There’s a kindness that emanates from her and I can’t help but feel at ease in her presence.

I’m not sure why or where it’s coming from, but something tells me she’s a good person and I can trust her.

“No wonder my brother’s in love with you.” I rise up on my elbows, attempting to stretch a little because being bedridden sucks. “Not only are you gorgeous, but you seem really easy to talk to.”

Knowing I have to make an effort with Jace’s girl too, I turn my focus on her.

Unlike Sawyer, who’s wearing a cardigan and long skirt, this girl is wearing tight jeans, boots, and what looks like an old black t-shirt with some faded decal on it.

Her outfit would look weird on anyone else, but somehow, she makes it work.

“You have great style.” I give her a genuine smile so she doesn’t think I’m bullshitting. “Maybe when they let me out of here, we can go shopping sometime.”

The girl and Sawyer exchange a wide-eyed glance that seems to last forever.

That’s…unnerving. “Did I say something wrong?”

I was just trying to make a good impression and get to know them a little.

“No,” Sawyer assures me. “You didn’t say anything wrong.”

Sawyer gives her a look, prompting her to speak.

The girl crosses her arms. “I’m gonna go check on Jace.”

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this girl isn’t my biggest fan.

I don’t understand why though because we hardly even know each other.

Maybe it’s time to change that.

I decide to start with the basics. “I’m sorry, I never caught your name before.”

The girl stops to look at me. “Dylan.”

I study her features for what feels like an eternity and that’s when it dawns on me.

Well, shit.

She’s the Dylan.

“You’re Jace’s girlfriend?” I clarify as she bolts for the door.

She stops short. “Yup.”

“They live together,” Sawyer adds.

If that’s the case, she must make Jace happy. I just hope it wasn’t at the expense of Liam’s happiness.

A peculiar thought hits me.

Maybe it’s why he hasn’t shown up.

Maybe it hurts too much to see them together.

“How does my brother feel about this?”

Dylan raises an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure Jace—”

“Not Jace,” I clarify. “How does Liam feel about you and Jace being together?”

She has to know he’s in love with her. It’s obvious to anyone with a pulse.

The girl turns ashen, like she’s just seen a ghost, and then quick as lightning…she’s gone.

My eyes flick to Sawyer. “I don’t—”

“Hey,” Jace says, entering the room. He gestures to the tray he’s holding. “Lunch is here.”

“What is it?”

I really hope it’s not vegetable soup or another apple.

He inspects the tray. “Well, there’s chocolate pudding.” He places the tray on the table beside me. “And your favorite—vegetable soup and an apple.”

Ugh. Pretty soon I’m going to turn into apples and vegetable soup.

“Thanks.” Reaching over, I pick up the spoon, opting for the chocolate pudding instead. “I’m not trying to be mean or anything, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to come here anymore.”

She ran away like a bat out of hell when I brought up Liam which can only mean one thing.

She hurt Liam.

Jace’s eyebrows pinch. “Who?”

“Dylan.”

His jaw tics. “Why?”

“Because she’s the reason Liam hasn’t shown up. He doesn’t want to see you two together, Jace, and I can’t blame him. It can’t be easy watching your own brother be with the girl you love.”

His face falls. There’s so much agony in his eyes it makes me want to take the words back.

But I won’t. Because someone has to stick up for Liam.

Be his voice when he doesn’t have one.

“Yeah,” he says softly. “Yeah, okay. If that’s what you want, I’ll tell her not to come up here anymore.”

“Jace.” Sawyer glares at him. “I really don’t think that’s—”

He holds up a hand, cutting her off. “I’m gonna go check…” His sentence trails off as he backs out of the room.

Chapter 5

“I wasn’t trying to upset him. I love Jace and I want him to be happy. I just don’t want Liam to feel like he can’t be around his family, you know?”

Dr. Wilson—or Walter as he told me to call him—jots something down in his notebook. “Let me get this straight. You think if Dylan keeps her distance, Liam will come visit you.”

“I hope so.” A pang of sadness shoots through my heart. “Jace and Liam weren’t just brothers, they were friends. It can’t be easy for Liam to see him with Dylan.”

“Just to make sure I understand—in your mind, keeping Dylan away from Jace protects Liam.”

Eureka. Finally, he’s starting to get it.

“And Jace,” I clarify. “Given she hurt Liam, who’s to say she won’t hurt Jace one day, too?”

He folds his hands. “I see.” He clears his throat. “Now that we’ve got that squared away for now, I think it’s important we talk about your mother.”

And just like that, pain wraps around my heart, squeezing me so tight I can barely breathe.

“You said I didn’t have to talk about anything I didn’t want to,” I remind him.

“That’s correct.”

“Well, I don’t want to talk about her. Not today.”

Not ever.

It hurts too much.

“Have you figured out why she’s not eating yet, doc?” Cole interjects from the doorway of my room.

Dr. Wilson looks at me. “You aren’t eating?”

As if on cue, Jace pops up behind Cole. “Not since yesterday morning.”

Tattletales.

The psychiatrist adjusts his glasses. “Why aren’t you eating, Bianca?”

“I’m just not hungry, Walter.”

Truth is, I’m starving, I’m just so sick of what they’re serving here.

And sure, Jace and Cole have brought me outside food, but it isn’t any better.

Just a bunch of fruit, veggies, and other gross, bland, healthy stuff.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were subliminally trying to get me to lose weight, but according to my nurse I’ve never been overweight, and I’ve lost seven pounds since I’ve been here.

Therefore, I’m really not sure why they’re shoving all this healthy crap down my throat every day, but I wish it would stop.

Walter strokes his chin as if pondering something. “If you could have anything in the world to eat right now, what would it be?”

It takes me less than two seconds to answer. “A big, greasy, bacon cheeseburger with ketchup and mayonnaise.” I drum my nails on the railing of my bed. “And a big side of fries and pickles.”