Page 104 of Vicious Deception

Before I leave, I give Wren one last look. I’m familiar enough with how to take care of someone with a concussion thanks to a backflip gone wrong years ago—not that I think Wren has one. She’s not showing most symptoms, but we’ll still wake her up in a couple hours to see how she’s doing.

Downstairs, Andrew and Benny are in the kitchen eating what appears to be some type of soup. There’s fresh bread on the counter that’s cut into thick slices.

“Hey,” Andrew says. “Meredith dropped by. She said that’s for you.” He nods to a long, thin box sitting on the island.

“Thanks.” Tucking it under my arm, I gesture to the two bowls on the table. “I was gonna ask if you guys are hungry, but . . .”

“Meredith brought dinner,” Benny says, his mouth full of food. “Said to call her if we need anything.”

The thought tugs on my heartstrings.Of course she did.Meredith has always been so supportive, so respectful. I know she wants to help and be there for us, but she also wants to give us space if that’s what we need.

As for the package, I’m glad she got it to me so quickly. I could’ve ordered one, but I was hoping that asking Meredith to pick one up for me would be faster.

She didn’t even bat an eye at my request. I didn’t tell her why I need it, but I think she put the pieces together. Not only is Meredith one of the strongest people I know, but she’s also one of the smartest.

“What is it?” Benny asks, his eyes on the package.

Rolling his eyes, Andrew knocks his brother in the shoulder. “Had to stop him from opening it.”

Benny just grins, watching me expectantly.

“A secret,” I say. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Awww, come on! All everyone is doing is keeping secrets.”

“Rhett will explain things to you soon,” I tell him. “He just needs a little time.”

Benny flops into his chair dramatically. “I wish time would go by faster.”

“I used to say that all the time. My mom always told me the opposite is true when you grow up.” To this day, I’m not sure how she can be so correct but so wrong at the same time.

“My mom says that, too.” Benny’s face falls, like he’s just remembering that she exists. “I feel bad making her worry about us.”

“Have you thought about what we talked about?” Andrew asks.

“I told you! I don’t want to see Dad anymore. He scares me.”

“AndItold you, what if Dad wasn’t in the picture?”

Throwing his hands up in the air, Benny glares at Andrew. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

Andrew and I exchange a quick glance that, thankfully, Benny doesn’t seem to notice. Rhett mentioned the conversation he had with Andrew earlier. He didn’t admit anything, but the implication is clear—to Andrew, anyway.

“Are they getting divorced?” Benny asks hopefully.

“Maybe,” Andrew replies. “If they did, and Mom could get sole custody of you, would you be okay with that?”

“Yeah,” Benny says. Then he adds softly, “I miss her. I don’t want her to be sad that I’m gone.”

“Maybe we can work something out.” I give him a reassuring smile.

Just then, Rhett walks in, his hand clasped in Oliver’s. Both of them look more relaxed than when I ran into them upstairs.

“What’s in there?” Oliver asks.

My jaw tightens as he eyes the package. When he reaches for it, I shy away.

“Ell! Come on, you never keep secrets. What are you doing?”

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