Demonically Tempted (Frostbite 2)

Eddie’s incredulous voice sounded behind me. “Did you not know he was here?”

The sight of Eddie was blurry through my tears. “How is he here?”

“Okay.” Eddie shifted on his feet, seemingly mildly uncomfortable as his cheeks flamed. “You didn’t know he was in a coma.”

“A coma?”

I turned toward Kipp and squeezed his hand. Even though he never returned the hold it didn’t much matter. Feeling him for real had been something I never expected, and my heart clenched. I lowered my head against his stomach, feeling the hardness of the abs I longed to touch, and let the tears flow wildly.

Who knew how much time passed, but when a hand settled on my back, I glanced up. Zach, ever so strong yet compassionate, gazed down at me. “Come here, Tess.”

I flung myself into his arms and he wrapped himself around me. How could this be? I raked my brain trying to remember anything that came up about this. But no one had told me. Maybe I missed it. Maybe I was so wrapped up in myself that I hadn’t seen it. But how could I miss something this important?

“I’m sorry.” Zach cradled me to his chest, holding me close. “I thought Kipp told you.” He moved away from me, but kept me in his arms. “I think with all that happened it just took a backseat to what we were dealing with in the now.” He sighed deeply. “Shit, I thought you knew, but figured Kipp didn’t want to talk about it since you never said anything, so I didn’t want to bring it up.”

Eddie added, “I tried a couple times, but Zach finally knocked sense into me.” He rubbed his shoulder, as if at a memory, and I took that to mean that Zach did so literally. “We didn’t want to upset Kipp anymore than what he’d already been through. And the fact that you hadn’t talked about it, we thought it was an off-limits conversation.”

“All right,” Brandon cut in. “Y’all are starting to freak me out. Why are you talking about Kipp like he’s with you?”

I sniffed, willing myself to stop crying to figure this all out. “Because he was here. That is, until recently.” I ignored the way Brandon gawked at me like I’d lost my mind since my thoughts were too centered around what this meant. “Kipp didn’t know about this.”

Zach looked at me incredulously. “He didn’t?”

I shook my head, slow and steady. “Trust me, he didn’t know.” But didn’t that explain everything? This was why he’d been so different. He wasn’t a typical ghost because he wasn’t dead. “He’s been here the whole time?”

Zach nodded. “Yeah.”

I remained in Zach’s arms, but examined the monitors, and the breathing tube. Normally, I’d hate to see someone I love under this type of care, but considering that I thought he was dead, this was a blessing. “How’s he doing?”

“Exactly the same,” Brandon interjected. “The doctors can’t understand it. He shouldn’t be in coma. He should have recovered, but hasn’t, so I’m taking him off life support.” Darkness drifted over his features, bottom lip quivered. “If he comes back to us, then so be. If not, I’m letting him go.”

“You are not.” I tore out of Zach’s arms and rushed Brandon, pushing him so hard he went flying to land in the chair behind him. “Don’t you even fucking think about it.”

Eddie chuckled, as did Zach.

“I believe that’s my right as his brother.” His gaze shifted toward the bed before it returned to me. “Kipp wouldn’t want this. It’s been too long and we’ve seen no improvement. It’s time for this to end.”

“Wanna fucking bet?” I bit back.

He studied me with a tight set to his lips. “Who are you, anyway?”

“Kipp’s girlfriend.”

Brandon snorted and all but rolled his eyes at me. “He doesn’t have a girlfriend. I’m his brother. I would know.”

“Well, I didn’t date him when he was living. I dated him when he was dead.” I hesitated at the shock rippling across his face, then clarified. “That is, or I thought he was dead.”

His eyebrows shot right up to his hairline. “Is this some sick fucking joke?” He glanced at Zach, and gestured to me. “Who’s this freak?”

I resisted my urge to punch him since this did seem crazy. “I’m not lying to you.” His focus returned to me, but he didn’t seem convinced. “I can see ghosts and I’ve been seeing your brother since he got shot.”

He paled. “Pardon?”

“You know me, Brandon,” Zach cut in. “You know I’d never believe in this shit.” He smiled at me, placed a hand on my shoulder. “But she’s proved it, time and time again. Kipp’s been with us.”

“I’ll vouch to that,” Eddie added. “As fucked up as it is, the woman has gifts.”

Brandon laughed, somewhat nervously. “Please tell me you’re kidding.” His tone deepened. “And if you are, you’re a bunch of bastards since this isn’t the time for jokes.”