“Go away, asshole.”
“Not going to happen, Kat. We need to talk.”
“I’m asleep.”
“Yeah, no.”
The covers are ripped away from my body and I snarl at him. “I hate you.”
“Tell it to somebody who cares, little sis. You and me. Kitchen, now.”
“No.”
“Kat.” He exhales an exasperated breath. “We can do this the easy way… or we can do this the hard way. But we are doing this.”
“Why? Why do you even care?”
Disappointment washes over him, quickly morphing to hurt. “Kat, come on, that isn’t fair. I love you, you stupid idiot. And I’m worried. We all are.”
“Could have fooled me.” I lean down and snatch up the covers again, rolling away from him so he can’t see the moisture gathering in my eyes.
He’d been here when I got home last night, waiting for me. Ready to ambush me more like it. But I’d refused to talk to him.
Refused to talk to anyone.
What did they want me to say?
That I stayed out all day because I can’t stand seeing Mom sick? That the thought of losing her terrifies me to the point I’m paralyzed?
And then after what happened with Ryder…
Talking to anyone had been the furthest thing from my mind.
“Kat.” My bed dips and Diesel’s inked arm slides over my waist. “Talk to me, please.”
“I— I can’t.”
“You can. I’m your brother, your family… I got you.”
“You used to. But everything’s different now.”
He goes still behind me. “This is about River?”
“Yes… no… not really.”
“I thought you two were tight?”
“She’s my best friend.” My best friend whom I’ve barely talked to these last few weeks. But she’s been busy with the guys and I’ve been busy…
Guilt floods me.
I’m making this all about me when really it’s about Mom. About what’ll happen to our family when she…
I can’t even bring myself to say the words. To even think it.
She’s my mom, and watching her deteriorate is soul destroying.
“How is she?” I ask softly.