Page 68 of Eternal

“Take it.” I step back. “I have an appointment to get to.”

Patience frowns, letting her phone ring for a second longer before answering it.

There’s nothing else to say. It’s easier for Patience to judge and lay blame than admit her brother might never come out of this. And as understanding as I’ve been, she needs to let it go, or it’s going to ruin her friendships.

Patience walks into Alex’s room, stopping just inside the door to talk on the phone. I look past her to see Mila sitting on the window seat with her legs crossed under her. She’s staring outside while she rambles on about something like she’s good at. Her fingers tangle in her brown hair as she pulls it back in a ponytail, and when the clouds break in the sky, the sunshine draws out red streaks in the strands.

Alex is still sitting on his bed with his notebook in his hand, but he’s no longer writing. He’s staring at Mila and listening to everything she says. His face is blank, but his eyes show a hint of light when I thought Sigma Sin burned that out of him.

My phone buzzes again with the notification of my appointment, and I turn back down the hallway, even more anxious than I was when I got here.

Maybe Patience is right. Maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe I’m losing my mind.

Teal: Maybe I’m crazy.

Declan: Maybe we all are.

20

You And Me

Teal

My parents’ house isthe most ostentatious monstrosity in a five-mile radius. It’s a show of my father’s money and status. They’re the only two things he cares about since Mom had complications giving birth to me, and he lost his chances of having a son to carry on his legacy.

Every new venture is a reminder I’ll never be something he’s proud of.

I pause at the front door, wondering why I agreed to come here tonight. My father refused to speak to me after I showed up at the fundraiser with Declan, so I don’t know why he extended the invite for this gathering. Usually, he prefers it when I avoid his dinner parties because he’s worried I’ll embarrass him in front of his friends.

Maybe he spoke to Dr. Parish and heard my medication has been adjusted, and he thinks I’m in a healthy enough mental space to handle this.

“Boo.”

Two arms wrap around my stomach, warming the cool night, and I jump with surprise as I’m pulled against Declan’s body.

“Jerk.” I swat at him, but he doesn’t let me go.

He dips his mouth by my ear. “Got you that time.”

He did, and I hate surprises. But still, I stop struggling because I’ve been standing outside this door for five minutes frozen, unable to break through the threshold, and somehow, he makes those nerves disappear.

I look up at him. “You got lucky that time.”

“Mm-hmm.” He winks, letting me go.

He looks good tonight, which isn’t out of the ordinary for him, except he’s dressed up more than usual. He’s wearing slacks and a dress shirt but no tie so he can leave the top buttons undone. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off his thick forearms. He’s rich-boy porn, and I hate that I’m susceptible.

Declan twists a strand of my hair around his finger. “You added more pink.”

“I was feeling bright. Why are you here?”

“Your father didn’t tell you?” Declan tucks his hands in his pockets. “Our fathers have decided to play nice tonight.”

“I thought this was a gathering of friends.” I hitch an eyebrow. “But if your father’s here, I guess not.”

“Deals with the devil usually require his presence.” Declan takes my hand in his. “Wouldn’t want to keep them waiting.”

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