Page 95 of Pieces

Her body’s limp, weighed down by exhaustion, but I feel the way her fingers curl into my shirt. “Almost there, squirt,” I murmur. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

I carry her upstairs, my steps careful and quiet, and nudge open her bedroom door with my foot.

Daphne appears a second later, holding the bucket and a glass of water with a straw. “How’s she doing?” she whispers.

“Wiped,” I reply, lowering Rory onto her bed. She whines as I ease her down, her face scrunching up in discomfort. “Hey, hey,” I soothe, brushing her hair back. She doesn’t feel hot, which is good, just a little clammy. “You’re okay. Just sleep.”

Daphne sets the bucket down by the bed and slides the water onto the nightstand. “Rory,” she says, her voice soft as she kneels beside her, “I brought you some water if you feel up to it later, okay?”

Rory’s lashes flutter, her voice barely a whisper. “Thanks…”

Daphne gives her hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re welcome, superstar.”

Rory’s eyes close fully this time, her breathing steady.

I reach for the comforter and tuck it carefully around her shoulders. “Night, kiddo,” I murmur. “Feel better.”

In the hallway, I blow out a breath, my shoulders sagging now that the adrenaline’s worn off.

Daphne leans against the doorframe, watching me with something unreadable in her eyes. “You’re good at that, you know,” she says.

I glance at her, one eyebrow lifting in silent question.

“Taking care of her, I mean.”

I scratch the back of my neck, suddenly feeling exposed in a way that has nothing to do with the late hour. “She’s my sister,” I say, like that explains everything. And maybe it does. “I’ve always looked out for her.”

Daphne steps closer, her eyes on mine, something careful but certain in her voice. “It’s more than that,” she says quietly. “You’re patient with her. You’re soft when she needs it. It’s…really nice to see.”

Reading between the lines, I nod. “She’s easy to love. Even when she’s puking her guts up.”

She huffs a light laugh, and then her arms are around me, her head tucked under my chin.

I immediately fold her into me, and something about it makes my chest feel…full.

“Ilikedbeing there. With you. Helping. We’re a pretty good team.”

I brush a thumb along her spine. “Yeah?”

She nods.

“I think I’ll need to keep checking on her. I told Mom to stay at her boyfriend’s tonight and that we’ll look after Rory. She gave me tips on what to do.”

“I’m surprised she agreed.”

“Drunk Mom is pretty agreeable.”

She laughs too, but then yawns. “Come on, let’s get some sleep while we can.”

Chapter forty

Hudson

14-15 weeks

I didn’t want to leave the bubble we created in Aurora Valley. It’s been three weeks since we’ve been back at school, but I’m still holding on to the way things felt there. Maybe I’m obsessed with the place, or maybe I’m obsessed with her. Hell, probably both.

It’s not like we haven’t adjusted to being back, though. Daphne’s first post went live last week for CLUSports, and it’s been picking up traction the last few days.

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