Page 41 of The Fractured

“You stayin’ all weekend?” My finger remained in that loop, pinning her in place while I got lost in her eyes waiting for an answer.

Her arms came to rest on my shoulders as she tilted her head back in consideration, grazing her teeth briefly across her pink bottom lip in a way that jolted my pulse.

“I don’t think I have a choice now.” She rose to her toes to kiss me, simultaneously threading her fingers through the back of my hair.

A deep, involuntary hum vibrated through my throat in reaction to the way she lightly curled her fingers against my scalp. It was my weak spot when it came to her. And probably the fastest way to get me on my knees.

“Dean, I promise it’s nothing. I just freaked out a little. That’s all,” Lily said, sitting cross-legged on the end of my bed in her underwear and my gray hoodie. The sleeves were bunched at her elbows, and the whole thing swam on her. But it was the smallmark on her arm, hidden by one of the sleeves, that concerned me.

I spotted it in the shower. And sure, it was just a mark — the smallest cut tucked under her bicep surrounded by a small bruise to match, but it also looked intentional.

When I asked about it, Lily had brushed it off as nothing then too.

I crossed my arms and rested my hip against my dresser opposite the end of the bed.

Lily sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I had a panic attack today after speaking with my dad.”

I remained where I was but uncrossed my arms and slid my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants. As tempting as it was to cross the room, I knew she still had more to say. I knew I needed her to say more before other temptations got in the way.

“This,” she continued, referring to the mark under the hoodie’s sleeve, “was something I used to do in high school, whenever I got overwhelmed. I don’t know why I did it this time, but Ipromiseyou it is nothing to worry about. It was a weird one-off thing.”

I couldn’t help that I deadpanned. It’s not that I didn’t believe her. It was more that I wondered if she believed herself.

Her lips spread into a smile before she reached back for a pillow and lobbed it at my face.

I caught it in one hand and pushed off the dresser. A smile was already teasing its way onto my lips as I walked to the end of the bed. With her still sitting, the movement caused her head to tilt back to maintain eye contact.

“Stop worrying for five seconds and come to bed,” she said softly.

I shook my head and crouched down, bracing my elbows on the edge of the mattress before I took one of her hands.

“I know you were trying to help today by talking to your dad about my involvement with Antonio, and I appreciate it. I really do, but please, and I mean this in the best trying-not-to-be-a-controlling-douchebag way, don’t do it again. I don’t want you getting overwhelmed… Mom tried once with Antonio years ago. Tried to tell him off for what he got me involved in— It’s easier if I do some things on my own.”

Lily scoffed. “Dean.”

I brought the back of her hand to my lips and watched her from over her knuckles. “While seeing you get protective over me is hot and fucking adorable, I need you taking care ofyou.” My eyes briefly went to her side.

“Well, I can’tnottalk to my dad.”

“I’m not saying that. I mean, don’t get involved with the case.”

It was her turn to deadpan.

She took her hand back and pulled her sleeves down, bristling slightly. “You know, he seems to think the same thing. And then he told me to relay a message despite not wanting me involved…”

“Lily.”

“He wants to meet with you on Tuesday at his office.” She withdrew and scooted off the bed, brushing past me.

I stood, sighing. “Did he say what for?”

“Nope.” In one swift movement, she whipped her hair up into a messy bun, pulled back the covers, and climbed into bed.

I’m a douchebag.

“Lily, I didn’t mean—”

“Speaking of your mother,” she cut in matter-of-factly, “how come you haven’t warned her about the whole deportation thing yet? Or is that another thing we shouldn’t be involved in?” She pinned me with a sharpness in her eyes as she tucked herself in.