Chapter 6

A low, steady voice broke through the air like a lifeline as we neared the bar.

“Gabe, you’re late getting home. Don’t you know your brother worries about you?”

We all turned.

Standing by the side of the road was a tall, skinny teenager in a faded denim jacket. His clean-cut appearance and quiet strength were undeniable.

“Your brother?” one of the bullies asked suspiciously.

I hesitated, but seeing my chance, I nodded rapidly.

“Yes, that’s my brother! You’d better let me go, or he’ll make you regret it!”

I had someone to lean on for the first time and didn’t hesitate to use it.

But my bluff was short-lived.

One of them squinted at him and laughed. “You’re full of crap! That’s Lachlan Merritt! His dad drank himself to death, and his mom was bedridden. No way he’s your brother!”

Lachlan Merritt.

The name tickled something in my memory, but there wasn’t time to dwell on it.

My lie was exposed, and the bullies yanked me forward again.

Lachlan wasted no time. He charged forward like lightning, taking down two before anyone could react.

The others scrambled to retaliate, but he held his ground, even against all six.

By the time the bullies limped away, he was bleeding but unbowed.

“Are you okay?” I whispered, holding out a tissue.

He frowned, waving me off. “It’s nothing. Don’t make a fuss.”

I grabbed his chin firmly, forcing him to face me. “You need to take care of small wounds. Leave them alone, and they’ll get worse!”

I knew that better than anyone. If my fever had been appropriately treated, I wouldn’t have a limp today.

He softened under my scolding.

“How long has this been going on?” he asked.

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “Just a month or so.”

He looked down, guilt shadowing his face. “This is my fault.”

“What?” I frowned, confused. “How could it be your fault?”

That’s when I learned the truth.

Lachlan was a friend of my cousin, Finn.

Before Finn left for culinary school, he’d asked Lachlan to look out for me.

Out of guilt for what had happened with Baby and my resulting fever, Finn had carried the weight of responsibility ever since.

While Finn’s guilt had grown into overcompensation, Mom’s disdain for me had only deepened.