Page 110 of Stealing for Keeps
“What’s going on?” Rowan asks.
“I don’t feel so well,” Claire says. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
She breaks free from us and rushes toward the downstairs bathroom.
“I’ve got her,” Lacey says, hurrying behind her.
“I was going to head out, but do you need me to stay?” Rowan asks.
“No, I’ll make sure she gets home.” She went from seemingly fine to really sick fast. I’m kind of freaked out.
I must look as worried as I feel, because Rowan places a hand on my shoulder. His gaze bounces between me and Vaughn. “She’ll be okay, but areyou twogoing to be okay?”
“I’m gonna go check on Claire.” Vaughn’s response is confirmation enough.
“He’s pissed,” I say.
“Yeah, I got that.”
“Fuck.” I run a hand over my head. How did tonight get so messed up? “I should go check on her too.”
“Yeah, do what you gotta do.”
“Thanks for coming tonight, man,” I say as I walk backward away from the front door.
Rowan nods. “Any time. Call me if you need anything.”
The bathroom door is open, and Claire is sitting on the ledge of the bathtub while Lacey squats down in front of her and Vaughn hovers nearby.
“Are you all right?” I ask, not moving into the small space even though I want to.
“I think I have the flu. Ruby had it earlier this week. I felt fine earlier. It just hit me.”
“I’ll take you home,” Vaughn says.
Fuck that. “I can take her.”
We glare at each other.
“I’mgoing to take her,” Lacey says, forcing herself between us and shooting each of us a glare.
“I’m coming with you,” I say. “I can help or not, but I’m not leaving her.”
“Me either.” Vaughn stands tall and crosses his arms over his chest.
Lacey stands and jabs a pointy finger at Vaughn and then me. “This is not the time to act like cavemen. You’renot going anywhere with us if you can’t put your shit aside for the rest of the night. Got it?”
“Yes,” I say quickly.
Lacey arches a brow at Vaughn.
“Yes.” His tone is dry and bitter.
I give my mom a brief explanation. She’s pissed about the fighting, but I promise to come right back home after I make sure Claire gets home.
Lacey drives, and Vaughn and I pile into the back seat with Claire between us.
“I feel like I’m driving my children around in a minivan.” She adjusts the rearview mirror. “And I am not afraid to stop this vehicle, so don’t test me.”
