A chill went through me at that voice, my every instinct shouting to wake up and get as far away from whoever it belonged to as I could.It was cold and quiet in a commanding way that caused my lungs to squeeze, trapping the air inside.Danger.I tried to open my eyes, to see who it was, but my lids were too heavy.My body refused to cooperate with my brain.
“Shh, shh,” a soft voice soothed.Gentle fingers stroked over my forehead and cheek, brushing my hair back from my face.Not Evie.I couldn’t sense my twin.But that voice and touch were calming, whereas the other caused me to try to curl into a ball, even semiconscious.An image of red hair and pretty blue eyes flashed behind my lids.Abi.“It’s okay.You’re safe.Sammy made her leave.It’s just me and Mila now.Don’t be afraid, Everly.”
I wanted to believe her, that I was safe, but it wasn’t me I was worried about.Evie might run into Rory, and if that woman made her cry, I was going to…
What?
Pay a hit man to kill her for me the same way I’d done to William?
Maybe.
“You had a panic attack on top of an allergic reaction.The doctors gave you high doses of intravenous antihistamines and a sedative.Rest now.We’re here to watch over you.”
Her voice was so comforting.I couldn’t remember the last time someone had taken care of me.Mom and Aunt Mildred sure as fuck hadn’t.Even though I’d been out in the world, experiencing all the things my sister was denied, I’d had no one I could rely on.I only had myself, and the increasing sense of urgency to get to my sister.I hadn’t been locked away like Evie, but life had been incredibly lonely without her.
Sleep pulled me under again, and this time, I didn’t fight it.
“I’m so sorry, Evy.”
Hearing Evie’s voice jerked me awake.I opened my eyes to find myself in a sterile room.The lights were dimmed, and I was only vaguely aware of everything.A few things stuck out, like the sticky pads on my body from the heart monitor and the IV that was attached to the back of my left hand.Mostly, the smell of antiseptic mixed with sweet peaches that followed my sister around.I was in what appeared to be a private room.
Evie’s warm fingers wrapped tightly around mine.With my brain still a little fuzzy, I needed a moment to focus on her, and then I realized she was crying.Huge tears spilled down her face, her nose was red and running, but she tried to give me a brave smile.“H-hey, you’re awake.”
“Who made you cry?”I demanded.My throat was dry, and my voice was hoarse.It sounded like I hadn’t spoken in years rather than hours.Or what felt like hours.Fuck, I hoped it was only hours.
How long had I been asleep?
For a flicker of a moment, I wondered if I’d missed my date with Reid, but I quickly pushed the thought away when my sister sniffled.That was not on my priority list.At least, it shouldn’t have been.That didn’t stop the disappointment.“I was just worried about you.How are you feeling?Any…discomfort?”
I assessed myself, waiting to experience the unholy itching and burning between my legs.I wasn’t exactly comfortable, but I wasn’t ready to claw my skin off either.Mostly, I felt swollen and a little sore.And one hundred percent still mortified.
Oh God, I’d met Reid’s mom while my vagina was on fire.Gotten into an altercation with his aunt.Discovered Ghost potentially lived in the same town I’d just moved my sister to.And then passed out.
This was high on the list of the worst days of my life.
“I’m fine.Now tell me what made you cry.”
She scrubbed a hand over her damp cheeks, and I realized she wasn’t wearing any makeup.Her hair was pulled into a messy knot on top of her head with strands falling from every angle.She wore a T-shirt that was like a tent on her slender frame and a pair of old yoga pants that were mine.Definitely not the outfit I’d left on our bed for her so she could match me.
That caused a pang in my heart.Evie wasn’t twinning with me for the first time since she’d gained her freedom, which was another good sign that she was getting better mentally.But I needed that connection to her just as badly as she did.
I should have been celebrating.This was a huge victory in her recovery.But it hurt to see her not mirroring me.
She closed her eyes and swallowed hard once, twice.Blowing out a breath, she lifted her lashes.“Can you stop worrying about me for two minutes and focus on yourself?Please, Evy.We are two separate people.You matter too, damn it!”
Surprised by the way her voice rose, I could only stare at her for a long moment.“I-I know we are separate people.”
Her chin wobbled.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to raise my voice.It’s just that you spend so much time worrying about me that you forget about yourself.You are the most important person in the world to me.If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I would be alive right now.”Her tears flowed faster as she shook her head.“No.I know I wouldn’t be alive.You saved me when nothing else could.Without you, there is no me.”
“Evie—”
“I see it, Evy.You try to hide it to protect me, but I can see how broken you are.All of this—the move, the school, even the job—you did it all to help me heal.But not once have you done anything to help yourself.And now look what happened!You had a panic attack so bad that you passed out.”
“I’m okay,” I whispered, sinking back into the bed a little.
Her face darkened.“I won’t break if you admit that you’re not okay.What will destroy me is if I lose you.”
Tears clogged my throat.“As long as I have you, nothing else matters.”
