All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)(82)

Evie had been in the house two days. In the end, Rafe, May and Shane had been the ones to fly out to get Evie. Clay had stayed behind to get the room ready and order any medical equipment she might need for her recovery. May and Shane had delivered her while Rafe had stayed behind in Los Angeles to take care of loose ends.

Evie had spent the first twenty-four hours in a somewhat drugged sleep. The doctor had said that was the best thing for her. Now she was awake and had Shane running for the hills.

“You’re kind of an embarrassment,” Clay told his brother as he pushed past him.

“We’ll see how long that cocky attitude lasts,” Shane called after him. “She’s going to eat you for breakfast, little brother.”

“It’s two in the afternoon.”

Clay knocked once on the partially closed door, then stepped inside.

Evie lay on the hospital bed he’d rented, her leg elevated. A cast covered her right leg from ankle to midthigh. She was pale and thin. Her long honey-blond hair was spread across the pillow. She didn’t bother to look at him when he entered but he knew when she did, her eyes would be green. Different from her brothers and her mother—a reminder of the mysterious man who was her father.

“You scared Shane,” he said by way of greeting. “Impressive.”

“Go away.”

“Sorry, no. I’m the entertainment portion of your visit.”

The guest room got plenty of sun. Big windows let in light that sparkled on the hardwood floor. The regular bed had been moved out to make room for the one he’d rented. There was also one of those hospital-style tables on wheels. Crutches leaned against the wall, although as far as he knew, Evie was doing her best to avoid getting up. That included eating and drinking. Her untouched lunch was still on the tray.

He sat in the chair by her bed and took her hand in his. She had long fingers. She was built like a dancer—small boned, lean and elegant. But since he’d last seen her, she’d gone from fashionably trim to bony.

“Are you eating at all?” he asked.

“Not today.”

Not recently from the looks of things. “Evie, hey. It’s me. What’s going on?”

She turned her head so she could look at him. The complete lack of emotion in her eyes cut him way more than anger. “Go to hell.”

“Are you in pain?”

“Do I need to be in pain not to want to be here?” She deliberately pulled her hand free of his hold and turned away again.

“You know you were hurt, right?” he asked, wanting to make sure she understood what had happened.

“The cast on my leg was a big clue, but thanks for the clarification.”

“You’re in Fool’s Gold. In Rafe’s house.”

That got her to look at him again. Now irritation flashed in her green eyes. He figured it was better than nothing.

“I have a fractured leg, not a head injury. I know where I am. What I object to is being here at all. You had no right to drag me here without even asking me.”

He wanted to point out that technically he hadn’t been part of the dragging team, but didn’t think that would facilitate communication.

“You’re injured. You should be with your family.”

“And that’s you?”

“Sure. We talk.” He knew he stayed in contact with her more than anyone. “Why are you taking this out on me? I didn’t even know you were a cheerleader. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“When was I supposed to do that?”

“We’re on the phone every couple of weeks.”

“Right. Those meaningful calls. ‘Hey, sis, it’s me. How are you? Need any money? Great. Gotta go. Love you.’” Her mouth twisted. “Not much of a chance to share the personal details you’re suddenly so interested in.”

Clay wanted to say it wasn’t like that. Except he knew it was. When he remembered to call Evie, the contact was brief. From her perspective, meaningless. A duty call.

“Tell me about being a cheerleader,” he said. “I want to know.”

She motioned to her leg. “Does it matter? I’m not going to be back on the squad anytime soon.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me, too.”

He didn’t know how to help or what to say. “Evie, you’re my sister. I care about you.”

“Then get me out of here. Take me anywhere that isn’t near Mom or anyone else I know. I’ll recover in peace.”

“You’re going to need help. The fracture isn’t deep, but it’s tricky. Then you’ll have physical therapy. Mom wants to drive you.”

“I’d rather never walk again.”

Clay’s instinct was to defend May, but he knew better. Her relationship with Evie had always been difficult. Not just because of the mother-daughter thing but because May had always felt guilty about her one-night stand a few months after the death of her much-loved husband. Evie had been the result.

Clay had been too young to understand what had happened. All he knew was that one day he had a baby sister. As he was the youngest brother, he’d been the closest to her. A sad state of affairs, he realized, thinking about how much everyone else had ignored her.

He knew this wasn’t the time to tell his sister that Rafe and May were packing up her apartment and moving her things to Fool’s Gold. She would be healing for a couple of months and everyone had decided she would be better off closer. Not that she would appreciate the decision.