Page 10 of Love Sick

“What happened to him?”

Alanna’s happiness soon turns sour. “Nothing happened. He’s resting.”

Yeah, resting forever…but again, my bad. I need to rein in the sarcasm because I know she’ll read it all over my face. So, I decide to rephrase.

“What happened for him to be so…tired?”

Alanna watches me for any signs of deceit.

I simply smile sweetly in response.

“He worked so hard. He would bend over backward for anyone…even for people who didn’t deserve it.”

And there it is—jealousy. And from the bite to her tone, I dare say it was a woman.

This house of horrors sits on a throne of lies, lies which I need to uncover to get out of here.

“How old was…is he?”

“What does that matter?” she snaps, which means he was either a lot older or younger than her.

I can’t gauge an age just by looking at Jonathan because he’s a dried-out piece of jerky, so I will assume older than Alanna. Was he married? Was Alanna the “other woman?” It would explain why she is going above and beyond to prove her love for him.

The possibilities are endless.

“I just want to know him better, that’s all. I already know he has good taste in music…and women.” My pause is intentional and works like a charm when Alanna’s cheeks turn crimson.

No wonder she hates Luna—she sees her as competition. But this is a race Alanna will never win.

A phone vibrates in her jacket pocket, interrupting the moment. She retrieves it, and when she peers down at the screen, her lips pull into a thin line. I dare say whoever the caller is, is not someone Alanna wishes to speak to.

“I told you I would call you,” she snarls at the caller, not bothering with hellos. “What? No. Absolutely not.”

Panic sets in, and I watch with interest as Alanna throws a sheet over Jonathan and quickly releases the bed brakes, and frantically wheels him out of the room, her white doctor’s coat chasing her as she continues talking to whoever it is on the phone.

I crane my neck, hoping to catch a glimpse outside the door, but I can’t see anything. Frustrated, I slump back down onto the pillows, cataloging over everything I’ve learned.

The undying love Alanna has for Jonathan is unhealthy, which has me guessing she did something when he was alive that she is trying to make amends for in death.

But what?

I suddenly hear voices—real ones this time.

“Where is he? I want to see him! You promised me you would take care of him! I’ve waited long enough!”

“No…”I hear Misha say loudly.

They are animated and the closer they get, I recognize one as Alanna and the other…no fucking way. No wonder I heard Misha.

Joy bursts through the doorway with Alanna hot on her heels, but the moment Joy sees me, she stops dead in her tracks, eyes wide. She doesn’t speak. She just looks at me in utter shock.

“Alanna, what is this?” she gasps, placing a wavering hand over her mouth. “I never agreed to this!”

Alanna is unmoved by Joy’s hysterics. “I’m cleaning upyourmess, Joy.”

“My mess?” she snaps, spinning around to face Alanna. “We agreed that it was always going to end with Luna. He was never part of the deal.”

“What did she ever do to you?” I question Joy, unable to keep the contempt from my voice.

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