by Payton Reed
Chapter Forty-Three
Dalton
Considering Malone had been treating him like a pariah, he was almost surprised when she demanded he help with decorating for the Christmas dance. Asking wasn’t the right word, since there was no asking from his sister. She just told him when to show up and gave no opportunity for him to refuse.
He might’ve done so anyway, deciding to ditch the whole thing, if he hadn’t heard from Willow that she was part of the decorating committee too, thanks to owing Isis. When she told him why she owed Isis, he’d struggled to hide his jealousy at the idea of her spending a few days alone with Kip in Boston.
Part of him had been tempted to reach out to Hannah or his dad and tell them who’d really invited her, and for what purpose, but he held back the impulse. Sure, it would disrupt things with Kip, but it would also ruin his chances with her. If Kip got fired, she’d probably never talk to him again.
It had been a blow to learn there was yet another man competing for her attention though. Dalton was still upset that she’d held back, and when she finally told him, she’d extracted multiple promises from him before she’d mentioned Kip’s name.
It all boiled down to she didn’t quite trust him yet. Dalton knew he’d given her reasons in the past not to trust, but he’d been trying really hard to prove himself to her. He wondered how long it would take before she finally believed that he wasn’t going to betray her or revert to his previous behavior.
Knowing Willow was going to be there with Malone, he decided it was prudent to be around in case they needed a referee, so that was how he found himself stapling tinsel to the stage erected for a local group Malone had hired to perform. Local being subjective, since they were based out of Portland, but Dalton was surprised she’d gone that low-key.
A couple of years ago, she’d had an A-list group perform, and Dalton knew their dad’s donation to the school had paid for that. It practically guaranteed Malone the title of the prom queen that year despite being a freshman, because she’d been so popular. Maybe she was resting on her laurels now, certain she’d receive the accolade a third year without trying as hard.
He briefly imagined how grumpy she’d be if she lost. He chuckled aloud at the thought but bit off the laugh when he snagged his thumb on one of the staples that had gone in improperly. Cursing and wiping the blood on his pants, he extracted the staple and put a new one in its place.
He was aware of Willow’s arrival before he even saw her. The hair stood up on the back of his neck, and he could just sense she was in the room. He looked up, meeting her gaze as she, Octavia, and Isis entered the gym.
Malone marched over to them. “It’s about time. You’re late.”
“Not really,” said Isis in a mild tone. “I told you I had to stay after class to work on a project before I could get started, but I’ve brought some volunteers with me to make up for it.”
Malone sneered at Willow and Octavia, putting Dalton on red alert. He expected his sister to be horrible, so it was a pleasant surprise when all she did was sniff at them. “I’m sure we can find something for them to do too.”
It didn’t take her long before she had the three of them assigned various tasks. Dalton was annoyed that Malone had given Willow the duty of putting paper lanterns around the ceiling lights, which meant she had to climb up the ladder. At first, he kept a close eye on it to make sure his sister didn’t accidentally knock against the ladder and send Willow falling to the hard gymnasium floor. Once Malone moved on, focusing on other tasks, Dalton slowly returned his attention to the tinsel and was finishing up when he heard a cry.
He looked up in time to see a chubby first-year boy running past. He’d knocked into the ladder, and Willow was crashing toward the floor. Dalton rushed to catch her, but he didn’t arrive in time, and she landed heavily on her hands, crying out and cradling her left arm to her chest.
“I’m so sorry. I was trying to get the snowflakes for Malone.” The boy looked like he was on the verge of tears as he knelt near Willow.
Less-than-gently, Dalton pushed him aside so he could take his place, lifting Willow into his arms. “I’m going to take you to the clinic. Are you okay?”
Her laugh sounded a little shaky, and there were tears in her eyes. “I’ve been better, but at least I won’t have to do the rest of the lanterns.”
He let out a laugh that was forced and sounded more like a damp sob for a moment. He was worried she was seriously injured, especially with how she was holding her wrist, so he moved faster. He wasn’t used to carrying someone else, and he’d never tell her, but it was a bit of a strain, though she wasn’t excessively heavy. It was just awkward and different.
He was thankful when Octavia opened the door for him, and she quickly followed behind them. She seemed as worried as Dalton, but at least she wasn’t panicking. He would have pegged Octavia as the panicking type, if he’d ever thought about it, so it was nice that she was holding it together.
They reached the building housing the science labs, along with the office of the nurse practitioner on staff. The school had a modern clinic, so Dalton wasn’t concerned about her getting good care. He was just worried about her being injured.
Oslo Verth, the nurse practitioner, was sitting at his desk reading when they came in. He looked up, immediately putting down his tablet and gesturing for them to come into Exam Room One. “What happened?”
“An idiot freshman knocked her off a ladder, and she landed hard on her hands.” There was a growl in Dalton’s tone, and he couldn’t help feeling protective and possessive. Oslo reached out to examine Willow’s wrist, making her cry out, and Dalton snapped, “Take it easy. Do we need a real doctor?”
“Dalton, calm down,” said Willow in a soothing voice, though she was obviously in pain.
Oslo responded mildly as well. “I can do just about everything a doctor can, young man. I know you’re worried but let me take a look and do my job.”
“If you can,” grumbled Dalton, semi-under his breath. Octavia shot him a look of surprise and Willow gave him one of censure, but Oslo didn’t look at him. Instead, he examined Willow.
“Okay, let’s get some x-rays of that left wrist. I think it’s just sprained, but let’s make sure it’s not broken.”
“You have an x-ray machine here?” asked Willow.
Oslo grinned. “Wealthy people send their children to this school, Ms.…?”
“Willow Munroe,” she said.
“Ms. Munroe, so we have the best of everything that I’m authorized to use as a nurse practitioner, since I’m not a physician.”
“I’m surprised you don’t have a doctor on staff,” said Willow.
“We did until last year, but Dr. Simons grew restless with our provincial lifestyle, so she jumped ship and headed back to Boston. They haven’t bothered to replace her, and I’m not sure they will at this point. The clinic isn’t busy enough to really need two attendings, and I’ve been able to handle everything.”
“Make sure you handle this as well,” said Dalton as they walked down the hall. He wanted to follow, but it was clear from Oslo’s demeanor that he wouldn’t let him.
Ignoring him, Oslo took her into another room. Dalton hated when the door closed with her on the other side, and he started pacing.
“She’s going to be okay,” said Octavia softly. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
He nodded jerkily before stumbling to a stop. Did Octavia know about them? A glance at her seemed to suggest she did, judging from her sympathy. Of course, she could think he was just concerned because Willow was his stepsister. He didn’t like the thought of her being just that, but he didn’t want to tell Octavia about them if she didn’t already know either.
With a weary sigh, he collapsed into the seat beside Octavia’s. “Maybe we should text Lex,” he said grudgingly, and only because he knew Willow would like that.
“I’m sure she’d rather we wait until we know what’s going on. She won’t want to freak hi
m out for no reason.” Octavia sounded certain.
Dalton was happy to defer to her, since he’d rather not have Lex there. He wanted this moment with Willow to himself. Octavia was bad enough, but at least he could be the one to comfort her in her moment of pain, if the damned nurse practitioner did his job competently and brought her back.
As though his irritated thoughts had summoned them, Oslo returned with Willow, indicating she should sit on the table. He disappeared again, perhaps to develop the x-rays.
Willow moved to the table, and Dalton placed a hand on her right elbow to assist her. When she was settled, he leaned against the table and put his arm around her waist. She put her head against his shoulder, and he turned his head slightly to breathe in the scent of her shampoo. “Are you okay?”
“I think so. It hurts a lot though.” Her lower lip wobbled as she looked up at him, though she no longer seemed like she might sob. “I’ve never had a broken bone before. I really hope I’m not starting today.”
He smiled. “It’s no fun, that’s for sure. I broke my leg playing JV football. I had to sit out the season, and the cast itched like crazy. When it came off, I had to do physical therapy because the one leg looked like it belonged to someone much smaller than me due to atrophy. It was a process I hope you don’t go through.”
“Good news,” said Oslo as he reentered then. “It’s not broken, but you do have a bad sprain. I’m going to wrap it to keep it immobile for a few days, and I’ll give you a sling for support. You don’t want to put too much pressure on the wrist. It’ll be easier all-around if you wear the sling while you’re awake, just to relieve some heaviness and remind you to keep it as still as possible.”
Dalton breathed a sigh of relief as Willow nodded. He thought about apologizing to Oslo, but the other man spoke again before he had a chance.
“I’m going to write a note excusing you from class for the next two days, so you can rest the wrist and keep it immobile. I want to check on you before you go back to class, but I don’t expect any further complications. Come see me in two days please.” As he spoke, Oslo opened a drawer and started removing things. Dalton didn’t know most of the items, but he recognized an ACE bandage.
“I should call my mom. Or should I?” She looked at Dalton uncertainly. “I talked to her the other day, and she was really sick. Do you think I should worry her?”
Dalton shrugged, but before he could answer, Oslo interrupted.
“I’ll call her myself. It’s one of the rules, Miss Munroe. I’ll make sure she knows it’s nothing too serious, so there’s no reason to worry.”
“Just be as gentle as possible. She’s pregnant and having a really bad morning sickness.”
Octavia gasped. “Your mom’s pregnant? You didn’t tell me.”
Willow looked surprised. “I didn’t? I thought I told you.” She shrugged. “It’s not that big of a deal, but yeah, Mom and Ashton are having a baby.”
Octavia looked at both of them. “Won’t that be weird?”
Dalton had the feeling she was asking more about their relationship than about having a younger sibling at their age. He shot a questioning look at Willow, and she nodded, as though confirming she’d read the question in his gaze. So, she’d told Octavia about him and Lex and Jonas. He wondered with a bit of bitterness if she’d mentioned Kip to Octavia, and if she had, was it way before she told Dalton? He tried to push aside the bitterness at being left out of the loop for a while, knowing he had to earn her trust.
“I want you to take that ibuprofen and rest. Also use the ice packs.” Oslo nodded to several of the emergency packs that activated by breaking the chemicals inside. He set a small box on the counter for her. “Other than that, I just need to see you in a couple of days to sign off on your return to class.”
Dalton put his arm around her so she could step off the table, and Octavia grabbed the box with ice packs and a few doses of ibuprofen. Dalton kept his arm around her as he led her back to the dorm, aware of Octavia following.
Willow hadn’t asked to return to decorating, and Dalton was glad. He would’ve forbidden it, though he wasn’t certain how much authority he had to do that. More than likely, he would’ve told her it was a terrible idea and argued until she told him to mind his own business if she’d been determined to return to decorating. It was good she didn’t seem to be inclined to do so.
As they were walking up the stairs to the third floor, he saw Lex coming out of the second-floor rec room area, though he ignored his presence and moved on to the third floor. He boldly passed Edna’s door, and the resident advisor didn’t so much as peek out. He figured it was safe enough with Octavia behind them, and Willow having hurt herself. He was determined to personally see that she got in bed and started resting after she took her medicine.
She opened the door herself with her right hand that held the keycard, and they entered. Dalton gently urged her to the bed, and she sat down compliantly. He looked at Octavia. “Will you get her some water, so she can take her pills?”
Octavia took the glass off Willow’s nightstand and disappeared into the bathroom, returning a few seconds later with half a glass of water. Dalton doled out the ibuprofen, ensuring Willow swallowed it without complaint. He didn’t expect her to though, since she was obviously in pain.
“You can’t sleep in that.” He started to unbutton her shirt, and Octavia gasped just as there was a knock at the door. It was more like a forceful pound, and Octavia scurried to open it.
Dalton braced himself for facing Edna, or even Headmaster Hastings, but Lex stood there. He looked angry, and he stormed in. He loomed over both of them where they sat on the bed. “What did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do anything, Sperry.” Dalton glared up at him.
“Why don’t I believe you, Westerly?”
Dalton shrugged. “I don’t know, but you do you like to jump to assumptions when it comes to me.
“Enough,” said Willow with a hint of steel in her tone. “I’m okay, and it certainly wasn’t Dalton’s fault. A boy knocked me off the ladder when I was decorating, and it was an accident. There’s no one to blame for my sprained wrist.” She glared at Lex. “You need to dial it down a notch.”
Lex took a step back, looking wounded. “I thought he—”
Willow sighed heavily. “I know what you thought. You don’t like each other, but you really need to work this out if we’re going to be together. Our relationship won’t work if you two are constantly fighting, even if you both care a lot about me, and I care about you. We’re all in this together if we’re together.”
Dalton couldn’t help curling his lip. “You don’t expect me to love that guy or something?” He hoped he didn’t come across as homophobic. When it came to people, he didn’t care whose dick went where, but he was straight. If he was suddenly going to become bisexual or gay, it certainly wouldn’t have been for Lex.
She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. I’m just saying that you have to be able to get along, so work this out somewhere else, because I’m in too much pain to deal with your bickering today.”
“But—” said Dalton and Lex simultaneously.
She lifted her right hand and pointed to the door. “Out.” Her tone was gentler than the blunt word. “Octavia can help me change, and I’ll see you both soon, hopefully in better moods and having done something to get along.”
Seeing her obstinate expression, Dalton got to his feet. He didn’t bother arguing with the eviction, understanding she didn’t feel like dealing with them right then. He brushed his fingertips lightly down her cheek. “Text me if you need anything, okay?”
Her countenance softened, and she nodded at him. “See you.” She turned to Lex. “I’ll see you soon too.” Her expression and her tone remained just as gentle.
Lex seemed on the verge of arguing, but he just let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “Okay.”
Dalton waited for Lex to exit, following behind him. When the door closed, it automatically locked, and
they stood in the hallway for a moment.
“What is going on here?” asked Edna Grimley as she marched toward them. “You two are way out of bounds. Were you in that room?” She stabbed a finger in the direction of Willow’s door.
“We were, but it was just to help Willow get back to her room,” said Dalton. “She fell off the ladder, and Oslo told me to make sure she got to her bed.” That was close enough to the truth that he figured Oslo would back him up if Edna bothered to call for confirmation.
Her expression changed to one of concern. “Is Miss Munroe okay?”
“It’s a sprained wrist,” said Lex. “She’s in pain, but she’ll be okay. Right?” He addressed that to Dalton.
Dalton nodded, not liking how Willow’s pain seemed to cause Lex pain as well. That meant he cared about her. Could he care about Willow as much as Dalton did? It seemed unfathomable, but it also seemed hard to believe that there were men out there who didn’t care about Willow and weren’t drawn to her.
“In that case, thank you for seeing her to her room. I’ll ask you gentlemen to leave now, or please go to the rec room.”
“Sure,” said Dalton and started walking. He was aware of Lex following him as he headed to the stairs.
Chapter Forty-Four
Lex
Once they neared the landing, Lex put his hand on Dalton’s shoulder. “We need to work this out.”
Dalton looked disdainful. “You really think that’s going to happen in one day?”
“No, but we should give an effort for Willow.” He still wasn’t convinced Dalton hadn’t hurt her. Maybe he hadn’t caused her sprained wrist, but he’d definitely hurt Willow in the past, and Lex couldn’t help worrying he would do so again in the future. If he could get Dalton to give up on the idea of sharing her, it would be the best thing for all of them, except maybe Dalton. He didn’t care about him.