He disappears into the bathroom, and I hear the water running. I sit here in his bed, wearing his clothes, drinking his tea, and wonder what the hell is happening to me.
A few minutes later, he comes back. “Water's ready. Take your time. I'll be out here if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
I move carefully, my head still throbbing but manageable. I make it to the bathroom without falling over, which feels like a victory.
The tub is full, steam rising, and I sink into it with a sigh.
There's a soft knock on the door.
“I thought you weren't interrupting,” I call out.
The door opens a crack and Callum's voice comes through. “Only wanted to show you something.”
A sketchbook appears through the gap, followed by a set of pencils. Then Callum's face, carefully not looking at the tub.
“Not sure whose this is, but it's in the cabin. I think maybe my mom went through an art phase.”
He opens the sketchbook and I see it - a half-finished, terrible drawing of what I think are supposed to be mountains.
“Oh yeah,” he says, smiling. “She tends to start hobbies and quickly abandon them.”
We both laugh, and it feels good. Like we're just two people instead of this complicated mess we've become.
“I'll leave it out here if you want to use it,” he says.
“Thanks.”
He closes the door, and I'm alone again.
What the hell is happening? We had angry, passionate sex. Then he rescued me. Then he spilled his heart out. Told me to follow my dreams. Made me tea. Brought me art supplies while I’m naked in his bathtub.
I'm falling for him.
My best friend’s brother.
And I definitely, absolutely, cannot let that be true.
But as I sink deeper into the water, I know it's too late.
Everything has changed.
And there's no going back now.
6
CALLUM
Ican't sleep.
Piper’s in the bath, and I’m trying to give her space. I've been sitting on the couch, staring at the dying fire, replaying the moment she hit the ground. The sickening thud. The way her body went limp. The pure terror that shot through me when she didn't immediately get up.
I need to move, occupy myself.
The kitchen. I can make her something. She needs to eat, keep her strength up. And I know exactly what.
Cinnamon toast.
