She never spoke about this and had only once before voiced her belief that there was more to her mom’s death than a chest infection that couldn’t be treated. She’d never dared to speak about it again but maybe, just maybe, Kai would understand. And if he didn’t then a) she knew that he wouldn’t repeat her words and b) he’d be leaving soon and she wouldn’t have to face him.
“I read somewhere, ages ago, that there are people in Africa who believe they are about to die and then do.”
Kai nodded his agreement. “Shamans or witch doctors cast a spell, and the cursed person wills himself to death. It’s documented.”
Flick pulled her ring off her thumb and bounced it in her hand. “For weeks, months after Andy died, my Mom barely spoke, hardly ate. When she got a cold, she didn’t treat it. Then she got a chest infection and didn’t get help for that. Pneumonia followed and she refused to go to the doctor. My dad didn’t force her. When she couldn’t breathe, he finally called for an ambulance. I think she chose not to get better.”
“Okay. Why?”
“Andy had always been sick. I don’t remember a time when he wasn’t. Our lives were spent looking after him, making sure that he was comfortable, pain-free, and had company. My mom did most of the work, but I was her helper. When Andy died, I think she lost her purpose in life.”
Kai didn’t reply and Flick darted a look at his face, wondering if he was about to dismiss her speculations. But he just returned her look, judgment-free, and eventually, he lifted his shoulders. “I can’t say she did or didn’t but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. People do some crazy shit.”
People do some crazy shit.Five words of acceptance that made her want to throw her arms around him and hug him tight. He wasn’t agreeing with her but he wasn’t dismissing her either. It was both a benediction and a blessing. It was pure acceptance and she wanted to roll around in it.
“You’re looking weird, Sturgiss.”
Flick smiled. “I am weird, Manning,” she replied, some of her cockiness returning.
His finger traced her ankle bone, drifting up and under the hem of her jeans to stroke her leg. “So, to get back to the original subject, your aunt—”
“My mom’s twin, Gina.”
“—has asked you to keep a secret from Pippa, and that’s why you’re crying?”
Tears welled in her eyes again. “Essentially.”
“Screw that.”
Flick frowned when he picked her cell phone up off the desk and started to push buttons.
“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded as she jumped to her feet and tried to take the phone from his hand. Kai blocked her efforts by standing up and turning his back on her.
“Kai, give me back my phone!”
Kai held up his hand to tell her to simmer down and Flick slapped his shoulder in annoyance. Kai gave about as much reaction as he would if he were swatting a fly. “Hi, is that Mrs. Gina Sturgiss?”
“God, Kai, it’s late! She was probably asleep!” Flick hissed.
“Yeah, my name is Kai and I’m a friend of Flick’s.” There was a short silence and then he turned and rolled his eyes in her direction. “Yeah, I’m the one she spent an afternoon with.”
Flick lunged for the phone again and Kai just turned and snagged her around the waist with one arm. “So, the reason I’m calling you...yeah, this secret you’re asking Flick to keep is making her cry, and that, excuse the language, pisses me off. For some reason, she can’t tell Pippa but she needs to tell someone and I want her to tell me.”
Flick heard her aunt’s raised voice and pushed her hands against Kai’s arms to make him let her go. He just tightened his grip and waited for her aunt’s tirade to peter out. Hah! Kai didn’t understand—her aunt Gina would chew him up and spit him out and still have the energy for more.
After another minute Kai obviously realized the same thing because he broke into Gina’s tirade. “Actually, ma’am, I’m not asking your permission. I’m telling you that Flick is going to tell me what’s eating her up inside and then I’m going to help her find a solution. Are we clear about that?”
Squawk. Squawk. Double squawk. “Bye now,” Kai said and disconnected the call. He dropped his arm and shook his head. “Tough old bird.”
“You have no idea how much trouble you’ve just dumped me in.”
Kai showed no remorse. “You’ll deal. So, spill, Sturgiss.”
She could refuse to tell him. She could walk away right now, but he was right. This was eating her up and she needed help. Kai was offering and she knew he wouldn’t spend any time persuading her to tell him. She could choose to tell him or not. He definitely wouldn’t beg.
Flick reached for her car keys and picked up her cell.
“It’s easier to show you,” Flick replied.