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sit beside her.
    “Ellie—” I start.
    She sniffles and rotates into me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pushing herself hard against me. Tears drop onto me as she buries her face into my shoulder.
    “Baby, you’ve got to tell me what’s wrong.” I pull her to me, nervous. I haven’t seen her like this since Liam died, and back then, we were both a mess.
    “Just…hold me, okay?” she rasps out.
    I nod against her, wishing I could comb my fingers through her hair, but she has it piled on top of her head. Instead, I massage my fingertips over the back of her neck to soothe her. Damn, I wish I would’ve answered my phone last night, I think again. She needed me—and not for sex.
    Nurses I don’t recognize pass us, and I’m glad as hell they don’t know me. Lately, I’ve found myself caring about what the oncology nurses think of me, like if they approve, maybe there’s hope that I can be good enough for Kate.
    And god damn it all, I’ve fucked that up again, being down here with Ellie. Already my body is reacting to having her against me. Her scent, so different from Kate’s, flows through me, and I have to reach between us to adjust my boner.
    When Ellie leans back and wipes her eyes, I miss her in my arms. Having her close to me felt like I was doing something for her. Now, I’m just the douche bag sitting beside her.
    “I’m sorry,” she apologizes, though I don’t know for what.
    “What happened, Elle?”
    She swipes her palms down her thighs, and I can’t help staring at the motion and wishing her jeans were on the floor. Because damn, those thighs around me are something else.
    I’m rock hard at the thought.
    “Um, yesterday when Dad came home from work, Mom said she thought he looked pale. I went over for dinner, and he was acting strange. Then he collapsed. I called 911. They said it was a massive stroke, and today they said it caused a lot of damage. That…that he won’t be able to walk again.” Her fist flies to her mouth to hold back the sobs.
    At almost twenty, she shouldn’t have to deal with this yet, but Ellie’s parents are older. I don’t know what to do for her except gather her up in my arms again. Her head rests on my shoulder, and I feel her lips press against my neck.
    From Ellie, I don’t need more of an invitation than that. I’ve been there for her in lesser circumstances, and I know how to take her mind off things when shit hits the fan. It’s what brought us together.
    “Come on. I’ll help you get to sleep,” I say, extending my hand.
    She hesitates, glancing at the door to her father’s room. “I don’t know if I should leave my mom by herself. What if…?”
    Ellie reminds me of Liam—always considerate. It’s probably why they were so good for each other. Like Liam, Ellie’s one of the good ones—unlike me.
    Instead of lingering in the past, I do what I do best: I take Ellie down Asshole Lane with me. “She’s a big girl, Elle. She’ll be fine for a while.”
    I don’t wait for her to decline my offer. I take Ellie’s hand and lead her outside. Sure, she should stay with her mom, just like I should be in Kate’s room right now, but I justify my actions by convincing myself I’m taking care of Ellie. I’m keeping my promise to my brother.
    Flurries swirl around us as we jog to my car. It’s parked on the back edge of the parking lot, and at this time of night, there are few vehicles this far out. I dig out my keys from my pocket and unlock the doors.
    “Backseat,” I say, then I feel up her ass as she climbs in.
    After I shut her in, I slide into the driver’s seat to start the car and crank the heat. It’s damn cold outside, and I need Ellie to be comfortable, not distracted.
    I jump to the backseat with her and get to work, sucking on her neck. She moans softly and tilts her head to the side, giving me better access. Fuck, I missed this.
    I move slow, even though I’d rather tear her clothes off and plunge inside her as quickly as