Page 119 of Pick Me

Tears fogged my vision as I took her in. She had a bruise spanning the side of her face, but nothing else seemed to be wrong. Nothing except that she wouldn’t wake up. She flopped onto my chest, and I brought my fingers to her neck, thankful when I felt a pulse.

My shaky hand stroked her hair as I tried to gain enough composure to pull my phone out of my pocket.

“It’s going to be okay, Pyro. I promise.” I kissed her temple, knowing there was only one person I could call, and he was going to kill me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Thea

Tanner sighed heavily. “I know. I’m sorry.” His voice sounded distant, like he was in another room. “No. Don’t come. I’ll take care of her.”

Take care of who? Aster?

I wanted to say Tanner’s name, but my throat was too raw to make a sound. My head pounded; my body ached. When I’d finally gathered the strength to open my eyes, all I saw was a blinding white light, which was too much for my sensitive eyes.

Where am I?

My head felt like it was splitting apart even though I wasn’t moving, and the dizziness made me want to hurl. I let out a weak groan, but it barely registered over the relentless throb in my head. Surely, no one else could have heard it.

“Yeah, I’ll let you know when she wakes up.”

When who wakes up? Me?

“H-how were they?” Jackson. His deep voice immediately brought me comfort.

“Like you care.”

“Tanner!” It was Aster chastising my brother, which meant it wasn’t her who was in trouble.

Was it me? But I was fine and right here.

I had to be dreaming. The voices sounded too surreal to be anything but in my head.

“Are you seriously getting upset with me right now?” Even though Tanner’s voice was clearer, I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes. “For being rude to that jackass?”

I didn’t like the curt tone in my brother’s voice. Not when it was against my boyfriend.

“I’m sor—” Jackson’s voice was strained. Panicked, even. What the hell was going on, and why wasn’t anyone telling me?

“Tanner.” Aster spoke again, and I desperately tried to focus on everything they were saying so I could figure out where we were.

“No. I don’t want to hear it. Youwerean asshole tonight. Not only did you risk your own life, but you risked my sister’s, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive you for it.”

There was a bang, then a beat of silence.

Risked my life? What the hell was he talking about?

“He’ll come around. I’m sure of it.” Aster spoke again, and I couldn’t handle it anymore. I needed to know what was going on.

Groaning at the pain, I forced my eyes open, squinting against the searing white light. “Tanner?” It hurt to speak, and my voice cracked at the end of my twin’s name. I had no idea if this was real or a fever dream, but I knew he’d tell me what was going on. He always did.

A warm palm covered my own, grounding me. “Pyro?” Jackson’s voice was sharp and layered with urgency. “Tanner, come back! Thea’s awake.”

“I’ll go get him.” I saw a flash of Aster’s red hair as she moved through the room.

I took a breath and shut my eyes, the throbbing pain in my head becoming all too much. “Stay with me, Pyro. Your brother will be back in just a second.” His thumb rubbed my palm, and I so desperately wanted to squeeze it tight to let him know I was okay. I couldn’t, though.

“Jackson.” His name left my lips like a plea. The last attempt to let him know I was still there.

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