Page 127 of The Broken Heart Playlist
Then I register the fact that Aaron’s here and not with my daughter. I try to stand, but I’m still dizzy and weak. Aarongently pulls me back down again, steadying me against him. “Lisset,” I choke out.
“Mom and Dad are taking care of her,” Tess quickly reassures me. “Aaron wanted to be here with you.”
I glance at Aaron’s kind, concerned face. “Thank you.”
He nods grimly. “What happened?”
I let Tess explain while I remain on the floor, resting in Aaron’s steady strength.
By the time Tess finishes, Aaron’s entire body is rigid. There’s a look on his face I’ve never seen before and never want to see again.
He and Tess exchange a look.
“Go,” Tess says. “I’ve got her.”
“Wait,” I say. “Go where?”
“Don’t worry about it,” she says quietly.
“I am worrying about it.”
“Let Aaron do his thing.”
“What—?” Instantly, I realize what thethingis.
“No,” I say.
Aaron stares at me straight on. A shudder goes through me at the look in his eyes. “You’re family, Kate. I’m handling this my way.”
Before I can blink, he’s gone. And I don’t have the strength, or the will, to go after him.
All I know is, I wouldn’t want to be in Gideon’s shoes right now.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The next day, I lie to Lisset.
“Gideon’s sick,” I inform her when we’re stopped at a traffic light on the drive to school. “What he has is contagious, so we have to stay away.”
“Is he going to be okay?” she asks, and I can hear the worry in her tone.
“I’m sure he will be.”
“I want to see him.”
“You can’t, honey.”
“Can I wear a mask and visit him?” she asks.
“I’m afraid not.”
Her face in the rearview mirror is set in determined lines. “What if he wears a mask?”
Oh, he’s been wearing a mask all right.
“I think he needs a lot of sleep so he can recover,” I tell her. “It’s best if we leave him alone.”
Lisset is quiet for a moment. “I’ll make him a card.”
