Page 48 of Chasing Shadows
EVENTUALLY, I CONVINCE Harley to move from the floor to the living room. He passes out from exhaustion on the couch, and I wrap a blanket over him before moving into the kitchen to make a cup of hot chocolate and call Tom to check in on him.
He picks up on the first ring. “Did Harley make it home? Is he okay?”
“Define okay?”
He sighs. “How bad is it?”
“Pretty bad. He’s devastated. How’s your dad?”
“Hanging in there.”
“And Conrad?”
“He’s in shock, understandably. He and Dad haven’t had any type of relationship. I don’t think he really knows what to think at the moment.”
“What about you? There’s so much going on. Is there anything I can do?”
“Just be there for Harley. I’m fine. Conrad and I are just waiting for the doctor to come back with an update on the tests Conrad had to take to see if he’s a match for the kidney donation. The blood match is important, but there are a couple of other tests as well. Once that’s done, I’ll come home.”
“Should I message the others, postpone tonight?”
“No. There’s nothing more we can do for now. They’ve put Dad in an induced coma. Harley needs his friends around him right now. Can you call Patty later, though, and make sure everything’s organised for the food and cake.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Lily.” He pauses. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Tears prick the corner of my eyes as I hang up. Had I really been contemplating leaving? In two months, Harley and Tom have shown me more kindness and compassion than my own family has in my nineteen years earthside.
I take my hot chocolate back into the living room and curl up on the single seater watching over Harley. He looksso peaceful in his sleep, the tension leeched from his body. The only other time I’ve seen him so at peace since I’ve been here is when he’s working on his art.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, my thoughts drifting to our almost kiss before Tom delivered the devastating news. Harley had been leaning in, eyes fixed to my lips. There’d barely been any space between us. Selfishly, I’m wondering whether he still feels the same–does he still want to kiss me? Because one thing I’ve realised isIwant to kisshim.
With a sigh, I turn on the television and cue up the next episode ofThe Vampire Diaries.
“LILY,” TOM WHISPERS, shaking me awake. I blink up at him in confusion. My neck is stiff, and it takes me a moment to remember why I’m asleep in the loungeroom.
I sit up straight, my eyes flying over to Harley, who is snoring softly on the couch where I left him. “How’s your dad?” I ask when I turn back to Tom.
“Dad’s stable for now. The hospital will call Conrad when the test results come back. There’s nothing we can do before then.” He glances over at his brother before running a hand over his tired face. “You should go to bed. That doesn’t look comfortable.”
I shake my head. “I’m good. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
Tom studies my face closely. “What’s going on between you two?”
I avert my eyes, picking at an imaginary thread on my t-shirt as I recall the confusing conversation with Harley when we got home from his fight. “I don’t know,” I finally admit, my cheeks flushing.
“Do you like him?”
“Yes.” My voice is barely more than a whisper. I don’t know why it’s easier to admit my feelings to Tom than it is to Harley, but it’s getting harder to ignore that I have developed feelings for him beyond friendship.
Tom sighs. “Lily–”
Harley groans, and we both look over at him. He yawns and stretches before his eyes flutter open. When they land on Tom, he flies up into a seated position. “How’s Dad? What time is it? When did you get home?”
“Happy birthday, mate,” Tom says, forcing his voice to be upbeat and cheery.
“Happy birthday,” I parrot, trying to twist my lips into a smile.