Simon Says Die

make any predictions. I could keep losing muscle function and become completely dependent on others for my care. Or I could stabilize and live a long, relatively healthy life. They just don’t know.”
    â€œThat must be incredibly frustrating.”
    He cocked his head, studying her. “You’re not at all what I expected.”
    â€œWhat you . . . expected?”
    â€œYou know, for a party girl who dumped my brother to scope out the dating scene in New York.”
    Her face flushed with heat, and she jumped up from her chair.
    â€œHold on a second,” he said. “Okay, okay, I admit that was out of line. I shouldn’t have said that. Don’t go.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why shouldn’t I?”
    He waved his hand toward his wheelchair. “Because I’m a cripple, and I’m lonely?”
    The puppy-dog look on his face was so ridiculous she couldn’t help but laugh.
    â€œOh, fine. But no more insults.”
    She plopped down in her chair.
    â€œThose were my words, by the way, not Pierce’s,” he said. “Pierce was much more diplomatic when he explained about the breakup.”
    â€œI’m not talking about that anymore.”
    â€œWhat were their names?”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œThe guys you dated. You did tell Pierce you were”—he raised his hands and did air quotes—“ ‘moving on.’ ” He lowered his hands. “What’s wrong? Can’t make up any names fast enough to answer the question?”
    â€œOf course I can.” She flushed, realizing how that sounded. “I’ve met several . . . ah, really nice guys.” She waved her hand in the air, desperately trying to think of a name, any name. “There was, um . . . John, and uh, Mike, of course.”
    â€œDo John and Mike have last names?”
    â€œI came in here to help you, not play games.” She shoved her chair back again.
    He grabbed her arm when she started to get up, holding on with surprising strength. “You know what I think? I think you lied to my brother. I think you’re still hung up on him. I saw the way you were looking at him when he opened the door. That’s not the look of a woman who has moved on.”
    She shook off his hand and shoved back from the table. “My feelings for Pierce are none of your business. What is it with this family? First, Alex, now you. You sure know how to make a stranger feel welcome.” She gripped her chair to stand, but he moved forward, using his wheelchair to block her way.
    He grinned. “Did Alex lecture you? He’s good at that.”
    She glared at him and wondered why she’d liked him earlier. She didn’t like him at all right now.
    He cocked his head again. “If you really wanted to date other guys, you wouldn’t act so defensive. So I have to conclude you lied to my brother.”
    She clutched the chair in frustration. “What do you want from me?”
    â€œTit for tat. I shared personal details with you.” He waved his hand toward his wheelchair. “How about you do the same? Just between you and me. Answer one question, honestly, and we’re even.”
    She crossed her arms. “What’s the question?”
    â€œDon’t insult me by pretending you didn’t lie to Pierce when you broke up. The real question is . . . Why did you lie?”
    She forced a swallow past her tightening throat. “I never wanted to hurt him. I hated leaving the way I did,” she whispered.
    â€œYou still care about him.”
    â€œYes. Always”
    â€œThen why did you lie?”
    â€œBecause I couldn’t tell him the truth. I needed him to let me go. I had to tell him something awful, to make sure he wouldn’t try to stop me.” She drew in a ragged breath.
    He backed away, his expression smug. “My work here is done. I’m starving. I think I’ll go outside and grab a thick, juicy steak.” He looked past her shoulder. “Oh, hey, Pierce. I didn’t notice you there.” Austin winked at Madison and wheeled out of the kitchen.
    Damn. Madison’s pulse thudded in her ears. She took a deep breath and slowly turned around.
    Pierce was standing in the kitchen doorway. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed. She braced herself for his accusations, his barrage of questions.
    Without a single word, he turned and walked away.
    T HE