Page 78 of Your Secret to Keep

Her hand reaches back, touching the top of her shoulder. All it does is enhance the contrast between the skin on her hand and the agitation onher back. I step closer, putting my hands lightly on it, the bumps rough under my fingers.

“Oh, it’s not a big deal,” Lia says over her shoulder.

I hook my fingers at the top of her towel and pull it away, only to find the rash is covering her full back.

“Lia, it’s your whole back—”

“I know. I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled.” She tries to brush me off again and keeps walking toward the patio door.

Reaching for her hand, I stop her and turn her around to face me, her cheeks flushed pink. “Hey, where are you going?” I ask gently.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she protests. “I know it’s gross, but I know it’s not contagious, so there’s nothing to worry about it.”

She thinks it’s gross. That it bothers me. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“When is your appointment?”

Her eyes look to the floor, then the ceiling as she says, “Ummm, I’m on a waitlist for cancellation. But I have one in July.”

“July? As in like… almost eight months from now?” I ask, feeling my brows press into my forehead.

Lia sighs. “It’s the best I can do.”

“Youareaware that you work for an organization who has doctors on staff? And if they can’t help you, they most likely know someone else who can?”

She shifts her weight, crossing her arms tighter across her chest. “I’m not asking for any favors. I don’t need to bother anyone with this. It’s not like I’m a player. I’ve got this under control.”

“You’re part of the team,” I stress. “And under control? You have something going on that looks like it fucking hurts, and it’s taking over most of your back. Will it be your entire body by the time you get to see the doctor?”

“Why do you sound mad? This doesn’t impact you in any way shape or form,” she snaps while walking past me, headed for the stairs.

I follow her. “You know what? I am mad. And this does impact me.”

Surprised by my answer, Lia turns from a few stairs up and snaps back, “Do tell.”

It feels like she’s challenging me. “I’m mad that you’d rather hurt and suffer over taking help that I, or someone else, can offer. Yes, that makes me mad. And this,” I point between the two of us, “does impact me. You are part of my life. I care about you. I want you to be both happy and fucking healthy.”

I’m afraid she’s going to run upstairs, pack a bag, and leave, but I can’t let this go.

“If you’re pissed at me for wanting to take care of you? Go ahead. Be annoyed enough that you don’t let me help you. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to quit trying. I guess I’ll spend the rest of forever trying to do what I can. Give you everything you deserve. There’s a lot I’m willing to do to keep you, for as long as I can, why can’t you understand that?”

My voice dwindles and sounds softer than I planned.

Lia’s eyes widen. “Forever?” she asks, stepping down the stairs and getting closer to me.

“Or however long you let me have you,” I admit, putting my hands on her hips as she stands in front of me. “I think of things that could happen in the future, and you’re there. You’re always there.”

She’s silent, but steps down onto a stair closer to me. The air between us is charged, heavy and full. Like it’s full of the secrets we’ve been keeping—together and on our own.

“You mean it?” Lia asks softly. “Even though I’m a lot… with flooded apartments and random illnesses and—”

I put a finger to her lips. “You can tell me that you’re a lot all you want… but you still feel like the right amount for me.” Something crackles in the air; I can feel it rush over my skin. Something is coming.

Moving my finger from her lips, I wait for her to argue, to push back. Instead, she leans in and places her mouth against mine. I wrap my arms around her lower back and lift her from the stairs. When she’s flush against me, her hands move from the towel to my neck, pulling us closer together.

Lia breaks our kiss and her eyes, shining like pieces of sunlight through the trees, make me want to spill my guts. Anything she wants to know? It’s hers.

“Brooks, I’m going to say something to you. You don’t have to respond. But…” Lia takes a deep breath before sighing and saying, “I’m in love with you.”

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