Wilted (15 page)

“I’m fine. I think I’m going to maybe just read today. I have a ton of books on my Kindle that I haven’t even started. I might go lay out on your patio and grab some of this beautiful sunshine. I can’t believe how perfect the weather is here.”

“Like I said, make yourself at home. I have a presentation to finish, so I might be a little late coming home. I can grab us some dinner on the way in if you want?”

“Or I can make us something. I haven’t gotten to cook in a while.”

“That sounds great. Whatever you’re up to is fine. I’ll call you when I have an idea of what time I’ll be home. If you get hungry, feel free to eat without me.”

“I’ll wait. Hope you have a good day.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

I feel so much better having her here. I know it sounds selfish and all because I hate her being unhappy. Hell, I hate both of us being so miserable. I’m just so relieved to have some sort of a support system here in LA. It took her coming here to realize just how much I’ve missed her. One way or another, she and I will survive the hurt and betrayal the Thorne men have caused in our lives.

KYLIE

It doesn’t seem possible that eight weeks have gone so quickly. With Skylar still here, I finally feel like I’m going to be all right. As long as she’s where I am, I have a small piece of home with me. She is my sister in so many ways. Especially in times like this, I can never thank God enough for putting her in my life. She’s the glue that keeps me together.

Skylar has been doing a bit of contract work on the side for Mr. Yung, the Japanese billionaire she’s worked with before. She seems really happy here and I’m so glad to see her smiling again. She’s even rescued a little dog from an animal shelter down the street. Bella’s such a sweet dog and has been a lot of company for her when I’m at work during the day. The damn thing shits in my house all the time and has chewed up countless numbers of shoes, but you can’t help but love her.

Lucas has texted and called me almost every week to check on her. At his request, I haven’t mentioned that to Skylar. He’s not nosey or anything. He just seems genuinely concerned about how she’s doing. Maybe it’s wrong, but I can’t help but feel sorry for him. I’m sure walking in and finding Sebastian and Skylar together shattered him. Regardless, I know he still loves her. It’s evident in every message and phone call he’s made to me. He wants her back, but that’s not my business. If he wants that, then he has to be the one who handles it. I, for one, do not want to be involved. I suck at matters of the heart. People should run far and wide when they see me trying to solve love problems.

Cough. Cough
. Skylar sounds horrible. We won’t talk about how horrid and pale she looks. The dark circles under her eyes are even worse than yesterday.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t see a doctor about that cough? It’s sounding worse and worse.”

“I’m sure. It’s just a cold. I’ve gotten myself run down, I guess. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Cough. Cough
.

“Are you sure? I can run you to the doctor if you want.”

“I’m fine, Kylie. I’ll pick up some more cough medicine and maybe some new allergy medicine at the pharmacy. I’m sure that will kick it out of my system.”

“Well, if it doesn’t, I’m dragging your ass to the doctor. Got it?”

“Yes, Mom. I got it,” Skylar jokes. She knows how fucking much I hate it when she calls me that.

“I’ll see you when I get off work. Take it easy, got it?” I say as I check her forehead for a temperature, but she swats my hand away.

“Go to work and stop worrying about me. It’s just a damn cold, Kylie. I’m not dying.”

“Ugh. I’ll see you later. I better get going before they fire me.”

“They're not going to fire their top associate.”

“Oh yeah, sure they won’t. Bye, bitch.”

“Bye, love bug.”

Another fucking name she calls me that I hate.

I’d not been at work long when my phone rings. Lucas. Rolling my eyes, I answer. I guess this is his weekly check-in.

“Hey Lucas. How are you?”

“Hi Kylie. I’ve been better. How’s Skylar?”

“She’s just staying busy working on that new addition for Yung.”

“Listen, I’m coming to LA tomorrow on business. I’d love to see her. Unless you think it’s too soon?”

“I… I don’t know. She’s just now gotten back to herself. I don’t know if she’s ready to see you. She’s embarrassed over everything.”

“I need to see her, Kylie. She can’t hide from this forever. We can make this work, I know we can.”

“Lucas, I—”

“Don’t tell her I’m coming. If you do, she’ll run. I just need to talk to her face to face.”

“She’ll kill me. You know that, right?”

“I’ll tell her it was my idea. I’ll take the blame, I promise.”

“Fine, but it’s your funeral.”

“Thank you, Kylie.”

“For what?” I laugh.

“For being such a good friend to her when she needs it the most.” His words really take me back. Here this man is thanking me for being a friend to Skylar, when she’s ripped his world apart. Wow is all I can say to that.

“She’s the best and I love her. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. That includes burying someone in the backyard that hurts her… just so you know.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” He laughs.

“Be sure you do.”

“Once I know what day I’ll be arriving, I’ll let you know.”

“Sounds good. Bye, Lucas.”

“Thanks again, Kylie. Bye.”

Maybe I’m not doing the right thing by keeping this all a secret. If I knew Skylar was secretly talking to Nikolas, I would have to hurt her. Is this any different? I mean it’s not like Lucas has done anything wrong.
So it can’t be the same, can it?

KYLIE

“Yo toots, I’m home,” I yell as I kick off my heels at the door. Bella meets me at the door, her tail wagging happily. “Hey girl, where’s Skylar?” “Skylar?” I call through the house, but there is no answer. “Sky?” I call, going room to room.

When I reach her bedroom, I find her fast asleep. A mountain of used Kleenex surrounds her. On the nightstand sits a half-drunk bottle of Nyquil. It’s all the girl seems to eat and drink anymore. She’d lied and told me she’d been feeling better and that’s why she hasn’t been to see a doctor. I lost it on her yesterday and told her I was taking her to the ER if her fever didn’t go down. Somehow, it managed to go back to normal and she managed to convince me not to drag her there.

Reaching over, I feel her head. She’s really warm, but I won’t wake her up to yell at her. Right now, she needs her rest. Normally she’s up coughing most of the night. Tomorrow, Lucas will be in town and I’m going to let him rip into her. He’s going to take one look at her and freak the fuck out, I’m sure.

Quietly, I sneak out of the house before the sun comes up. I leave Skylar a note to explain that I have an early meeting and will be working late. What she doesn’t know is that I plan on making myself scarce today. There’s no way in hell that I want to catch her wrath once she finds out I know about Lucas’ plan.

Busying myself with my latest project, I don’t realize how late in the morning it’s gotten. Lucas texts
me that he’s just landed and wants to know my address. I reply with the information along with a warning about Skylar being sick. Like I said, maybe he can talk some sense into her. Taking a deep breath, I felt guilty that I haven’t checked on her this morning, but I didn’t want to risk waking her up. Maybe I should have just stayed and insisted she see a doctor whether she wanted it or not.

A knock on my door startles me. When I turn around, I see Evan’s handsome face staring back at me. Kissing him at that party had not been a wise choice on my part. Ever since then, I’ve managed to dance around the subject.

“Kylie? You got a minute?” he asks.

Ugh! I really don’t want to do this now.

“Yeah, um, sure. Come on in.”

“Wow, you’ve been working, haven’t you?” he says, admiring the work spread on the table in my office.

“Trying to. I just like to be prepared, I guess.”

“Well, would you like to grab some lunch?”

“I don’t know, Evan. I—”

“It’s just lunch, Kylie. I’ve told you, I respect that you want to keep this professional.”

“Okay, I guess I could use a bite. I skipped breakfast, so I’m starved.”

“Let’s go then. My treat.”

“Sounds good. Let me grab my things.”

We’ve barely gotten our appetizer when my phone starts ringing. The minute I see Lucas’ name on the screen, I hesitate to answer it. What if he’s calling because Skylar’s having a meltdown? Rolling my eyes, I answer the phone.

“So, how bad is my apartment, or are you calling because she hurt you?” I tease but Lucas cuts me off with his seriousness.

“She collapsed on me, Kylie. She’s burning up with fever, so I am taking her to the emergency room closest to your place. I’m almost there.”

“Fuck! I knew I should have stayed home and made her go to the doctor. Keck Hospital is the nearest to my house. I am on my way right now!”

Evan looks at me with deep concern.

“I’m sorry, Evan, but I have to go. My friend’s really sick and being rushed to the hospital.”

“Let me drive you,” he offers standing and throwing bills down on the table to pay for our lunch.