Arlo
WhenIwakeupfrom my nap, I call Salem. It’s long overdue, but I wanted to wait until my voice was a little more back to normal. It’s still raspy and fucked up, but not so bad that it’ll worry Salem. Or at least, I hope not.
He answers on the third ring.
“Hello?’
“Hey, kid.”
There’s a sharp inhale and then a choked sort of whine. “Arlo. Thank fuck you’re okay.”
I should probably be fussing at him for his potty language, right? That’s, like, the responsible, adult thing to do? But honestly, I couldn’t give a fuck less.
“I’m okay. Are you?”
Jasper presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m gonna give you some privacy.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to.”
Fuck, he’s literally signing up to take all three of us into his life and his home. He bought thembeds.He enlisted Theo and Hunter’s help to set their rooms up. There’s no way I’d make him leave. Well, not unless Salem asked for it specifically.
“What?” Salem asks.
“Sorry. Was talking to Jasper.”
“I like him.”
Of course he does. Would it be possible to meet Jasper, even over the phone, andnotlike him? “He’s a good guy,” I say. “I like him too.”
Salem snorts. “Sure. Youlikehim. He told me he was gonna marry you.”
My eyebrows shoot up, and I glance at Jasper. “You told my baby brother you were gonna marry me?”
He nods, a rare pink dusting his cheeks. “I did. I also told you.”
I frown. “I don’t remember that.”
“He said you were pretty messed up on the meds they gave you,” Salem chimes in. “That’s probably why. You know Mom and Dad don’t remember shit when they’re high, either.” Yeah, that proves my exact point. “Not that you’re anything like them,” Salem rushes to assure me.
“I know, kid.” I blow out a breath. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
“Uh… I don’t know if you know this, but you almost died. S’not like you just flaked.”
My heart slams against my ribs. “I know, but still. I was so excited to finally see you.”
“Me too, but it’s all good. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“I am too, kid.” I sigh.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Jasper? You talked about him, but…”
That makes me laugh because until recently I wasn’t dating Jasper, but I’m not gonna tell my fifteen-year-old brother about my friend-with-benefits. Laughing is the wrong thing to do, though, and I inhale sharply, bringing a hand to my side and holding my ribs. “Fuck,” I breathe.
“What’s wrong?” Salem asks, alarm clear in his voice.
“Can’t be laughing with broken ribs is what’s wrong.”
“You have broken ribs? Jasper said you had burns and smoke inhalation.”
