo—envelops me.

Tears prick my eyes.Again.

She pulls back and looks at me. “Robert said something bad happened, and then you didn’t want to come home?”

Caleb didn’t let me out of his sight until I was safely tucked in Riley’s car. Now, Riley stands awkwardly behind me, fidgeting.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to worry you…”

Today, there are new bruises. My stomach looks terrible—worse than yesterday, even—and my neck… there’s no hiding the handprints. Caleb got the marker off my arm, but the bite is going to stay for a while.

I showered this morning, moving slowly. I almost vomited at the thought of reaching up to wash my hair. But then Caleb came in, eyed me, and took over.

The memory of his hands massaging my scalp will keep me warm tonight, that’s for sure.

“My dear girl.” Lenora cups my cheek. “I understand that sometimes it’s better to have a friend’s comfort. Especially since you two have become so close.” She gestures for Riley to come closer and loops her arm around Riley’s shoulders. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

Riley shifts from side to side.

I widen my eyes at her.We’ve been over this.

I’m not sure how Robert and Lenora would react to knowing I was at Caleb’s house overnight. Well, Eli’s.

Does Riley know Caleb stays at Eli’s house? Has she been there?

When I tried to question Caleb about it again this morning, he wouldn’t answer me. I’ve abandoned the topic for now.

“I already called Emery-Rose to report a sick day,” Lenora says. “And I think you should see a doctor. At least to make sure…” Her gaze falls to my stomach. It’s hidden under Caleb’s t-shirt, but it’s like she can see right through it.

I swallow.

“My best friend is a trauma doctor,” Lenora says. “I asked her to stop by on her way in today.”

“So it’s already decided,” I mumble.

Lenora nods. “Better safe than sorry, honey. Riley, you should head to school.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Riley gives me a quick hug, then retreats.

Lenora and I walk into the house. I go to my room and shrug off my jacket, quickly switching Caleb’s shirt for one of mine. I stuff his under my pillow.

I exchange my skirt—couldn’t exactly wear his shorts home—for comfortable pants.

Lenora closes the front door as I come back down. She has my backpack in her hand. “Riley forgot she had this.”

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