“It was so scary,” Andy admitted, and his eyes welled up. “I couldn’t breathe.”
“I know, dude. And I promise we’ll do better.” He released Andy and then followed the boy’s gaze to his sister, who was staring at the floor.
Will moved back to her and crouched at her feet again. Although she steadfastly avoided his gaze, he could see the glistening in her eyes that said she was barely holding it together.
As scared as Andy had been, he couldn’t imagine what Aly had gone through. She’d watched helplessly as her brother struggled to breathe. He reached out, and limply, she took his hand. He stood, pulling her to her feet and taking her in his arms.
“I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat and quickly stepped away. “I need some water.”
She left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
“Don’t be mad at her. She was really good. She helped me breathe.” Andy croaked out the words and coughed.
“I’m not mad.” He turned toward where Andy lay in the big hospital bed, looking much younger than his eleven years. “Why would you think that?”
Andy just shrugged his little shoulder and coughed a few more times but didn’t respond.
Did Aly think he was mad?
He should talk to her. He desperately wanted to follow her, but he couldn’t leave Andy alone. He’d have to trust that she just needed a minute and that she would come to him if she needed him.
CHAPTER24
She leaned on the doorframe,watching Andy’s chest rise and fall where he slept in the bottom bunk. He’d been released from the hospital that afternoon after an overnight stay, and the doctors all said he was doing great. They’d been instructed to administer Benadryl for about a week, just to make sure he didn’t have a flare-up, but otherwise, he was fine.
Strong arms wrapped around her middle, and the scruff of Will’s beard brushed against her shoulder as he nuzzled her neck.
“You okay?”
The hot skin of his shirtless chest burned through her tank top.
“I wanted to check on him.”
“Al, it’s two a.m. He’s good. Come back to bed.” He pressed his lips against her neck.
She almost shivered in response, but she fought the feeling, refusing to let herself feel good. Not when her brother hadn’t even been out of the hospital for twelve hours.
“I’m worried about you. You didn’t sleep last night, and you’re up again now. You need the rest.”
“I’m fine.” The response was automatic.
“It’s not fair to blame yourself.”
But Will himself had said it was the adult’s responsibility. He made sure she knew he meant that not educating Andy well enough and lack of planning were to blame for the incident. “We both need to make sure he’s more careful and aware. That’s why I wanted us to set up rules and plans today.”
Willhad spent the day setting that up. Aly couldn’t even think about it happening again or how they’d handle it. He was so much better at this stuff. He’d put plans in place for next time, but what if next time it was something else? Something Will hadn’t had a chance to plan for?
“Tell me you know it’s not your fault, baby,” he whispered in her ear.
“I know it’s not all my fault,” she answered, knowing he was the one completely free of blame.
“He’s fine, so let’s go back to bed. You know, you’re my calm in chaos.” The whisper danced off her ear. “Let me be yours. Let me take away those running thoughts. Let me love you.” He pulled lightly on her, and she gave in to him, following him back to their room.
As his hands moved over her body, swamping her with desire, she relaxed, leaning into his touch as his lips skated across her skin…
Torturing…
Cherishing…