Fight With Me

Chapter 12

Josie's POV

I open my eyes to see Lizzie sleeping in the bed next to me. I try to roll over to my other side, but something is holding me in place. I look down.

Hope.

Her arm is draped around my stomach, holding me there like she's afraid I'll disappear. I look around and finally realize I'm in Hope's room, not mine. Carefully, I peel her arm away just enough to turn so I'm facing her. I lean forward and press a quick kiss to her nose.

Hope scrunches her face, rubbing at her eyes as they flutter open.

"Good morning, princess," she murmurs, eyes still closed.

"What time is it?"

She reaches for her phone, squints at the screen. "One."

She drops it back onto the nightstand and pulls me into her again, squeezing too tight.

"Hope," I laugh quietly. "I can't breathe."

She loosens her hold but doesn't let go completely.

⸻

Hope's POV

We change quietly so we don't wake Lizzie. It feels weird being careful in my own room, but I don't want to deal with her mood this early. Most people should be in class by now since it's Monday, but Alaric gave us the day.

I toss Josie one of my hoodies before we head downstairs.

We run into Alaric in the hallway.

"Hey," he says. "Hope, can you stop by my office when you're done eating?"

"Yeah. About forty-five minutes," I say.

He nods and keeps walking.

Josie freezes the second he's gone.

"He knows," I say, already smiling.

She stares at me. "You could have warned me."

"I told him last night. I just forgot to mention that part."

She shoves me lightly, and I catch her hand.

"Come on," I say. "I'm starving."

⸻

Alaric's POV

There's a knock at my door.

"Come in."

Hope drops into the chair across from my desk, way too comfortable.

"You didn't tell Josie I knew, did you?" I ask.

She laughs. "Nope."

Figures.

"I need your help reinforcing the boundary," I say. "Emma's handling most of it, but I'd rather be safe."

She nods.

"And after that," I add, already regretting it, "I'm not micromanaging you two today. Just, be responsible."

She grins and leaves before I can take it back.

⸻

Josie's POV

I grab a food tray for Lizzie and head back to Hope's room.

She's awake when I walk in.

"Hey," I say, handing her the tray. "I brought you food."

"Where's Hope?"

"With dad."