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“Baby girl, don’t make light of what happened. You were in a car accident and now you need some care. That’s what we’re here for, but you need to be honest with us. Got me?”
“I’ve got you.” She turned to Grady. “I’m confused, though. I thought I had to work there six months before it kicked in.”
“No.”
She eyed Grady suspiciously. The guy looked innocent, like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. But she was onto him.
He was a sneaky sneaky-sneak.
“Effie, everything.” Steele gave her a stern look.
Why fight them? She couldn’t afford to pay this hospital bill. It would send her further down the rabbit hole when she was only now in the black.
“And you will not be leaving school,” Grady told Brooks. He’d obviously heard what he’d said to her before. “You’re smart and you’re going places. To do that, you need schooling.”
To her surprise, tears filled her eyes. She’d never had anyone backing her up, supporting her, cheering her on for a long time. Not since Joe died. It meant so much that these guys were here for her like that.
Steele brushed her hair off her face, giving her another kiss on the forehead. That was pretty chaste for him. But maybe it was because Brooks was here.
Or perhaps it’s because you’re so fucked in the head that you think you’re paralysed.
And they don’t want you anymore.
Fuck. Fuck. Shit.
She tried to focus on the conversation rather than going into her brain. Looking around, she noticed Grady watching her intently.
Crap.
“Effie needs my help,” Brooks insisted.
“Yep, she does,” Steele agreed. “She needs to know that you’re good. That you’re going to school, keeping up your grades, and staying out of trouble. That’s what she needs from you.”
“But who is going to look after her while I’m at school? She can’t walk.”
“Simple,” Steele replied. “We are.”
49
“Istill don’t think this is necessary.” Or a good idea.
They couldn’t possibly want her to stay here with them.
Not when she was completely fucked up.
It was the day after the accident. She’d spent the night in the hospital having additional tests. Betsy and Ink had come to pick up Brooks so he could stay the night with them. Betsy was utterly beautiful. Graceful. Elegant. Kind.
While Ink looked like a tattooed surfer. Slightly scary, although he’d been nothing but kind to her and Brooks.
Today, Raul would pick him up after school and he’d come back here.
To Steele and Grady’s house.
Steele was currently carrying her into the house and up the stairs. He walked into his bedroom with her.
Wait. She was staying in his room?
“You’d rather we all move into your apartment?” Steele asked gruffly as Grady walked in behind them. “Tight squeeze, baby. And doesn’t really make much sense.”
