Page 194 of One Big Little Secret

“My mom’s on her way.”

“But—”

“Lady Bug, I know this is hard for you.” He uses the endearment like a weapon—or is it a plea? “I know you want to be here with him, but we need to talk. You also need sleep.”

“I can’t leave him now,” I say, my voice no more than a whisper. “What if I leave and he wakes up and I’m not here? What if he stops—stops breathing?”

Patton flinches, a movement so small I almost don’t see it.

“He won’t,” he growls firmly.

“You don’t know that.”

“You said he’s stable, right? When do they think he’ll wake up?”

“…I don’t know. Not before morning, I’m sure.”

“And they’re checking him. Constantly. Plus, my mom will call us the second anything changes. I’m sure of it.”

Nothing’s guaranteed, but he takes my hands and links his fingers with mine.

“Will you trust me? I’m trying to help,” he whispers, his blue eyes fixed on my face. The same cutting midnight-blue eyes Arlo inherited. “And you need to be well for him.”

If I speak again, I’m definitely going to cry, so I just nod and let him guide me up to my feet.

One hand remains around my waist, steadying me like he knows I might keel over if he stops holding me up.

Warmth blooms under his touch despite my resistance.

He’s too good at making me feel less alone.

Ugh, I need to get my feelings in order.

I’m still annoyed at him for leaving me. And I’m doubly annoyed at him for taking me away from Arlo, even though common sense tells me I should at least eat with my stomach growling like a wolf.

One tiny break can’t hurt, can it?

I can feel my heart ripping as we walk away from Arlo. Delly meets us down the hallway, her usually bright smile dim and twisted.

“Oh, my darling!” She hugs me quickly, holding me tighter than her small frame should. “I’m so sorry. I have no earthly idea what happened to that poor little boy.”

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you at all,” I say.

“I do. He atesomethingat my house.” Her face crumples.

“That’s not your fault, Mom,” Patton says quietly.

“How do you know?” Delly turns to him, and for the first time I notice the way her mascara isn’t picture perfect beneath her eyes. It’s been running, the same with the foundation on her cheeks where tears must’ve cut a recent trail.

“We’ll have answers soon,” Patton promises, though his expression doesn’t ease. “Look, we need to go, Mom. She needs dinner and Arlo needs someone with him. Can you do that?”

“Gladly.” Delly gives Patton a perfumed kiss on the cheek, and then it’s my turn. “I’ll call you the instant anything changes.”

“Thank you.” Patton reaches for my hand again.

Soon, we find out the cafeteria just closed, so we leave the hospital holding hands. The cold wind beating me in the face is another shock, and he throws his heavier coat over my shoulders.

My chest aches. Anger and resentment and affection battle, turning my guts into knots, and I don’t know which one will win.

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