forward to it. We were still no closer to figuring out what had happened to my mother, and if I stuck to my deal with Hayle, I only had a few more weeks until the end of the semester when I’d agreed to finally confront Vincent over what I’d heard all those years ago and discovered since.
But I couldn’t back out. Not when I knew it would only lead to Leo doing the same. And, no matter what secrets their father held, the Sharpe brothers should all be together on Thanksgiving.
“I’m sorry,” Hayle replied. “I shouldn’t have gone there.”
“It’s okay.” I slid back down the bed and settled my head against the pillow. “I’m just too tired for that conversation right now.”
“Yeah. Same here.” He pushed the covers back and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “I’ll let you—”
I placed a hand on his arm, stopping him. “You don’t have to go.”
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to suck them back in. Except, I didn’t really want that. I just knew I should.
Hayle froze, his back to me. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I think it’ll help me fall back asleep.” Though talking to him had helped, the pit in my stomach brought on by my nightmare hadn’t disappeared.
“Okay.” He lay next to me on top of the covers, keeping as much distance between us as possible.
I wondered if the space was for Leo’s sake, mine, or his own, but I had no desire to open that can of worms. So, I closed my eyes and began counting my breaths.
“Thea?” Hayle’s voice was a soft rasp, and I somehow found it as comforting as his presence.
“Yes?”
“You never told me what you’re afraid of.”
A flippant answer about not making it to nineteen ran through my mind, but I knew it wasn’t the right one. There was a fear that had been with me for my entire life, it seemed. For me, it was exceedingly more tangible than a tornado or getting run over by a car.
It was my living nightmare—the one thing always out of my reach.
“Never having a place to call home.”
Chapter Forty
Thea
“Well, well. So, this is what happens when I leave you two alone overnight.”
I squinted in the morning light to find Leo standing over the bed and Hayle still in it. Except, my boyfriend didn’t look angry so much as amused. Thank god.
My back aching from sleeping in one position for half of the night, I slowly sat up. “It’s my fault. I had a nightmare and didn’t want to be alone.”
Hayle pointed at me as he stumbled out of bed and started toward the door. “What she said.” His hair was even more disheveled than usual, and his face was drawn, like he hadn’t gotten more than a few minutes of sleep. Totally my fault.
Leo playfully pushed him out the door. “That’s right. Get out of here.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Hayle grumbled. But he glanced over his shoulder at me and gave me a smile. “Morning, Thea.”
“Morning.”
Once he was gone, Leo took Hayle’s vacated spot on the bed and draped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. “You had a nightmare?”
Not particularly wanting to re-hash it, I merely said, “Yeah. What are you doing over here so early?” The clock on the nightstand told me it was only a few minutes after eight, and we didn’t have to be at the mansion until one.
“I wanted to sneak into bed with you, but that didn’t work out exactly as planned.” His tone was dry, but I still detected a question there.
Unsure of whether I felt guilty or merely uncomfortable, I focused on adjusting the position of my injured leg, just for something to do. “I’m sorry. Nothing happened with Hayle. I swear.”
“But do you wish it had?”
My heart hammered in my chest as I lifted my head to look at him. His handsome features were relaxed, providing no sign of accusation. But I couldn’t be sure of what he was thinking. If I was in his position, I would be pissed. I knew that much.
“What are you asking, Leo?”
Maybe it was sheer cowardice on my part, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer the question outright. Because, as much as I abhorred the idea of hurting him, I also couldn’t bring myself to lie to him. And denying interest in Hayle would be a lie.
When had this become so complicated?
Always, I answered myself with a mental eye roll. I’d known