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Frankie threw up her hands. “You asked.”
“Well, that’s okay. As long as he’s hot, what does it matter if he’s a stone-cold killer?” Reece pushed his glasses up his nose and shot me a wry look. “Sounds like a classic womanizer—only capable of superficial relationships because he’s seeking the love he never got from a parent. I doubt he has the skills necessary for true emotional intimacy.”
I rolled my eyes. There was nothing worse than when Reece went into psychologist mode. “No one normal talks like this. It’s weird.”
A glint of humor flashed in Reece’s eyes. “I’ve never claimed to be normal.”
“Are you saying the man just needs to be loved?” Frankie’s hand shot in the air. “I volunteer as tribute.”
A small smile quirked Mum’s mouth. “Me too.”
“Mum!” Frankie threw her head back and let out a great peal of laughter. “I didn’t know you had it in you. Is it because I mentioned the BDE?”
Mum clucked her tongue, but teasing laughter lit her tired eyes.
I adjusted her pillow and smoothed her hair. “You should rest now, Mum.”
Frankie always got everyone all riled up. Her laughter was infectious. Mum offered me a faint smile and closed her eyes. Rhythmic beeps and the chatter from the nurse’s station drifted into the silence. I scrolled my phone, checking out the fixtures for this month. We had a couple of away games but not too many. I’d still have plenty of time to be at the hospital.
A soft snore drifted from the bed and we all stilled to watch Mum sleep. The bruises on her cheek still hadn’t faded. Dark circles haunted her eyes. She looked so different asleep. So … ill. She’d always been fierce and in control. She’d spent a lifetime working as a psychotherapist; nothing shocked or fazed her. It was awful to see her so poorly.
I looked up to find my brother watching me. His dark, feeling eyes held too much compassion. You couldn’t even have a normal conversation with Reece without him analyzing every word you said or didn’t say. God knows how we’d all live back together in Mum’s house when she came home. They’d drive me mad.
Reece smiled tentatively. “Have you been getting any sleep?”
“Yes,” I lied.
“Are you eating?”
As if on cue my stomach growled. “I’m fine.”
“You look exhausted. Breakups can be tough, Miri. You were together for a long time. Can you take a break from training?”
“The team needs me.”
“They need you to be well.”
I shook my head. Football kept me going. Reece didn’t get that.
I smoothed Mum’s blanket and rubbed the crick in my neck. “Let’s get Mum home. Then everything will be fine.”
Reece nodded, but he didn’t look convinced.
I picked up a medical chart from the end of the bed and rifled through it as if I’d have any idea of what any of it meant. There was still so much to plan for Mum to come home. “The hospital is delivering the hoist and the bed with rails tomorrow, but I need to sort out the wheelchair. The builders are coming to do the ramps. The carers need to confirm their schedule, but we’re on track.”
My stomach dropped. This was all adding up, and that was without the carers’ fees.
Reece pushed his glasses up his nose. “If you need more money then—”
“I don’t. I’m handling it.”
His eyes were gentle and contemplative. “I don’t want you to have to do this alone.”
My stomach churned. I hadn’t been honest with Reece about how much of a strain this was financially. Reece’s money was all tied up in his fancy house. He was trying to sell it since we were moving back home anyway, but until he did, he couldn’t help. Besides, as the oldest, it was my job to keep everything together. Somehow, I’d have to figure out the money. I was in too deep now to drag anyone else down with me.
I offered my siblings the most reassuring smile I could manage. “Don’t worry. I’m handling it.”
Chapter 3
