Licking my lips, I lower my voice to a softer murmur. “You told me last night that?—”
“When I was drunk or high or whatever the hell I was? Like you can trust anything that comes out of someone’s mouth when they’re in that state!”
“Would you chill?” I raise my hands as two white flags. “I’m trying to help you.”
“Well, you’re not helping me, are you? Not when you’re standing there accusing me of being a little shit! Or getting kicked out of a school I worked really hard to get into!”
“I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m just telling you what you told me and saying I’m here if you need me.”
“I don’t need you!” Her eyes flash again, but it’simpossible not to notice the sheen quickly forming over them.
Shaking my head, I keep my voice low and easy. “You did last night. And you have no idea how grateful I am that I got there in time.”
Her eyes glass a little more, and I know she’s gonna start crying soon, but maybe that’s exactly what she needs.
“You know you called Wily. I just happened to answer the phone.”
“He doesn’t know?” she squeaks.
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Not about the hospital or anything?”
“No. I haven’t breathed a word.”
She sniffs, lifting her chin but not meeting my gaze, and now I’m wondering if now’s the best time to tell her about giving a statement to the police officer. Will that tip her over the edge?
Shit. One thing at a time.
Clearing my throat, I softly murmur, “I think you should tell him, though.”
A crazy-sounding laugh bubbles out of her, and she glares at me like I’ve lost my fucking mind. “Oh really? What should I tell him? That I went to a party and got wasted and… and that I can’t remember what else happened, but my hair smells like puke, you’ve got a fat lip, and I… what? Could have ended up doing who knows what with some guy I don’t know if you hadn’t arrived in time?” She slashes a rogue tear off her cheek with an angry growl. “You had to take me to the hospital, which means I must have been pretty out of it.” A shudder runs through her, and she scoffs again. “I’m sure that would go overjust great with my big bro. He’d just love to hear that his sweet, perfect little sister fucked up big-time last night!”
“Blake, that’s not…” I shake my head and release a breath. “You don’t have to tell him about last night, okay? I’m just saying that maybe you should tell him about the college thing and that you’re going through a hard time.”
“There is no college thing!” she snaps again. “And I’m fine!”
The way she’s roaring at me is kind of contradicting the statement, but I’m wise enough not to point it out.
“You know what, Grady? I don’t need your help, okay? And I don’t appreciate you butting into my life and trying to play savior. I don’t need saving, because my life is fine. It’s perfect!”
“Obviously.” I give her a deadpan stare.
With a little growl, she fists her bundle of clothes and barks, “Leave me alone!”
“I’m just here to help.”
“Leave mealone!”
Raising my hands again, I back out of the doorway, and she storms past me, muttering something about me having a hero complex.
The little shit!
I glare at her back, shaking my head and trotting down the stairs as a door slams behind me. I really don’t need this kind of drama in my life.
If she wants to be left alone, then fucking fine! She can solve her own damn problems.
“What was that about?” I’m not even at the bottom of the stairs when Wily appears, frowning up at me. “Was Blake just yelling at you?”