Chapter 3

Eliana talked about Daisy like it was some random animal.

But she'd been the one who went out of her way to get it for me.

After my parents died, I lived alone and never felt safe.

So Eliana spent a fortune on Daisy, hoping it would keep me company and protect me.

And just now, it had sensed Austin's hostility and warned him off.

"Okay, don't fight over me," Austin said. "It's just a dog. Lock it up."

To keep things from blowing up again, I locked Daisy in the bedroom.

Then I went to the bathroom and made myself throw up until there was basically nothing left.

By then, angry red welts had spread from my face and neck all over my body.

The door opened, and Eliana wheeled herself in.

She wiped my mouth with a towel, looking weirdly conflicted.

"Austin took the joke too far, but it's just an allergy. You're a grown man, Rafael. Stop being so dramatic."

I said nothing and pushed away the ointment.

Her face went cold again. "Rafael Reid, enough.

"Austin's staying with us for a while. Are you seriously gonna sulk the whole time?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

I was just done.

Then Austin called from the master bedroom, laughing.

"Eliana, get in here! I brought you something from overseas. Lingerie. Super thin. Come see if it fits."

Just like that, her expression softened.

"Take a minute and cool off."

Then she wheeled herself into the bedroom.

I gave a bitter smile and left with Daisy.

With Austin moving in, I took it to a boarding kennel so there wouldn't be another fight.

Then I called the landlord and ended the lease for next month.

I didn't get back until that night.

Austin had already claimed the master bedroom and passed out.

Eliana looked relieved when she saw I'd sent Daisy away.

"Rafael, Austin's wiped from traveling. The master bedroom's bigger, so let him have it for now. We can crash in the guest room."

I looked at her. "And tomorrow? The day after that? Next week?"

She froze, then scowled. "He's your friend. What's the big deal?

"When did you get so petty?"

I stared at her, exhausted.

'When did the three of us get this messed up?'

I still remembered that Christmas after my parents died saving someone from drowning.

I held Daisy and cried alone, staring at the neighborhood lit up for the holidays.

Snow came down hard that year.

Eliana rode her scooter for an hour down a dark, unlit road just to bring me Christmas Eve dinner.

Her basket was packed, so she'd held the fresh dinner rolls against her chest.

They were still warm when she pulled them out.

The heat had blistered her skin.

She just grinned.

Austin brought homemade ravioli from his family too, and together they loaded the table with hot food.

He grinned. "All this for the three of us? We're seriously spoiled."

Christmas morning, they showed up again with gifts.

That winter was brutal, but Eliana and Austin never left my side.

Those memories kept me warm for years.

Then somewhere along the way, we fell apart.

My phone suddenly rang, snapping me awake.

I got out of bed.

The apartment was empty.

I answered.

Eliana's number.

Austin's voice.

"Rafael, eight tonight at Le Crown. My welcome-home dinner. Don't be late."

"I'm not feeling great, so—"

Eliana cut me off. "Rafael, seriously? Enough with the sulking. Austin wasn't even gonna have a welcome-home dinner. He booked a five-star hotel just to apologize to you, and now you're gonna embarrass him?

"Did you forget who was there for you after your parents died?

"Maybe try being grateful."

My throat felt like I'd swallowed broken glass.

"Okay." My voice stayed calm. "I'll be there at eight."