Page 150 of Traded

When I’m reassured that all of my body parts are accounted for, I manage to focus.

Lauren is asleep on the pillow beside mine, soft snores coming from her open mouth.

She’s a mouth breather.Ha.

I let myself sink back into my own pillow as I take stock. For about a minute.

Lauren’s eyes fly open as I’m trying to nudge her jaw up to close it. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Um.” My finger hovers. “Mouth breathing can cause tooth decay, you know. It’s really bad for you.”

She points at the peg on her nose, still eyeing me suspiciously. “I assume it’s safe to take this off now?”

I nod.

She tugs it free, and I wince at the deep red ridges embedded into her skin. “Shit. That looks painful.”

“I think they’re designed for chip packets, not noses.” She tosses it over her shoulder and rubs at the sore skin. “How are you feeling?”

Awkwardness seeps in. “Better.”

She nods. I take in the mound of blankets and sheets that bury her. Very messy, very chaotic, veryunlikethe omega who doesn’t meet my eyes. “Did I…make you come in here with me?”

She presses her lips together. “You seemed highly concerned about me being in the corner.”

Holy shit. I did. Howembarrassing.“Wow.”

“I was very flattered,” she adds. “If it helps.”

“It doesn’t.”

Kind of does. “I should clean up.”

“Already done. Although I think the drain in Carter’s shower is blocked with pink fuzz.” She rubs a hand over her eyes, stifling a yawn. “Everything’s in the wash. I had to use both machines to get everything in, though. Sorry.”

I can’t really be mad when I forced her inside my protective little heat bubble. “Thanks.”

She looks like she’s dozing off again, and I clear my throat. A single blue eye cracks open. The disapproving look makes me strongly suspect she’s the older sister in her family.

“Did I…” I fiddle with the seam on my pillow, avoiding her eyes. “Say much?”

“Not really.” Both of her eyes open fully. “A little.”

I wait for her to expand. “I tried to give you clothing. From the pack. And you… you didn’t react well.”

I have a vague memory of tearing into what might be Liam’s favorite sweatshirt. “Oh.”

We stare across the bed at each other.

I rub my hands over my face. “I need to speak to Carter. He’s probably worried.”

“I’ve been messaging him. I said you had a fever, but you’re doing better.” Lauren is watching me closely. “Why didn’t you call him when it started? I tried to find your phone, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.”

She picks over her words, choosing them carefully. “So I thought about it. We left first, but Jonas came down after us.”

My lips part, but nothing comes out.

“Did something happen?” Lauren studies my face intently. “Your phone isn’t in this apartment. Did he take it?”