Page 343 of The Maxwell Brothers
"I can tell you later," I said.
"No, tell me now. It’ll do me good to think about something else."
"It was unexpected. He tried to blackmail me into getting his old job back by saying that he'd sell an interview to the press about how things really ended between him and Reese."
She gasped. "The bastard."
I laughed at the indignation in her voice. "My thoughts exactly. But Reese said she's going to do the interview instead."
"Is she okay?"
Fucking hell, I loved this woman with all I had. She was worried sick about her niece but still wanted to make sure Reese was okay. "I think this is generally a tough period for her, especially because it doesn't seem to end. But Reese is tough. She's going to get through it all."
"Yes, she will." Her stomach rumbled.
"You didn't eat anything, did you?”
"Um, I had a sandwich at some point. I think. Might have been just one bite."
"Liz," I said.
"No, don't try to boss me into eating."
"I'll get you something fresh."
"No, really, all I need is for you to be here with me."
"Fine," I said.
She leaned against me. I put an arm around her shoulders, feeling her body relax. She was breathing in and out slowly, but I knew she hadn't fallen asleep because she clenched my hand from time to time.
It seemed forever before a woman came out to meet us. She looked a lot like Liz, except she was taller, and her hair was short.
“Rose!” Liz said, jumping to her feet, along with the rest of the family. “How is Amy?”
I stood slightly behind Liz, my hands on her shoulders. Everyone else crowded in around them.
“She’s much better. Her fever is still up. They’re keeping us here for the rest of the day and overnight. She needs lots of fluids, and it’s easier for her to get them through an IV. And they need to monitor the meds. You should all go home, honestly.”
She blinked, looking at me as if it was the first time she’d seen me. “You’re Declan, aren’t you?”
“Yes I am. Nice to meet you.”
“And you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want us to stay, darling?” her mom asked. “You don’t have to be here by yourself with her.”
“It’s fine. I’m exhausted, so I’ll probably just crash. It makes no sense for you all to be here. I’ll text you updates.”
“Are you sure you want everyone to go? Even me?” Liz asked. “I can stay out here in case you want to talk to someone in the middle of the night.”
Rose patted Liz’s cheek, then pointed at me. “Take her away from here. Make her relax and rest.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Everyone, let's go,” Mark said. “You heard Rose. No reason to linger here.”
“Declan, where are you staying?” Danielle asked me.
