Page 158 of Twisted Collide

“Would you TP the house?” This time, I can’t help the mischievous grin spreading across my face.

“If you really want me to . . .”

I reach out and place my palm on his forehead. “Nope. No temperature.”

He removes my hand and lifts it to his mouth, kissing it gently before placing it back on my lap. “I’d do anything for you.”

“Did I get hit on the head, or you? Because you’re acting weird.”

“I’m acting like a man who was scared to death when I thought you were dead and realized I couldn’t live in a world without you.”

My heart thumps, and tears well in my eyes, but I push them away. “Back to the grovel. So. Um, what did you tell them?” I clear my throat.

“Tell who?”

“My father. Sherry.”

“I told them I felt responsible for what happened to you and wanted to see if you needed anything. I’m pretty sure your dad hates me now.” Dane shifts on the bed, looking down.

A piece of my heart breaks that he could ever think that. Doesn’t he know how special he is? My father loves him.

Deep down, I know he does. He’s only saying this because his mind remains clouded with the guilt of my accident.

“He doesn’t hate you.” I place a reassuring hand on his arm. “He loves you.You might not see it now, but I was so jealous for months. He looked at you and your sister the way I wanted him to look at me.”

He glances back up, uncertainty still in his eyes, but there’s also something else there: hope. “If you say so.”

“I do.” I squeeze gently.

For a moment, we both go quiet. A somber feeling is heavy in the room, but then Dane leans in closer. “How are you feeling?”

“Head still hurts.” I grimace, rubbing my temples. “The doctor said I’d have a headache for a few days, but it still sucks.”

Concern etches his face. “What can I do to help you?”

My fingers fidget with the hem of the comforter. “Nothing.” I glance at the clock, then back at Dane.

His lips have formed a thin line. “Stop, Hellfire, let me help.”

“Maybe I don’t want you to grovel.” I cross my arms, trying to stay strong. A part of me knows that, like Aphrodite, I’d always go to him. A gravitational pull between us can’t be denied, but another part wants to be strong and hold out a little longer.

“You deserve the grovel.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face, and I lean into his touch.

“I’m just tired. And everything hurts.”

“So let me pamper you.” Small lines crinkle the side of Dane’s eyes as a hopeful smile tugs his lips up.

“Fine. A painkiller would be nice. And the super secret recipe hot chocolate?”

“Whatever you want. I’m here to serve you.”

Despite my exhaustion, being taken care of sounds nice right now. I can’t remember the last time anyone has taken care of me. My mom wasn’t around much, and when she was, doting isn’t a word I’d ever use to describe her behavior. Maybe I do deserve a little R and R with a side of being spoiled. “You win. What does the pampering entail?”

He raises his brow. “Foot massage.”

“That’s hardly pampering.” I roll my eyes playfully.

“What would you do if you took a fullmeday?”

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