Kai’s POV
Stop staring at her.
I’m not staring.
You’re staring. Our best friend is dying four feet away from you, and you’re staring at Talia’s mouth like it’s the only thing in this room worth noticing.
I shoved the thought down hard. Dan had never been subtle, but this felt new… sniffing around the edges of my attention while Ryker lay grey and shaking three feet away. I dragged my eyes off Talia and made myself focus on the room instead.
I glanced at Ryker the way I did every time I walked back in. Half hoping. Half dreading.
His dark hair was damp, stuck flat to his forehead. His cheekbones had sharpened. His shoulders looked thin under a t-shirt gone grey with sweat. His lips were cracked. His eyelids twitched like his body was still fighting something in his sleep. The bandage
