“I called Jax and asked him to cook something for you. Figured you’d be hungry, and something hot might help your headache,” Trent said, his arm still firmly around my waist. He held me like he was afraid I’d suddenly collapse.
“It smells amazing. Then again, Jax’s cooking always does,” I said.
“C’mon.” Trent gently guided me into the kitchen and helped me sit in a chair. “I’ll go get you some aspirin.” He kissed the top of my head, then disappeared to wherever they kept their medicine.
Did they even have medicine in this house? As vampires, none of them exactly needed painkillers.
“Eat.” Jax set a plate of French toast in front of me, and my stomach grumbled again. “Chocolate milk?” he asked.
“Just water, please.” I shifted in the chair and winced against the pain, though I wasn’t sure if it was physical pain from my injuries or emotional pain from the familiarity of Jax serving me food like this.
I cut a large piece of the French toast and shoved it into my mouth. Closing my eyes, I chewed slowly, savoring the mix of flavors. A moment later, Jax set a glass of ice water on the table; then he sat across from me. Arms folded on top of the table, he studied me.
“These are really good,” I said in between bites. “Thank you for making them.”
Jax nodded, his blue eyes dark. “I really wish you could see that I’d do anything for you.”
My appetite vanished immediately. I set my fork down and took a sip of water. “Anything but stop trying to make me feel guilty for choosing Trent, you mean.”
My tone was harsh, but I was too tired and in too much pain to care. Dealing with Jax and whatever feelings he still had for me was the last thing I could handle right now. And honestly, I didn’t want to admit, let alone think about, any of the lingering feelings I still had for him. It was easier to pretend they didn’t exist.
“Yes, anything but that,” he said, his tone equally as harsh. He leaned forward, eyes narrowed. “But you like that, don’t you? Knowing you still have me wrapped around your finger, that all you have to do is ask and you can have anything you want from me.”
I gaped at him. He couldn’t seriously think that, could he?
“No, Jax. For your information, I don’t like that. And why are you still acting this way around me? The bond is broken, remember?” I narrowed my eyes, attempting to intimidate him, which was ridiculous. I wasn’t scary, and we both knew it.
“Oh, I remember,” he said through clenched teeth. “And the only reason we had that bond in the first place is because of my feelings, because of how I felt about you before I ever bit you. Breaking the bond didn’t magically make all of that go away. Not for me.” He shook his head. “And not for you, either. You’re just not willing to admit it.”
I was not going to sit here and listen to him a moment longer. I attempted to stand, but the pain was too intense, and I cried out.
Jax was by my side before I could take a breath. He took hold of my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist so I wouldn’t tip over. The feel of his hands on me was like a dam breaking, and all at once, I was flooded with the memory of every single touch and kiss we’d shared. My head spun, causing my temples to throb even harder.
“Easy,” he said, his tone and demeanor much calmer than it had been a moment ago.
“Get your hands off her,” Trent said. He slammed the bottle of aspirin onto the table and came around to my other side.
Jax immediately released me and held his hands up in surrender. “Was just trying to help. Didn’t think you’d be too happy if she collapsed on the floor and I did nothing but watch it happen.”
Trent snarled.
“Stop,” I said weakly. “I just want to lay down.”
Colt was standing in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed. His gaze was dark and accusatory. Great. How much had he heard?
Without another word, Trent helped me into his room, which took twice as long as it should have, but every step I took was more painful than the last. He eased me down onto the bed, then he busied himself with pulling back the blankets and stacking the pillows.
“Do you want to change?” he asked.
I was dressed in the same clothes I’d put on this morning. “Yeah. I don’t have anything with me, though. It’s all in Abby’s car.”
That morning before we’d left for school, we’d both packed enough clothes and stuff to spend the weekend with Whitney.
“Speaking of Abby, where is she? And where’s Isach?” I asked.
“She went with Isach so he could whip up whatever magic cure he was talking about. They should be here soon.” Trent rummaged around in his dresser and produced one of his button up shirts. “You can wear this for now.”
“Thanks.”
I always liked wearing Trent’s clothes, and right now, buttons meant I wouldn’t have to try to put anything on over my head, though I had no idea how I was going to remove my sweater. I glanced down at myself and frowned.
“Need some help?” There was a hint of humor in his tone, and a faint smile curled his lips.
“You don’t have to enjoy this so much, you know.”
He laughed. “I get to undress you. Why wouldn’t I enjoy that?”
I tried to glare at him, but I was sure I looked goofy. “You’re taking my shirt off. That’s it. I can do the rest. And it’s not even for a fun reason.”
“Hopefully, whatever Isach is making for you will work quickly.” Trent stood in front of me and gripped the sleeve of my sweater. “Okay, slowly pull your arm out.”
I did as he instructed, then we repeated it with
