The Lies We Tell (The Four #1) - Becca Steele Page 0,37
into his, the nausea twice as bad now we were moving. As good as his arms felt cradling me, I really hoped I didn’t throw up on him. That wouldn’t go down well. I tried to concentrate on breathing slowly, in and out, my head spinning, as I felt him carry me up the stairs.
He nudged open a door with his foot—I heard it creak as it opened—and a few moments later he’d deposited me on a soft bed. I groaned in relief as the pillows cradled my sore head, and attempted to open my eyes.
“I’ll be back.”
I gave up on trying to open my eyes and curled into a ball on my side, my stomach churning. What was probably a few minutes later I heard a clattering sound and managed to peel my eyelids open to look at Caiden. “Water, and a bowl in case you’re sick. Try to sleep it off.”
“Thanks, Cade.” I reached out my hand and fumbled for his, giving it a squeeze. “I mean it.”
He grunted, roughly tugging his hand free from my grip. “Sleep.”
I managed a few sips of water as I heard the door close behind him, and then I passed out.
The next time I woke, it was to Weston’s face as he gently shook my shoulders.
“Stop it,” I moaned, burrowing into the covers. “I need sleep.”
“No.” He prodded my cheek. “Get up. You’re coming with us. Did you bring a change of clothes?”
I tried to focus on his words. “Blue bag.”
“Okay. I’m gonna turn on the shower for you. Fuck, Winter, how much did you and Cass drink last night? He’s been throwing up for the last hour.”
“Please don’t mention being sick.”
He sighed and pulled the covers off me. “Come on. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. If you were gonna be sick, you would’ve been already. I reckon Cass drank way more than you—he was already drunk by the time you started.” He helped me up, and I used him as a convenient crutch to walk to the bathroom, where I sat on the side of the bath with my pounding head in my hands while he started the shower and brought my bag in.
“I’ll wait in the bedroom. Be quick.”
“Do I have to?” I whined.
“Fucking hell, if this is what having a sister is like, I’m not sure I want one, after all,” he muttered.
“Hey!”
“Just kidding. Get your ass in the shower. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Fine.”
He walked out of the door, and I peeled my clothes off, trying not to move too much. I happened to glance at my face in the mirror over the sink as I was changing and immediately wished I hadn’t. My make-up was smeared all over my face, and I mean all over. My hair was matted and tangled, and the dark circles under my eyes just added to my overall unkempt look. Lovely.
Somehow, I managed to stumble into the shower, and by the time I was done, my head wasn’t hurting quite so much. I cleaned my teeth, washed the remaining traces of my make-up off, and dressed in the jeans and tank top I’d brought with me. I pulled a thin cardigan on top and wound my wet hair into a messy bun. That would have to do. I re-entered the bedroom to find Weston reclining on the bed, scrolling through—wait, was that my phone?
“West! That better not be my phone!”
He held up a hand. “One second…okay, done.” He threw the phone down on the bed. “You should be thanking me. You didn’t even have a password on there. I installed my app on it—it’ll give you all sorts of security options now.” His smile dimmed, his voice turning serious. “You can never be too careful around here.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, still not sure if I could trust him or not, but deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Um. I see. Thanks, then.”
“I put all our numbers into your contacts list, too. You can message me whenever you want.” He gave me a cheeky wink, and I couldn’t help smiling.
“Maybe I will.” I grabbed my phone from the bed, and he jumped up, taking my bag. Together, we made our way downstairs through the silent house and out the front door, where Cassius’ SUV was waiting, Caiden in the front passenger seat, sunglasses on, so I couldn’t make out the expression on his face.
“Where is everyone, anyway?”
Weston turned to me. “Think your mum and my dad must still be asleep. Dad