Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Yes, I’ll take you.” I feel about two inches tall, though. It’s not easy when somebody makes you feel like even the things you do from the deepest part of your heart are all wrong. It’s a feeling that weighs on me throughout the ride back to campus, which at least doesn’t take long. It already feels like forever, but that’s probably because Emma’s anger makes it tough to breathe. I don’t want to look at her. I don’t want to talk to her. I know I’m going to say the wrong thing and make everything worse.
Is this what it’s like to care about somebody? To actually give a shit about not saying anything that could do permanent damage?
All I know for sure is I’m not about to let her drive home without confirming she got there safely. Once she’s in her car, I pull out of my spot and wait for her to do the same. Our eyes meet through our windshields—she is pissed, but whatever.
“What the fuck are we supposed to do about her?” Easton asks once she pulls out, and we start to follow her.
“Fuck, if I know.”
“I wasn’t trying to be insulting.”
“I know,” I tell him, even if he was a little obvious about it. “And you can never tell what she’s going to take as an insult.”
I see him looking at me from the corner of my eye before he mutters, “But here we are, making sure she gets home safe, because for some reason it feels like it’s worth it.”
“Pretty much.” Neither of us does any talking after that, following close behind Emma’s car and only leaving her street once she’s in the house without ever looking back at us.
For some reason, it feels worth it. I just wish I knew whether she feels the same way.
25
EMMA
Walking into the hospital feels even more dreadful than usual. I drag my feet into the elevator, wishing I would have handled yesterday differently. Yes, they overstepped as always, but after thinking it over more, I realize the guys just wanted to help out, and I most definitely overreacted.
Now I’m going to have to pay the price by sitting on my own today. There is no way the twins are going to come and sit with me after the way I acted yesterday. I can’t believe how sad that makes me. I never even admitted to myself how much I hate going through this on my own.
With a heavy heart, I drag my feet through the long corridor toward the large double doors leading into the treatment room. A nurse passes me, greeting me with a smile. I can’t even force my lips up a little. My mood is dark and gloomy as I push open the heavy door.
I glance up and freeze. Right there to the left and right of my usual chair, Easton and Preston are waiting for me. For a moment, I just stand there in shock. I can’t believe they actually showed up. Preston catches sight of me first, Easton a second later. They both stare at me like they are wondering why I’m not moving.
Sucking in a deep breath, I compose myself and walk over to them. “I didn’t think you would show,” I admit ruefully when I climb into my treatment chair.
“And leave you here all by yourself?” Preston waves me off like nothing happened. “We can’t let you get that bored.”
“Someone has to keep an eye on you,” Eason adds with a wink.
I settle in my chair just as one of the nurses comes and hooks me up to the IV. The twins are quiet as the nurse works, but as soon as she leaves, I take the quiet time to say what’s on my mind. “I’m sorry about overreacting yesterday. I should have handled the situation differently.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Easton tries to brush it off. “We overstepped, it’s none of our business…” I sense there is a but coming, but Easton decides to keep it to himself.
“Anyway… thanks for coming to sit with me,” I say awkwardly, because admitting this still feels odd. I shouldn’t like having them here so much, but dammit, I do. I was so relieved when I saw them waiting for me.
What a one-eighty my feelings toward them have made.
“Are you admitting that you like having us here?” Preston asks with a smirk.
I roll my eyes at him, but end up admitting to it still. “Yes, I like having someone keeping me company while I have to sit here.”
“And you want that company to be us?” Easton presses on, looking over at me with a boyish grin.
“Yes, I want that to be you two idiots.” I giggle.
Preston fakes an offended gasp. “Stop it with the name calling, pearls.”
“He says as he calls me a name.”
“Endearment,” he corrects me.