Brandon's POV
I carried the tray upstairs with both hands, careful not to let the plates slide.
The house had been too quiet all evening.
Not peaceful.
Quiet in the way a room became quiet after somebody had said something that could never be taken back.
I reached Seth's door and knocked twice.
Nothing.
I pushed it open slowly.
The curtains were drawn, leaving his room washed in a dim blue-gray light from the lamp beside his bed. Seth was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.
He hadn't changed since earlier.
His hair was a mess. His eyes were swollen. His face looked strangely empty.
I hated seeing him like that.
I stepped inside.
"You missed dinner."
His eyes moved toward me, but his head didn't.
"I wasn't hungry."
"I figured."
I crossed the room and placed the tray on the small table beside his bed.
There was chicken and rice, some vegetables, and a glass of water.
Nothing fancy.
Just food.
"Get up."
He sighed.
"Brandon..."
"Come on."
