Page 62 of The Bitter Words

Another fucking riddle. I swallow my desire to shake the living shit out of her and just tell me what’s really going on with him. I know there’s more to this.

There has to be because even I know migraines aren’t caused by feeling unloved or weak. Or maybe on some level they are, but he’s neither, so it doesn’t make sense.

I saw him. He was physically ill. And what the hell does his dad and challenges have to do with any of this?

We sit in silence and my muscles tighten, my stomach ties into knots, and my head is about to explode. Coming over here was a bad idea. Now I’m even more confused and frustrated.

I stand, getting ready to leave. “I’ll let him rest. When he feels better, will you please tell him I stopped by?”

“Of course, honey.” She gives me a sad smile. “Thank you for loving him. He needs that.”

I nod, but I want to roll my eyes because she’s speaking to me like I should understand everything she’s alluding to. Obviously, I don’t.

I stride over to him and kiss him on the forehead. His eyes open and connect with mine. His are bloodshot, red-rimmed, and empty.

He blinks a few times. “Lily, is that really you?”

“Yes, love. It’s me.”

“It’s blue.” He reaches up and touches my hair, which ishanging over my shoulder and near his face. His gaze ticks around my face like a slow-moving clock. “Did something happen to you? Did they get to you and I missed it?”

“Who?” I race to make the connection. “What would you have missed?”

“Honey, he’s rambling.” Mrs. Mayze softly swipes her palm over Callum’s eyes, closing them. “He should go back to sleep.”

“Yeah, of course.” I stand and when I do, my attention is pulled to the pill bottle on the table.

I recognize it because I’ve done them plenty of times. Painkillers.

I scan over the other medication for more clues as to why Callum is so sick but can only get the name of it. Doxycycline. Not knowing what that’s used for, I burn it into my memory.

I turn to the door. “Make sure he knows I love him.”

“I love you, too,” he mumbles. “You’ll be around, right? You won’t leave me, will you?”

I twist back. “Never. I’m always here for you. Always.”

His body relaxes and his breathing slows. He’s out of it again. I say goodbye, more concerned than before.

What the fuck is going on with him? I’m in a daze as I return to my car.

“Livianna!” John yells from their adjoining yards. “Do you have a second?”

“Sure.” My defenses go up.

Why would he want to talk to me?

He doesn’t want Callum and me together, and I know that from what his past actions have told me. John glances at Victoria’s house, advancing on me.

He stops a few feet from me. “Sorry to take your time.”

“No problem. Just tell me what you have to say so I can get on my way.”

“Yeah, um… I was wondering…” He bites down on his lip.“You and Cash were doing great. I mean, about staying clean. Did something change that night at Leon’s house?”

My stomach drops. “Are you asking if we…?”

John’s brows come together. “Did you two do any drugs that night?”