Page 5 of Don't Leave Me Behind
This feels like a really bad idea.
“You comin’, Leni girl?”
I shiver at the way he saysLeni girl. As if no time has passed. Like we’re still the same, Leni and Clay. “Mhm,” I manage, before slipping into my side of the bed.
“Is this a terrible idea?” he whispers, before he flicks off the light on the nightstand.
“Probably.” There’s a reason we’ve avoided each other for the past decade. “Just get some sleep. We can reassess in the morning if we need to.”
“Sure,” his voice is already growing deeper, thick with sleep. “Whatever you want.”
My hand flies to my mouth as I choke back a tiny sob that’s threatening to escape. He said that to me that night, too. One minute, it was, “whatever you want,” and the next, my whole world flipped upside down. My heart races, and I know, despite Clay already finding sleep, I won’t be doing much of that lying next to him.
Maybe I should have picked the couch.
Chapter 3
Stupid Fucking Hat
Clay
For the secondtime in less than twelve hours, I’m jolted awake. My heart pounds almost as violently as whatever is beating on the door downstairs. A muffled yell follows, then a groan from the bed beside me. Leni’s curled into my side, her hair fanned out behind her. Looking down at her, I realize I didn’t wake up once from the time she lay next to me until now.
“Make it stop,” she grumbles, and it’s adorable.
While Ma Kane has enough attitude to keep all five of her boys in check, Eleanor is all sugar, with a sprinkle of spice. She’s about as threatening as a kitten, and I love that about her. Reaching back to my nightstand, I grab my phone, and jolt upright when I realize it’s nine o’clock.
Holy shit. I slept through three alarms and am two hours late for my shift. I’m usually the first one at the office.
“What is going on?” Leni sits up on the bed, wiping sleep from her eyes.
“I’m late for work, like,reallylate.”
“Clay.” Her eyes widen. “Who’s at the door?”
“Fuck,” I groan, stumbling down the stairs at the exactmoment someone is turning the lock. I manage to kick Leni’s purse and hot pink shoes behind the door before coming face to face with her eldest brother, Brooks. There aren’t many people who make me feel small, but at six-foot-four, Brooks is an inch taller and way more confident. His hair is dark like Leni’s, beard always trimmed and clean cut. I’ve looked up to him for half my life, for the way he always seems so sure, so put together.
“Hey?” he says it like a question. He glances behind me for signs of, I don’t know, struggle maybe?
“Hey, man, sorry. I was still sleeping.” Rubbing my hands over my eyes, he stands there and blinks at me. “I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Is he okay?” Mercer’s voice comes muffled through the phone in Brooks’s hand. Brooks jabs at the screen like its very existence offends him, and suddenly Mercer’s on speaker. “Hello? Brooks? Ah, hell, Patsy, I think they’re both goners.”
“I’m right here dickhead,” Brooks grumbles. He’s a man of few words and even less emotion. I’m honestly surprised he got all four words out before cutting himself off and scowling.
“Well?” Mercer chirps.
“I’m fine. Sorry, Merc. I didn’t sleep well last night and didn’t hear my alarms going off.”
“It’s fine, nothing going on right now. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Do you need the day off?”
“No.” My answer is a bit too forceful, causing Brooks’ eyebrow to arch at me in question.Fuck.I’m not trying to be suspicious, but the last thing I need right now is a full day off to spend with Leni. “Nah, man, I’ll come in. I need to finish that supplemental report for the State Police anyway.”
“Alright, see you soon then. Thanks, Brooks.”
Brooks grunts an acknowledgement and jabs his thumb at the red button to end the call. He cocks his head, studying me.Brooks doesn’t say much, but he’s good people, and no one cares more about his land or his family than Brooks Kane. I always figured he’d make a good father someday, if he ever took enough time away from the ranch to find someone.
“You good, brother?”
