AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Bad word.”
“Why would she do that?” Brey asked, blinking in bewilderment.
I shrugged, even as I explained, “Life is hard for her right now. She just lost her sister, and coming out of the coma was really confusing and painful. She’s learning how to walk again, and my presence there was just…irritating for her.”
Amy squinted in disbelief. “But you’re not really that irritating. I mean, sometimes you’re so helpful and considerate and perfect that itisirritating, but you personally areactually a really good guy.”
“Thanks.” Coming from Amy, that meant a lot.
“Maybe she’ll get better and want to see you again,” Reed said hopefully.
I smiled sadly. “I hope so, but until then, it just hurts. I don’t like not being there when she’s going through such a tough time.”
And I missed her.
God, I think I missed her more than I’d ever missed anything.
“I have some stuff at home to help with the bags under your eyes,” Amy offered with a small cringe, trying to help me in her own way. “I mean, if you want some.”
But fuck, it almost made me start crying right there.
Managing to huff out a choked laugh, I answered, “I think I’m okay, but thanks.” And I reached across the table to squeeze her hand in gratitude.
On my lap, Little announced, “Done! Look at my picture, Foster.”
As she held it up to show me the Duke’s logo that she’d colored, I kissed her hair, grateful for every single one of my siblings that I had left. “I love it,” I announced. “Can I hang it on my wall at home?”
“Of course,” she answered in such a grown-up-sounding way that I melted and pulled her close so I could rest my cheek on the top of her head.
Glancing around at the other three who were still watching me in concern, I announced, “I swear, I have the best siblings on the planet. I’m so grateful to have all four of you. I don’t know what I’d do without a single one of you.”
34
RAINA
They released me from the hospital on Valentine’s Day.
The captain brought me a red, heart-shaped box full of chocolates when he arrived to pick me up, and of course, I cried when he gave them to me. But at least these were happy tears.
There was no way I could completely take care of myself yet—I wasn’t even allowed to drive for at least another month—so the captain decided to just take me home with him to Galveston.
But first, we stopped by my place to pack a bag.
As we reached the door to 2G, I cringed, already picturing the state my poor apartment must be in. I could already imagine the stink since I was sure I’d had some apples and bananas sitting out in the kitchen.
And my plant... It was probably as dead as a doornail.
“I’m just going to apologize now,” I glanced over my shoulder to warn the captain. “Because it’s a mess inside.”
Except when I pushed the door open, my front room was as neat as a pin. “Wha?—?”
I blinked, confused, as the captain stepped past me and whistled. “Damn, Pookie. I guess I should’ve kicked you out of the house earlier if this is what messy looks like to you these days. Your bedroom was never this picked up at home.”
“I—it…” I trailed him inside, blinking at everything before spinning to face my dad. “Are you saying you didn’t clean this?”
He turned back to me and frowned. “No. Of course not. Besides, I couldn’t remember which apartment was yours, anyway.”
“Then who…?” I wandered through the front room to check out the kitchen.
