“I don’t mind at all. He looked in great spirits today. He asked if I talked to you, and I told him not yet. He told me to tell you he loves you.”

Her heart burst in her chest. “He’s a doll. I think they’re gonna keep him an extra couple days. His respiration levels are a bit down.”

“That’s what he said, which we are fine with. I’d rather have you here to move him back. Though we can handle it, I think it would set your mind at ease.”

Brie’s lips curved at the sides. She wasn’t sure how Dawn had figured her out so quickly, but God bless her for it. “Yeah, it would.”

“Good, I thought so. I made sure he was comfortable. Brought him some sweets, and I’ll go back in the morning. I think Trish is going to go stay the next couple nights. Thank God that girl is single and has no pets.”

“Oh, is she gonna stay? She doesn’t have to.”

“She wants to. She knows Rodney is having problems sleeping. She thinks her being there will help. Plus, Vaughn is paying her to. Girl loves some money.”

Vaughn.

Pressing her lips together, Brie asked, “He’s paying her extra to stay?”

“Yeah, we talked this morning. I told him about how Rod isn’t sleeping well, and he set it up.”

Good to know someone was talking to him. Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Oh, okay, that’s good.”

“Yeah. Okay, well, love, I have to go. I gotta go teach some English.”

“Okay, thank you, Dawn.”

“Of course. Enjoy your dinner.”

“I will, thank you.”

Hanging up the phone, she set her phone by her plate and rolled her eyes. She was worried for Rodney, she was, but her annoyance with Vaughn Johansson was something she hadn’t expected. Though, they’d made no promises to each other. She just couldn’t believe he’d come in, fucked her, and left. It was so disrespectful. But then, it wasn’t like she stopped him. Who could? Her willpower was shot when it came to him. She wished she felt a little disgusted by that, but she didn’t. He worked her in ways she hadn’t even realized she liked, and she wanted so much more.

She wanted him.

But after that last afternoon, she wasn’t sure if there was more.

That pissed her off. She was finally accepting that she didn’t even want a man. That she wanted to just do life, get by, and live the best way she could, but then Hurricane Vaughn had to come through and blow that all to shit. She wasn’t ready. Not even in the least, and she wasn’t sure what to do about that. Should she confront him? Ask him what his deal was? Because she had been in California with him for three days, and he had said nothing to her.

Nothing.

It was downright rude, and she was beyond annoyed.

Digging into her steak and potatoes, she was about to take a bite when her phone started to chime with a FaceTime call. It was Rodney.

Laying her fork down, she smiled as she answered. “Hey, bub.”

He looked pitiful with all the cords attached to his chest as he held the phone out, a smile on his face. “Hey, B, how’s it going?”

“It’s going. We just got into San Jose.”

“Cool. Good game last night.”

She smiled. “It was. You watched?”

“I did.”

“I’m surprised. I thought you didn’t like hockey.”

“I have to watch Vaughn.”

She laughed. “Of course.”

He grinned, his little face rosy. “Did you get my candy?”

“I did. I had someone go out and get it for me because I couldn’t make it.”

“Awesome. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

“I figured, so I got a big box.”

“You rock.”

“I try. How are you feeling?”

“Tired. Really tired.”

Concern filled her face. “Do you want me to ask them to give you something to help you sleep?”

“I don’t like the way it makes me feel.”

“Okay, well, you tell them if you need something. They’ll call me, and I’ll authorize it.”

“Okay. Trish is on her way.”

“I know.”

“I’m happy about that.”

“Good. Me too.”

His brows pulled together. “Are you okay?”

She shrugged. “Yeah, why?”

“You look mad.”

Great. She looked mad. If he could tell, then probably everyone could. Shaking her head, she smiled. “I’m fine.” When he yawned loudly, she laughed. “Why don’t you try to go to sleep?”

He nodded. “Yeah, maybe I’ll try.”

“Good. I love you.”

“I love you more.”

She waved at the phone, and he did the same before the call ended. Sucking in a breath, she let it out slowly before setting her phone down again and beginning to eat once more. After the Assassins had landed, unloaded their bags, and checked in, everyone had gone to dinner, but Brie decided not to. Not only did she have to call Rodney, but she wanted to be alone. She was annoyed. She hated how infuriated she was that Vaughn wasn’t talking to her. What had she done to deserve that? She’d thought he was different. She had misread him like crazy, and that bothered her.

She trusted him, and he broke that.

Again.

“Hey.”

Jumping a bit, surprised, she looked over to find Mekena. “Hey, y’all are back already?”

“Yeah, we got burgers, quick and easy. Plus, everyone wanted to come back and drink. I saw you and wanted to say hi before we went upstairs.”

“Gotta get it in before curfew?”

She smiled. “Yup.”

“Well, don’t let me keep you.”

“Oh, you’re not,” she said, waving her off. “Markus is outside with Jayden, on the phone with Lucy. She just found out she’s pregnant, and they’re trying to figure out a creative way to tell Benji.”

Brie’s mouth dropped open as she aww’d loudly. “That’s so sweet!”

“I know, we’re all pretty excited.”

“That’s so cool you guys are so close like that.”

“Yeah, the Sinclair family is amazing. I love it, and they treat me like I’m a part of them, so it’s nice.”