Page 150 of Citius

Kelsey held my hand tight. Her nails were long, carefully maintained ovals painted with purple holographic polish. As pleasing as they were perfect. Just like my sister. A stark contrast to my short, utilitarian nails, with their ragged cuticles.

“What happens if you get worse?”

“I can take a sick day. Cal’s coming over Friday night to spend the weekend with me. Plus, Piper’s in town. I’ll be fine.”

“Great. Busy sister and even busier boyfriend to the rescue. How reassuring.”

“Well, if they’re not available…” I gestured toward unit 602.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Could you be a little more specific?”

“Uh…” I stalled, mentally running through the roster of Pack Redmond. Who was the best backup?

Owen was out of the question. For some unknown reason, I’d been granted view-only access to his calendar, and the man barely had time to breathe, let alone hold my hair back while I vomited. After our elevator show-down and his cryptic not-offer of employment with Redwing, keeping my distance felt like the safest option.

As for Wyatt… I still hadn’t thanked him for my birthday presents, something I should have done before the fall gala and definitely before we posed for those damned photos together. But I hadn’t. Because I didn’t know howto be around Wyatt anymore. Nor could I figure out what to say in response to his last text, complete with one of those regrettable photos attached.

Joaquin was out of the running, too. He’d be tied up with the same dress rehearsals as Piper.The Nutcrackerwas opening next weekend, the day after Thanksgiving.

Which left me with a single, somewhat sensitive option. An absolute last resort—because I was in no shape to finish our conversation from the gala. How could I turn Alijah down with the care and reassurance he deserved when I couldn’t even stomach a cup of ginger tea?

“It’s another away game this weekend. Alijah will be around. I promise to call him if Cal and Piper aren’t available.”

Kelsey studied my face with her resolute green gaze, combing through my words for anyhint of mistruth or a loophole I might be trying to exploit. “If you’re lying to me—”

“I’m not—really, I’m not. And to prove it, if I screw up while you’re gone, I promise I won’t ask you to fix anything spicy for the rest of the year. Same goes for adding chili flakes or hot sauce behind your back.”

“Wow,” she said flatly. “Six whole weeks, one of which is reserved for your heat. What marvelous restraint.”

I slumped forward, resting my head against her shoulder. “Well, it is for me.”

“I know.” Kelsey rubbed my back, her touch as steady and soothing as always. “Which is why I’m inclined to believe you.”

Her agreement gave me a moment’s peace.

A literal moment, ruined by Rory hollering from the entrance of my suite, “What’s the hold-up? I’m starving!”

***

“I’ve got all the gifts from Piper and me,” Kelsey said early Wednesday morning as she reviewed her neatly packed suitcase on the dining room table.

“Gift card?” I asked, perched on the edge of the arm of the couch, giving Kip copious amounts of ear rubs.

“In my wallet. I’ll give it to Pops when we arrive.”

Rory leaned over the walkway railing, holding up the narwhal onesie. “Can I take this? Jenna said she wanted one.”

“Be my guest,” I said, glad to be rid of it.

“Cool!” He scampered back to the guest room. “Oh, I might have borrowed a few of your sweatshirts, too.”

“I only let him pilfer the two you didn’t like,” Kelsey added, toying with her locket as she headed to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “You’ve got lunches and dinner prepped for the rest of the week. And your most reliable snacks—grapes, cheese cubes, bananas.” She closed the door. “At least your stomach is too iffy to binge on trigger foods, so that’s one less thing to worry about.”

“Har-har,” I deadpanned, glancing at the time. “He’s taking too long.”

Kelsey gave me a look, allowing me enough time to shield my ears before she yelled upstairs, “Rory, hurry up! We need to leave.”

“In a minute!” he yelled back.

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