Page 78 of Quiver

Kylie settled the tray across Fletcher’s lap. “There’s also apple juice and those pills you find offensive.”

“They can stay.” Fletcher glanced up, noticing the dark circles under her eyes again and the slight slump of her shoulders. “Did you check on the horses?”

“They’re fed, and everything in the barn is taken care of for the night.”

“Then you can stay, too.”

Kylie arched an eyebrow.

“I feel fuzzy. Why don’t you talk to me a bit while I eat?”

“Sure.” She glanced around the room as if looking for a place to settle in. “Let me go grab a chair. My feet are killing me.”

Fletcher patted the side of the bed. “You’re fine here. Kick them up for a bit.”

Kylie hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t need those pills? Maybe the pain affected your judgment, or personality?”

She laughed as much as her abs would allow. “No, I’m thinking clearly, and I’ve decided that not even you would be predatory enough to pounce on me in my current condition.”

“Oh gee, thanks.” Kylie rolled her eyes but eased onto the bed gently. “Glad to know I’m not a threat to the already wounded.”

“And you brought soup.” She spooned a little bit into her mouth and savored it before swallowing. “There’s another point in your favor. What else can you tell me?”

“Your phone has been pinging and buzzing all day. Seems like you’re pretty popular. A lot of people are checking in.”

“I suppose that’s nice, but I’m not much for phone talking.”

“And now you have a good excuse not to, or at least you would if you took those pills that make you sleepy.”

“Nice try. What else?”

“My mom ran over some clothes for me, and she brought a pie you can have once you work your way back up to solid foods if I don’t eat it all first.”

“I suppose that’s a fair price for all you’re doing around here.”

“It’s not much. Ava and Bex cleaned up the arena, and Ava stopped by again while you were sleeping.” She slipped it in like it didn’t matter any more than the rest of the small talk, but the tension radiated from the set of her shoulders so close to Fletcher’s.

“Oh?”

“Before you ask, yes, I was as nice as I could manage.”

“Maybe you’re using the same sort of guardrails with her as you are with me, a forced truce until we’re all healed and ready to ring the boxing bell again.”

“Maybe. We do seem to be nicer all around when one of us is injured.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that before. Can’t say I’m sad to see it goes both ways, but this was a hell of a way to test your theory.”

“I agree, and while I generally love being told I’m right about something, I don’t relish the idea that one of us must be bleeding or actively breaking down in order to force civility.”

“Yeah, plus if I’m bleeding, you’re nicer to Ava.”

“I was actually being nicer to her before you got hurt, but you had your head too far up your own ass to notice.” Kylie laughed a little. “That didn’t sound convincing, did it? God, those patterns run deep.”

Fletcher took another sip of her soup and waited to see where the more pensive impulse might lead.

“I don’t hate her as a person. She’s a bit doe-eyed and earnest for my taste, but it’s genuine enough, and she does have more of a backbone than I initially thought. I’m sorry for how I treated her since I … well, since always.”

“I think it’s probably her you should say that to, but I got the sense it wasn’t even really about her so much as some weird transference toward me.”