Page 95 of The Destruction You Desire

"No, problem, darlin'."

I thank him and climb from the car, sighing in relief when I look at Aunt Fee's house. It might not be my real home, but it's as close as I've got right now and I can't wait to get inside and be surrounded by those I love.

The second I step into the kitchen and look into Aunt Fee's kind eyes, I burst into tears. The stress and exhaustion of the past two weeks suddenly is too much to deal with.

"Oh sweetie, come here," she says, wrapping me in a bear hug and holding me tight.

We stand there for the longest time, just holding each other, using each other's strength to stay upright.

"Can I do anything? Do you need anything?" she whispers.

"I need to see K, and then I need to sleep."

"Okay, I'll make you a hot chocolate to take with you."

"Thank you, Aunt Fee. For everything."

"You're more than welcome, sweetheart."

I suck in a ragged breath before slipping down to Kayden's room and quietly letting him know that I'm home. I want to see him desperately, but I also don't want to wake him.

I sit on the edge of his bed for the longest time watching him sleep and praying that Libby can get through this and become the mom she deserves to be.

21

Peyton

The house is in silence when I finally wake the next morning, the only thing I can hear is the birdsong in the trees outside my window and just for a few minutes, I pull the sheets up a little higher and sink back into the pillow.

Knowing that I've got too much to do, and too many people relying on me to laze in bed all day, I eventually throw the sheets back and grab my cell from the nightstand that's beside the hot chocolate I was too tired to even sip last night.

AuntFee: Kayden is at kindergarten today and I'm going to sit with Libby. Have a rest, do something for yourself for a few hours.

I lower my cell to the bed, feeling a little lost that someone else has organized everything. The past two weeks everything with Libby has fallen on my shoulders and I can't deny that sharing the load a little feels incredible.

Knowing she's right and that I do need to do something that doesn't involve hospitals, I lift my cell once more and hit call the second I find the contact I want.

"Welcome home. I wanted to call yesterday but I thoug—"

"Thank you. It's nice to be back. Do you have classes this morning?"

"I guess that all depends on what you're about to ask me."

I can't help but smile at her response and loyalty.

"I need to do something," I admit.

"Okay, something like…"

My reflection in the mirror on the wall opposite catches my eye and I wince at the state of me.

"I need to get my hair done," I blurt.

"Okay, we can do that. Let me call Ella, we'll set something up and come get you."

"Are you sure? I don't want you missing classes because of me."

"More than sure. Get dressed, we won't be long. I'll message when we're on our way."