Strings of Fate

62- Nightmares and numbness

Darrien looks so lost. I start laughing. Megan and Bellamy give near identical smirks.

make a

“My brother stole it to nest for Ry in his office. Apparently he needs supervision while he works now. Although I’m not sure why he bothered because she wasn’t sitting on the recliner when I found them.” Her tone is suggestive and makes the whole thing sound a lot worse than it was. Still, I can’t help the blush that burns across my face. Seriously, I need to find a way to stop that.

“I can go grab it.” Bellamy moves to stand but Darrien waves him back.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m fine here.” He drops to the floor and settles in place resting his back against the edge of Megan’s recliner. Not touching her, but definitely more of a casual placement than he would normally choose. Megan’s gaze darts to mine and I try to arrange my face in a way that appears encouraging. Bellamy settles back in beside me. He checks his phone.

“Food should arrive in about twenty minutes.” He informs us cheerfully. He subtly slides a little closer to me on the couch. Or maybe he’s not so subtle. Megan gives him a look of absolute disgust.

“Who are you and what have you done with my moody, grouchy brother? Ry, whatever drug you’re giving him you might want to reduce the dose. People are going to think he’s been body snatched.” She jokes.

“More like they’ll assume he’s getting some.” Darrien remarked quietly. I’m not even sure he even intended to say the words aloud because he actually looks a little alarmed at his own. comment. I glare at him while Megan nudges him with her knee and gives him a high–five. I turn to Bellamy intending to complain or suggest he retaliates in some way. Instead he gives. a bland expression and in a deadpan tone responds to the room.

“I should be so lucky.” Then he turns and winks at me. I slap his arm lightly and cover my face to hide my embarrassment as Megan and Darrien laugh.

“Bellamy!” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me against him. I turn and hide

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in his chest. Seriously, how much embarrassment

His tone is sincere. I risk a peek up at his face and he’s smiling at me. I suppose it is nice that he’s enjoying himself. Particularly since I want to

honest with.

definitely didn’t sleep enough. I’m about to ask if someone can drive me home when Megan flashes a look of desperation. I only see it for a moment before she

tomorrow afternoon.” I immediately

out a deep sigh and drops his

shoulder.

ask, a

up to me you would stay here every night. I was just thinking that with you in my sister’s room I’m going to have to sleep alone tonight. I was planning to drive you home and see if I

me here every night? He has got to be exaggerating right? This is still all new. Doesn’t he want

walks back in and

you Ry. I might

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62- Nightmares and numbness

wrong.” He remarks. I stand up to follow Megan upstairs but he grabs me by

starts gathering the takeout containers and I help him. We dump it all in the kitchen bin then he grabs my hand and we both head up the stairs. We

morning.” I smile at him and nod before stepping into Megan’s room. He’s still standing there watching me as

warm blankets. I am just on the edge of sleep when I hear Megan whimper quietly. I turn to face her. In the dim light of the television I can see that she is asleep but her eyebrows are furrowed and she has a frown on her face. She whimpers again

tears. Alarmed, I sit up and pull her into a hug. She collapses into my lap and buries her face against my stomach wrapping her arms around herself. I stroke her hair as she cries. This is

sorry. I thought I could hold it together and when I’m awake I can hide it, shove it all into the back of my

I can’t stop seeing the look on his face, I can feel his blood running through my fingers. I, I had to scrub my nails to get the blood out from underneath them, you know? It dried under them. It know I shouldn’t feel bad, he was going