Page 50 of Saving His Heart

“You must be Eli?”

“Yes,” she replies with a grin, “and you’re Preston.”

“Nice to meet you.” Glancing around the room, I notice they are a sister short.

“Where’s Emory?” I ask, hating the uncertainty that settles in my gut.

“If you will hush up, we’ll tell you,” Tilly says mischievously. She is reminding me of Julia, and that is scary as hell.

“Fine,” I whisper. “Where is she?”

“Next door, probably wearing a hole in the carpet with her pacing. I haven’t seen her this pissed off since Tilly didn’t come home right after school in sixth grade.”

Rubbing a hand over my face, I know I’m in a lot of trouble. “Listen, I know what I did was high-handed, but things had gone too far. How’s your arm?”

“Oh, it’s fine. Ems cleaned it all out.”

“Okay, did you ladies need something? Or should I go face the music now?”

“Why do you think we have been sitting on that door for the last hour? We’re here to help you,” Eli says with the same devilish grin as her sister.

“Help me with what?”

“Emory,” they say in unison, handing me a bag of Twizzlers and a container of chocolate milk.

“What are these for?”

“A peace offering. You’re going to need it, and we want you to win her over. I’ve never seen anyone take care of Emory like that or handle her that way. I think you could be good for her, so whatever happens tonight, just know, it’s for her own good.” The way Tilly says it tells me they have something up their sleeve, but I am too worn out to dig.

Checking out the room for the first time, I look around in confusion. “Why are there two twin beds in here?”

“Oh, that’s how most of the rooms are here at the Crossing. Emory made sure you had a queen bed, though, since you obviously won’t fit in a twin,” Eli informs me.

I’m irritated now and tired. It isn’t a good combo. “How the hell are the three of you going to fit in two twin beds? No one can go back into that house until I’ve had it cleaned, inspected, and whatever the hell else it needs.”

The girls exchange an unreadable look before Tilly finally speaks. “The house is fine. I would be careful how much you push Emory tonight, though.”

“We have slept through worse, don’t worry. We have it all figured out,” Eli adds while ushering me toward the door.

Chapter 20

Emory

Hearing the click of the lock, I whirl around to the door. I’m so mad I could spit.How dare that jerk-off pull that shit with me?Pretend relationship aside, it was wrong on every level. That is my father, my sisters, my mess. I have handled and taken care of them since I was in diapers. How dare he come in and take over like I’m not capable?

I clench my hands at my sides, and my nails dig into my palms. I’m so angry the pain of the nails breaking skin doesn’t even register. The old door creaks open, and instead of Preston, I see two hands, one holding a bag of Twizzlers, the other a container of chocolate milk.

“Those traitors,” I bite out, but all fight leaves my body when I finally get a look at Preston. “Shit.” I scramble to get to him as he staggers into the room, and I swallow a lump in my throat. This isn’t a good sign for his health. “Come on, you need to lie down.” Corralling him in the small room makes his vast size that much more noticeable.

Satisfied he is safely on the bed, I get his meds while he unbuttons his shirt. It’s a comfortable routine we have fallen into over the last year. Leaning into him, I attempt to start the IV, but he holds me off.

“Let me see your head, Ems.”

Annoyed, I raise my eyes to look at him. “Preston, I’m fine. We need to get this IV in you.”

“After you show me your head,” he says stubbornly. “I have to know if your uncle needs to send someone over to look at you.”

I huff out indignity but am overcome with a warm sensation filling my chest.