Page 53 of Riot

My morning sickness vanished as soon as I hit the second trimester. May’s pushing fifteen weeks and still throwing up like she’s under demonic possession. It’s not hard to see the strain it’s putting on her body.

“Apparently, morning sickness can last the entire pregnancy.” Her smile is fragile, like she’s holding on to her stomach by a thread. “Isn’t that fun?”

I scan her face.Is she lying to me?Is there more to this than she’s saying?

I love my sister, but she has this annoying habit of dealing with everything alone. I think she forgets sometimes that I’m not a kid anymore and I don’t need to be shielded from the realities of the real world.

I’ve seen more than she has.

“Have the doctors said anything?”

“Of course not, because there’s nothing to worry about.” Her voice is too bright, and I wish I could do something to fix her problems the way she always fixes mine.

May was so happy to be pregnant, and it pisses me off that she’s having such a difficult time. She deserves to enjoy it.

“Let’s hope it settles down soon,” I say.

“Yeah, all this puking makesmewanna puke,” Toby mutters. “I can’t deal with the sound of retching.”

Maylie stifles a yawn. “Poor you. I’m sorry my relentless vomiting offends your delicate stomach.”

Toby barks a laugh.

“Where’s Mace?” He’s usually glued to Maylie like a tattooed guard dog.

“He’s picking up some snacks.” She smiles. “I’m craving salty crisps.”

I notice the folded pile of blankets in the corner and the pillow I know will smell of him.

“And Riot?” I keep my voice casual, easy. Like I care, but not too much.

“He had to go to the clubhouse.” Maylie’s hand presses over her stomach hidden beneath one of Mace’s sweaters. It swallows her, making her seem smaller than she already does.

Toby perks up. “Are we ever gonna go back there?”

The eyeful of boobs he got last time is probably branded into his teen boy brain.

“Not until you’re at least eighteen and no longer a hormonal gremlin,” I say.

Toby scowls. “You’re a real bore since you had a baby.”

“You’ve always been a boring dork,” I retort with a smirk.

Maylie’s brow furrows, but she ignores our bickering, like she always does. It feels good to do something normal, routine. It lifts a weight off my chest.

“It’s not really the place for boys to hang out,” Maylie says.

Toby groans dramatically. “You’re boring too.” Then, like he only just noticed it, he adds, “That’s cute.”

I glance down at the bear still clutched in my fist. Shit, I forgot the whole reason I left the sanctuary of my bedroom.

“Oh… yeah. Do you know where it came from? It was in Seren’s hospital bag.”

Their blank expressions confirm my worst fear—they didn’t buy it for Seren.

“Should I know?” Maylie asks.

I glance at Toby, who shakes his head. “Don’t look at me. I’d never buy her something so girly.”

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