Page 43 of The Devils They Are

Shaking my head, I don't bother replying, letting the conversation fall into silence. As if sensing my stubbornness, Rylan clears his throat, tone suddenly weird.

"So…" he starts. "I can also bake brownies."

By morning, there was a small reprieve from the rain as it lingered off the coast for a bit. Using the opportunity like other motorists, I quickly jumped into my truck and went to the hospital to visit Mom.

Rylan and I had talked on the phone for over an hour last night. Once the awkwardness had passed, we found ourselves discussing music. He explained that music was a huge part of running for him, helping him drown out the thoughts and setting pace. Turns out, we had a mutual favorite band and fell down the rabbit hole of talking about the lead singer's recent Instagram post. The cryptic message had left fans scrambling to decode, but Rylan and I both decided that it was an Easter Egg for new music.Lawless Dragonsoften did things like that, to hype up their fandom before a big announcement.

I check my cell for Mom's admission details that she had sent through, following the directions until I reach the second floor of the hospital. I scan the room numbers until I find hers, the door wide open, facing the nurses' station.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," I grin, placing both hands on the doorjamb.

Mom pauses, a spoonful of jelly in front of her face. "Bexie! I didn't think you'd be able to come. The weather is meant to be terrible."

I skip in, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "It's just sprinkling at the moment. The heavy rain is just off the coast. So, I thought I'd come while I had the chance."

She smiles warmly, pushing the Jello tub away on one of those wonky, portable eating tables. "You're in a good mood today," she points out.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I gush. "You're getting better, and things are improving at school."

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and when her eyes widen, it's the first time I spot the jaundice for myself. The sickly yellow color hides under her eyelids, making me feel relieved that she's in here getting help.

"I haven't seen you for one day and already Willowbrook has improved?" she murmurs in disbelief.

I nod, trying to figure out how to explain it. "We've come to an agreement," I say. "A treaty or something."

Mom's face pulls into a look of concentration. "That's good, sweetheart. Just stay on guard. And make sure you are looking after yourself. You spend too much time taking care of other people."

Her statement doesn't miss the mark. I cup her hand softly, settling in the seat next to the bed. "I like looking after you, Mom. You did it for me. That's what family does—through the good and bad times."

"And now I have Sandy to help, so you can focus on you," she muses, tilting her head toward the door.

My eyes fall on the petite nurse, her smiling face full of warmth and fondness at the introduction. I give her a quick wave before nodding toward a stack of papers at the end of the bed. "What's that?"

"It's a surprise," Mom answers with a chuckle. "No looking. Sandra knows she has to guard it too."

"That I do," the nurse laughs, stepping to the other side of the bed to press some buttons on the IV machine. "Top secret stuff."

Our hands squeeze together as I watch the machine pump drugs through the canula. Every time I ask for more information, Mom just smiles and says they are reversing some damage.

Not knowing everything makes me feel uneasy, but I trust her. I know this must be hard, having to face the reality of her spirals. But she has nothing to be embarrassed about. She's a survivor, like me. We'll get through it together.

Hopefully she opens up to me soon. When she comes home, I'm going to do all I can to support whatever option she chooses. Rehab, AA meetings, detoxes, psychiatrists… I'll be there every step of the way. We have so much lost time to make up, and she's not alone.

We have each other, and that's all that matters.

I'll prove to her that love is not the enemy. And that she's stronger than her demons.

Spencers don't go down without a fight.

Chapter sixteen

Rylan

"Istilldon'tunderstandwhy we have to back off," Hunter grumbles at me.

The cafeteria is extra busy today, with most students seemingly hiding inside from the rain. I don't blame them—it's torrential out there. But it makes it a little difficult to have a private conversation. Especially when eyes and ears are always on us here.

The three of us are sitting at our usual table, picking at the trays full of food. My eyes cross the room where Bexley is currently eating with her usual crowd surrounding her.

---