Page 43 of Tempting Fire

“I’ve nailed it, haven’t I?”

Chloe started walking past everyone to put the bowl out on the patio for Slayer when Evie stepped in front of her. Some of the water spilled on the tile floor.

“Look what you made me do!” Chloe cried out.

“Talk to me.”

“No.” She just needed to keep it together for a few more minutes, then Evie would be gone.

“Zoe told me what you said to her. If you feel that way about her, you have to hate me ten times worse.”

The bowl trembled, more water spilled.

“Evie, don’t do this. It’s better we don’t talk. Just leave it,” Chloe said hoarsely.

“We are not going to shove this under the carpet,” Evie said fiercely. “If it hadn’t been for me, you would never have been held hostage. Don’t you ever think of that? I do.” Evie was shaking. “I should have been able to figure out a way to keep you from getting hurt.” Chloe watched helplessly as tears ran down Evie’s face.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is.”

“It’s not,” Chloe insisted. “But―”

“But you hate me anyway,” Evie said tiredly.

“I’ve hated you so much,” Chloe whispered in horror. She gulped a sob. Her eyes flashed. “I’ve been so mad! I’ve been mad at you, and then I’ve been mad at me for being mad at you. I’ve been so messed up.”

More water spilled.

Evie opened up her arms. “Come here baby. Let me give you a hug.”

Evie dropped the bowl on the floor, uncaring that the water spilled all over the tile. She launched herself into her older sister’s arms.

“I’m so sorry for being mad,” Chloe sobbed.

“Shhhh. It’s all good.”

“But Evie.”

“Chloe, do you honestly think I care if you’ve been mad at me? Or if you thought you hated me?” She stroked back Chloe’s hair and touched the scar on her forehead. “The only thing that has mattered to me is you, and your well-being. It’s been ripping my guts out that you’ve been so sick.”

“I’m getting better. I’ve actually been seeing a shrink,” Chloe admitted.

“Are you happy about that?”

“I’m pissed that he has me taking a pill every day. I’m even more pissed that I think it’s helping.”

Evie laughed, then Chloe started laughing too.

“I’ve missed you Chloe. I haven’t been able to eat a cheeseburger since you stopped talking to me. I’ve only eaten hamburgers. What’s the point of having a hamburger without cheese?”

She looked at her smart-ass sister and grinned. She felt like a three hundred pound weight had been lifted off her chest.

“Cheese is life,” Chloe responded.

“Dude, are you going to get that?”

She turned to see what Drake was talking about, and realized that Zarek was looking at his buzzing phone. Seeing the strained look on his face, she realized something was wrong.