Page 91 of Villainous Summer

The sickness was bringing out a vulnerability in her she wouldn’t normally allow.

“Yeah, because if you’re an asshole, I won’t start feeling things that are terrible for me. I can fuck a guy, and it’s fine. But to . . . like . . . him, ugh. Trouble, trouble.”

I wasn’t going to press her on that, not while she was half asleep, but I would revisit it later.

“Go to sleep, Sunshine.”

She wrinkled her nose at me and snorted a whimper. “Fine.”

Her breathing slowed and body stilled.

Content that she was finally back to sleep, I pushed myself up to stand.

I was no more than two steps into the hallway when she called out, “Are you leaving?”

“No, I was going to get you a fresh glass of water.”

“Okay.” Her voice softened as she closed her eyes. “Can you stay?”

“There is nowhere else I want to be.” I tucked sweaty hair away from her face.

There was no response, just a gentle snore.

Two hours later, I returned, grocery bags in hand. I kicked my door closed and headed for the stairs when a door opened and a pretty woman with blue eyes and auburn hair poked her head out.

“Hey. Van, right?”

Stopping, I furrowed my brow. “Yeah?”

Her door left wide open, she approached me. “I’m Autumn. We haven’t met yet, but I’ve heard all about you.”

“Autumn.” I grinned back at her. She had a sweet disposition and looked exactly how Summer described. “The cousin.”

“The same.” She motioned to the bag in my hands. “Do you need help? I know Summer is sick.”

I thought about declining but decided talking with Autumn might give more insight into Summer.

Handing her the lighter of the two bags, I motioned for her to go ahead of me.

Once we were back in Summer’s apartment, Autumn set the bag on the counter, unloaded it, opened the fridge, and arranged the items. Crouched in front of the open vegetable drawer, she glanced over at me. “It’s nice of you to take care of her. She doesn’t normally allow that.”

Taking out the box of crackers, I opened one side to slide a sleeve out. “It wasn’t without some choice words. She was irritated when I showed up.”

“That’s Summer. Always there to fight for you—but can she show weakness? Of course not.”

I snorted.

“I’m glad she had you. She won’t say it, but I can tell you’re good for her. Especially after that asshole.”

“Cory, right?” I asked, my interest piqued.

“I don’t like putting negativity out into the world, but if I saw him—ooooohhhhh.” She balled up her fists and narrowed her eyes. “After the shit he put her through, the cheating and then—” She glanced at me.

“He’s a piece of shit. Absolutely.”

I was allowing Autumn to think I knew more. I felt slimy doing it, but there was no way Summer would open up to me, and if I had to learn the truth through a little deception, so be it.

She relaxed. “I know she told him to delete the pictures—and the fact that he not only didn’t but also showed people makes me so mad.”

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