Page 83 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

I roll over and put my arm out to pull East into me, but she’s not there. The bed is cold. She must have been gone a while. I fly out of bed, pull on my boxer shorts, and check the bathroom. Nope. Then, I head down the hallway to the kitchen area. My fast-beating heart slows as I see her sitting on one of the stools in my T-shirt.

“Morning,” she says cheerfully.

“Why didn’t you wake me up? What time is it anyway?”

“You were fast asleep. You tossed and turned most of the night, so I didn’t want to wake you up. I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to give you a bit more room in the bed, so I ended up getting up at 5:00 a.m.” She smiles as she sips her coffee.

“Do you want some? I’ve just made another pot.”

“How many cups have you had?”

“Not many. About four, I think, but that’s usual for me. I don’t even open my eyes fully until I’ve had two.”

Oh hell, this is not going to go down well. No wonder she’s feeling like shit. She’s a ticking time bomb.

If I go in heavy-handed, she’ll only fight me, so I am going to have to be clever. I’m going to phone her mum. She’ll have some sneaky tips, I am sure.

I remember my phone was ringing before I realised she’d gone.

“I’m going to get my phone. Do you need anything from the bedroom?”

“No, and please stop trying to look after me. I’m not a toddler.”

“I know you’re not, but I don’t know how this all works. I don’t know what I should and shouldn’t do. I’ve never done this before, East. It’s all new.”

“Sorry, but if it makes you feel better, you’re doing okay. Just less of the smothering.”

“I’ll smother you with something if you get cocky with me again, lady.” I grab her round her waist, pull her close, and give her a gentle “good morning” kiss on her lips. Then, I go to get dressed.

When I pick up my phone, my heart sinks. There are eight missed calls from Drake. Plus, the two I declined yesterday makes ten. What the hell does he want?

I am not going out to Vegas, and that’s that.

I click on one of the missed calls and head back into the kitchen.

“Oh, Zed, we have been trying to contact you.” It’s not Drake, it’s Alicia.

“Why?”

“Drake had an accident. He was doing a pit dive, and the crowd dropped him. He cut one of his main arteries. They managed to stop the bleeding just in time, but they need a blood transfusion, and with you both being a rare blood type, they want you to come out and donate. He needs more than they have.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Why didn’t you text me if it was this urgent?”

“I don’t know how to use his phone. It’s all encrypted and stuff. I could only make calls.”

“So, why didn’t you call West?”

“I did, but he just hung up on me!” she whines. That doesn’t surprise me at all. She’s been a thorn in his side for too long.

“I’ll get there as soon as I can.” I cut the call and see East eyes fly to mine.

“Drake’s had an accident, and he needs my blood. They don’t have enough, apparently, so I have to go to Vegas to donate. I should only be a couple of days at the most. You could come with me if you want.”

“Would you mind if I didn’t?” she asks quietly. I wasn’t expecting that response.

“No, I don’t mind, but why don’t you want to come?”

“I don’t want to go back to the hospital and, to be honest, I don’t want to spend a single second with Alicia. I’ll come if you want me to, but I’d rather just stay here. I have a tonne of work I need to catch up on, too. If you’re only gone a couple of days, it won’t be that bad.”

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