Page 106 of Broken

“I take it that’s why she didn’t want Archer to be here? He kept asking if he could come with me.”

“It’s better if he isn’t here,” Annie said softly, her gaze on her twin. “I’m already imagining…” Her voice trailed off, growing tight, and I began to knead gently at her neck and shoulders. She dropped her head, groaning in appreciation as I looked down at my friend, the sight of Izzy with so many tubes and bandages, her frail form covered in bruises…it just wasn’t natural. She still looked so broken, and I knew what Annie meant. I could only imagine how tonight was going to go when she found out…

Annie sighed, rolling her shoulders as I moved my ministrations to her neck. “Ugh, that feels so good. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she sucked in a breath that was fighting a sob. “She just looks so bad, babe.”

“I know.” I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze in comfort, my fingers still working at the muscles in her neck. It was no question what she was talking about. Izzy looked like she wassleeping, but her expression wasn’t peaceful. It was almost like her unconscious self already knew to expect the worst. I fully believed on some level she was aware. That day we’d been late getting back to her, she’d actually sighed when Tucker took her hand and whispered in her ear. Some part of her had known he was there.

He hadn’t left her side since, his light snores filling the room from across the bed.

“I don’t know if she can handle it, Jet,” Annie whispered sadly. “You saw how Tucker took it. Izzy will be worse.”

I grimaced at the memory of my friend collapsing to his hands and knees at my feet, tears flowing violently, his pained gasps for air spread far too thin. It had taken a long time for Tucker to reach a state of control, and after our trip to the gym a couple days ago, I knew he was barely holding onto the little that he had.

I glanced over to where Tucker sat draped across the edge of Izzy’s bed, her limp, pale hand held in his. Nothing inhisexpression read restful either.

“How long has he been asleep?”

“A couple of hours now. He should wake up soon. He never makes it past three at a time.”

“Has he left the room at all? Even for food?”

Annie gave me a look that said,‘Have you met Tucker?’Then she sighed. “No. Chuck and Jenna have both tried to get him to come home, but he won’t leave. He knows Mom has pull here, even though it’s Houston. She has strings since her old boss works here now, and he’s been using the hell out of it. He’s driving her crazy.

“Sounds like Tucker.” I couldn’t help but grin.

Tucker stirred a little in his chair, moving his head to rest on one of his hands. We stopped our talking to watch whether he was waking up, but he didn’t move again.

Annie lowered her voice. “Unfortunately. I mean, I’m glad he’s here for Izzy, but I wish he’d take care of himself. That day in the gym did him no favors. He’s miserable, babe. In more ways than one, and he’s not going to get any better if he doesn’t get some decent food and sleep. He should be resting in an actual bed, not slumped over my sister’s.”

I shook my head. “He’ll take care of himself later, sweetheart. Right now, Izzy comes first. I’d be doing the same thing if it wereyouin that bed and I was hurt.”

Annie rolled her eyes.

“You don’t believe me?”

“No, I just find it annoying when you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Make me love even the things I find irritating about you.”

I smiled. “If it irritates you, I’ll have to do it more often. You look cute when you’re annoyed.”

“You’re both annoying right now,” Tucker grumbled into his hand.

Annie and I shared a look, feeling bad but trying not to laugh. “Sorry, man. We thought we were being quiet enough.”

Tucker lifted his head and rubbed his hands across his face. “What time is it?” he mumbled, almost incoherently.

“A little after six,” Annie replied.

“Already?” He blinked, still trying to wake up.

“Yeah. You know, you might get a little more sleep if you were in an actual bed, Tucker.”

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