Sins of the Innocent - Jamie McGuire Page 0,43
that to you?”
My breath caught when I tried to laugh, and I held my side.
Morgan held out his hands again. “Geez, Eden. You should be in bed.”
“What are you doing?” Levi said, appearing at my side. “C’mon, I’ll help you upstairs.”
Morgan stood up straight, startled. His eyes danced. “You called him and not me?”
I began to speak, but Levi beat me to it. “You were supposed to call before you came over, weren’t you?”
Morgan’s mouth fell open and then he stuttered, “I-I guess. I’m sorry, but …” His expression changed. “Did you call?”
“No, she called me,” Levi said matter-of-factly.
I glared at Levi and then looked to Morgan. “He was in the car with me,” I said, lifting up Levi’s shirt to reveal the rectangular bandage spanning his lower abdomen. I also saw a set of finely chiseled muscles in the process, and I paused for moment before lowering his shirt. I blinked. “My parents insisted he stay here since he has no family around. You know how Mom is.”
“No,” Morgan said, “I don’t.” He turned to make his way down the steps.
I pulled out of Levi’s grip and stepped out onto the concrete steps, growling with the pain. That unnerved me. We were supposed to be healed by morning.
“Morg, wait.”
He stopped and then slowly turned around. “I get it. I figured I would be replaced when another guy came along. I guess I just thought it would be after we went off to college.”
“You’re not being replaced, Morgan. Don’t be silly.”
“Oh, yeah? It wasn’t me you got in that accident with. You told me you had to train.”
“I did … with Levi.”
“Yeah, and I can’t do that stuff.”
“You don’t have to. Since when have I required athleticism to be my friend? And since when can a person only have one friend?”
“Does he have to call when he comes over?”
“Morg … my family is private. There are thing you just don’t understand.”
“Oh,” Morgan said, incensed. “He’s rich. You’re right. I’ll never understand that.” He began walking down the gravel drive.
“Where are you going? How did you get here?” I called after him.
“The bus. Same way I’m going home.”
“Let me drive you.”
He chuckled and turned around. “I don’t think you’re in any shape to drive.”
“Then let Robert drive you.”
“Who’s Robert?”
“My grandmother’s driver. He’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
He rolled his eyes and then scanned our expansive home, wrinkling his nose as he squinted from the sun. “Will he take me back to two months ago?”
“Morg …”
“See you around, Eden.”
I took a few steps, the rocks crunching under my moccasins, but my side was on fire. I held it and called out to my friend, “What do you want me to do, Morgan? You want me to choose?”
He stopped. “Maybe I do.” He turned. “Yeah … him or me?”
“You,” I said without hesitation.
“Really?” he asked, pushing up his glasses.
“Yes. I’ll make him leave if you want. Just come inside.”
Morgan looked past me, and I cringed, realizing Levi was still there. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see a look of disappointment, anger, or jealousy, but he was smiling, proud even.
“Did you hear that?” Morgan said. “She chose me.”
“I heard it. I’m not surprised in the least,” Levi said.
“You’re not?” Morgan asked.
Levi shook his head. “I’m not her best friend. You are.”
Morgan stood up a bit taller and then walked toward me. Standing next to me, he slowly hooked my arm around his neck and then helped me to walk inside. “Is your aunt here?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Will you protect me?”
“Of course.”
Morgan supported most of my weight until we were in the kitchen where Grandmother was furiously working in the kitchen. Mom and Dad walked in, holding hands and smiling. Mom sat down at the dining room table, and Dad disappeared through the doorway, asking Grandmother if she needed help.
“So,” Mom said, “this is Morgan.”
“Nice to meet you,” Morgan said, reaching across the mahogany to shake her hand. “You have a lovely home.”
“Thank you,” Mom said, resting her chin on the heel of her hand. “It’s not mine.”
“You’re working today?” I asked her, noting her gray pantsuit.
“Beth is gone, and I have a few things to wrap up before my hiatus.”
“Hiatus?”
“I’m taking the rest of the summer off.”
“But I thought I said business as usual?”
“I thought you knew I don’t take orders from you.”
“Or anyone,” Grandmother said, carrying a white dish in each hand. She set a plate in front of me and then Morgan.
“If there’s not enough,” Morgan began.
“Don’t be silly,”