It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Tobias with the truth. But he’d obviously shown up in Moss Harbor, ready and waiting to dislike the Sharpe brothers. And I didn’t need to give him any more ammunition against them. Not if we were going to survive the next few days without a brawl.
“What happened?” Tobias asked as soon as he caught sight of my bandaged hands and knees.
I laughed, hoping it sounded genuine. “Crutches are not my friend.” That much was true.
“Shit, Thea. Maybe you should invest in a wheelchair.”
“That’s what she has me for,” Leo said as he lifted me into his arms and started walking toward the house.
Between him and Tristin, I was getting used to being hauled around. And I wasn’t exactly complaining. I liked being tucked against their broad chests, and I was pretty sure they liked it too.
Leo paused inside the entryway. “Couch?”
“Yes, please.”
Without having to ask, he gently deposited me on the end with the chaise. During the one day I’d been in the hospital, the brothers had managed to replace the previous couch with this one. I didn’t know whose idea it was, but it had been a damn good one. The chaise portion allowed me to easily stretch out and find a comfortable position, even with my cast.
Tobias plopped down next to me. “I’m confused. Do you live here or at the, uh, mansion?”
See? I wasn’t the only one who found it impossible to refer to the Sharpe compound as a house.
“Both, kind of. But I’ve been staying here since the accident.”
“It’s closer to campus,” Tristin explained. “Which makes it easier for us to take care of her.”
Also true, though it wasn’t the entire story. Mostly, the brothers were making sure I didn’t have to face Vincent more than necessary. It was something I was particularly thankful for right now. I wasn’t sure what I would do if I had to chance running into him on a daily basis after today’s revelations.
Leo hadn’t known the anxiety he was saving me from when he rented this place. Or, maybe, he had. Just not the extent of it.
Even though Tristin had spoken, Tobias kept his warm gaze on me. “How much longer until you can get rid of the cast?”
“I have a checkup in two weeks, and I might get it off then.”
“Good.”
His phone dinged, and he glanced at it. “I need to take this.”
Once he was outside, I breathed a sigh of relief. I wanted to be excited about his presence, but his timing was the absolute worst.
Although, I only had myself to blame. I’d decided to go talk to Lily about the silver shoes today. If I’d just waited, I could have avoided all of this.
Of course, if I’d waited, I still wouldn’t know the truth. May have never discovered it.
“Are you okay?” Tristin asked as he took the seat Tobias had vacated.
“Yes.” But I started shaking my head. “No. I don’t know.”
“What can I do?”
“I don’t think there is anything to do other than fake it with Tobias.” Just the thought was exhausting.
“What if I call some of the football guys over to hang out?” Leo offered. “They’re always a good distraction.”
A massive weight lifted from my chest. “You’re a genius.”
He laughed. “That’s a first.”
“But do you think anyone will show up? It is Thanksgiving, after all.”
“Yeah, quite a few of the guys stayed in town, since we have a game on Saturday.”
“Aren’t you forbidden from having any parties until after the end of the season?” Tristin asked.
“Yes, but we’re not having a party. I won’t even invite any girls.” He glanced at me. “Unless you want to call Petra?”
“She’s out of town.” She and Nana were spending the holiday weekend in Canada. “I guess I could invite Violet, though.”
As soon as I said it, I realized my mistake. Technically, Leo and Tristin had made peace with Violet. But that didn’t mean they would be comfortable with having her over. I knew better, but I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly right now.
“Never mind,” I said quickly. “Dumb idea.”
Leo shrugged. “It’s fine with me.”
“Me too,” Tristin added.
“Are you sure?”
They both nodded, so I shot off a text message to Violet.
Me: We’re having a small get together at the townhouse tonight, if you want to come over.
Violet: How small is small?
I smiled at that. She was as much a fan of parties as I was. Which was not at all.
Me: The Sharpes, a few football players, and one of