Page 114 of Brutal Little Secrets

She gives me a soft smile, and my heart beats a little faster. “I meant what I said.”

Those words. Fuck. I could spend a lifetime and not be good enough for this girl, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let her go.

“Good, because no take backs.” I wink and brush my lips against hers.

She releases a sigh and turns to look at the doors. “Do you think they’ll let us back there?”

“When she’s ready.”

EvanAnn

It was almost thirty minutes after they took Keira in that they let me know she wanted to see me. Cam gave me a kiss and said he’d be out here waiting. While we waited, he told me about some of his family vacations as a kid.

Places I only dreamed of going, they went to on a whim.

I follow the nurse back, and she opens the door for me. When I close in on the bed, Keira looks as pale as the sheets behind her. I round the bed and take her hand. It’s so cold. I rub it between my own.

She opens her eyes and smiles groggily when she sees me. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Tears press on my eyes, but I blink them back. She was in that room because of me. Because Olivia thought Damon wanted someone just like me.

“Could you…?” She waves her other hand toward the cup with a straw in it.

I reach for it and hold it in front of her, guiding the straw to her lips. She drinks a little and then pushes it away.

“What happened?” Her eyes search mine for the answers.

I sit on the edge of the bed and tell her about the spiked drink. How Olivia brought her into the room, and how I was right there. I even tell her about me slapping Olivia.

Keira laughs, but her throat is still sore from her stomach being pumped. “I wish I could have seen that.”

“I think we have it on video.” Smiling, I squeeze her hand. “Where are your parents?”

I glance over my shoulder toward the door. Someone should have been notified she’s here.

“Mom’s at work. Dad’s usually asleep around now.” Keira looks down at her lap. “I wasn’t supposed to go out tonight, but…”

“I get it.” It’s hard to feel like you’re not part of the school. To be on the outside looking in. I thought not going to the parties wasn’t a big deal, but so much of our social lives happens there. “Did they call?”

She nods. “Dad should be here soon. Mom can’t leave work.”

“I’ll stay with you until they get here if you want.”

Her eyes brighten as they meet mine. “That would be nice, but if you need to go?—”

“I don’t. This is where I need to be right now.” My chest feels warm. “Cam’s out in the waiting room, but he’ll stay as long as I need him to.”

She smiles. “Those boys must be gone on you.”

“I like them too,” I admit.

We talk about classes and some movies while we wait. Nurses come in and check her vitals every now and then.

“Will you get in trouble?” I ask. “For going to the party?”

Keira shrugs and looks away. “Not so much trouble. But Dad needs his sleep. He works first shift and Mom works third. They want to be home for my younger sister in the evenings. She’s twelve.”

“Is she trying to get into Anteros too?”