15. Birthday Cake and Chocolate Shakes #3
Eventually, the banging down the hallway quieted, and as I watched Sara out of the corner of my eye—she got sleepier and sleepier, until her head finally did tip onto my shoulder, making me hyper-aware of every point of contact.
I sighed contentedly, relishing in the feeling, and while I didn’t dare move, I was watching the hallway like a hawk, just in case .
When the credits started rolling and Sara still hadn’t moved, my heart thundered in my chest, wondering what to do.
Should I wake her up? Carry her to bed? Sleep right here, sitting up, so I didn’t disturb her, while she got the rest it looked like she so desperately needed?
I was not about to ruin possibly the best moment of my life.
Her wine glass made the decision for me—it was still in her hand and barely upright, threatening to make a mess at any second, as it tipped little by little, getting alarmingly close to spilling.
As I reached for it, she made a tiny noise, and her fingers tightened around the glass just before I could grab it.
Her eyes fluttered open. “What time is it?”
“Late.” I murmured.
She pushed up to stand, but when she stumbled, I shot up—hands instinctively going to her waist as she swayed. “You good?” I swallowed hard because she felt so impossibly frail beneath my grip.
“Mhmm,” she clutched the wineglass, and my heart sank.
I swallowed hard, trying my best to sound casual. “You want me to finish that for you?”
“Helps me sleep.” She said, tucking the glass into her shoulder before heading towards her bedroom. Her hand trailed along the wall for stability. “Night.” She called.
“Sweet dreams.” I sighed, and let my head drop back onto the couch.
I had to do something.
It was party day, and I was standing at the stovetop making eggs, panicking about the fact that Sara hadn’t even bothered to open the candy I’d brought her when she strolled into the kitchen.
She offered me a small smile as she turned the electric teakettle on.
“Can I make you some eggs?”
“No thanks.” She didn’t look at me as she started digging through the loose-leaf tea drawer, and my chest tightened.
Frick. I stared into the pan, treading very carefully. “I make a mean blueberry oatmeal, what about that?”
She shook her head, and my shoulders sagged as I stared at my eggs, suddenly not feeling very hungry myself.
“What about a walk after breakfast?”
“A walk?”
“Yeah, just a short one.” I shrugged. “Might be nice to get some fresh air.”
“I don’t think so.” She immediately shot me down.
“Come on.” I stared into the pan, frantically trying to salvage my idea. “We could go look at the puppies. It’s only a couple blocks away.” I snuck a glance as her mouth twisted, getting ready to say no. “I’ll even carry you if you get tired.” I offered.
“I don’t know.” She clutched an empty mug, deciding.
“Please?” I stuck out my lower lip, switching tactics—making it about me. “I really wanted to see the puppies.”
“Alright.” She folded almost instantly, and I grinned, grateful my new strategy worked, but heartbroken all the same.
She’d do it for me, apparently, but not for herself.
My sweet, sweet girl. She needed to find some strength to take care of herself, otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to do it for anyone else. I wondered if she knew that.
When we started our walk, I was so proud of myself for luring her out of Liam’s penthouse.
I genuinely thought the fresh air would be good for her, but Sara was so incredibly winded by the time we’d hit the first crosswalk that I suddenly realized this might have been more of an undertaking than I’d planned for .
“You want a piggyback ride?” I asked, starting to wonder if we should just go back upstairs.
“I’m not that pathetic, am I?” She winced, already out of breath.
“I’m just saying it’s your birthday weekend and piggyback rides are free. Limited time only.”
She scoffed at that, but it didn’t meet her eyes. “I’m fine.” Only she wasn’t. We didn’t make it to the puppies because Sara collapsed before we got there.
“What the hell did you do?” Liam yelled before I was even all the way through the door.
“She fainted.” I shouted frantically, heading towards the couch with Sara limp in my arms. “Call a doctor.”
“I’m fine.” Sara muttered weakly, eyes fluttering.
“Like hell you are,” Liam basically snarled.
“ Call the damn doctor. ” I demanded, my voice cracking.
“I’m fine.” She insisted, except she definitely wasn’t.
Several hours later, Sara was sitting upright on the couch, scowling like her life depended on it.
An IV tube was in her arm, hydrating her, and a prescription protein shake was sitting on the table in front of her, untouched .
Supposedly, it would help her gain back some of her weight—it was like liquid rations, and I expected it tasted about the same, because after one sip, she didn’t touch it again.
I’d never known blinking could look so furious, but as Sara stared at me, blinking furiously, it was the scariest thing I’d ever seen.
“Drink the shake.” Liam demanded sternly.
“This is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted.” She argued vehemently.
“You’re being dramatic. ”
A furious narrowing of her eyes. “Why don’t you try it, then?”
“Fine. I will.” He sipped and failed miserably.
“Come on.” I groaned when Liam’s eye twitched, and he struggled to keep a straight face.
“It can’t be that bad. Pass it over.” I’d eaten all kinds of nasty food on long assignments.
When push came to shove, you’d eat whatever you needed in order to stay fueled.
This chocolaty-looking shake couldn’t possibly—I took a sip and had to force myself to swallow as I held back a grimace.
“It’s just a little bitter.” I conceded as neutrally as I could muster.
False. It was possibly the worst thing I’d ever put in my mouth. I bit back a cough as the sludgy, gritty texture coated the back of my throat.
Gina waved her hand, looking determined.
“Give it here.” But her eyes went wide, and she immediately gagged, chasing it down with whatever highly caffeinated drink was probably in her pink tumbler cup.
“That’s awful .” She covered her mouth with a grimace.
“Oh, Liam, she can’t possibly drink that, it’s inedible. ”
“If you would just try to eat some solid food.” Liam started, but the look Sara gave him was crushing.
“You know I try, I just can’t.” Her voice was so small, and Liam looked utterly crushed as she continued.
“ Now, will you cancel the surprise party? I don’t want everyone fussing over me, especially while I’m all hooked up.
” She looked like she was considering ripping the IV straight out of her arm, and I was grateful she was clearly too exhausted to actually do it.
His shoulders sagged. “Is that what you really want?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes, leaning back against the couch. “I appreciate all the work you put in, but I’m just not up for it.”
Shit, I think I just single-handedly ruined her party.
Gina left to deal with a work emergency, and between Liam and me, saying we waited on Sara hand and foot would have been an understatement.
We were just about to cue up another girly movie, that we had to pick because Sara kept saying she didn’t care, when Liam muttered under his breath.
“Fucking hell.” He stood up, texting furiously, and disappeared into the kitchen.
When he reappeared, he had his jacket on, and he dragged a hand through his dark hair.
“I have to take care of something at the restaurant.”
“Now?” I asked incredulously.
“I’m sorry.” Liam apologized profusely to Sara. “I wouldn’t go if I had any other choice, but this is—I just have to take care of this. I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise.”
“Go.” Sara lamented, limply waving him away. “I’m fine, stop your worrying, you can leave me with my babysitter.”
I walked with Liam down the hallway. “What could you possibly have to do at the restaurant that’s so important?” Something passed across his expression that made my chest tighten. “Liam?” He only shook his head, begging me not to push. “Liam, what’s going on?” I demanded quietly.
“Keep an eye on her.” He gathered his keys and phone, heading for the door. “And do me a favor,” he sighed over his shoulder, locking eyes with me. “Keep your hands to yourself and no midnight walks, please.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “No fresh air, got it.”
Something was definitely off with him, and it wasn’t just tonight. He’d been more distant than usual lately, but I supposed he was dealing with his grief in his own way. Doing the best he could. We all were.
I wandered back into the living room, not totally heartbroken by the situation.
“Can I get you anything?” I asked.
Sara sighed. “My sanity?”
“Darn, I’m fresh out of that.” I snapped my fingers.
The corner of her mouth pulled. “Thought so.”
“Seriously, anything at all?” I swallowed hard, listing things while she shook her head no . “Ice cream? I could have someone come do your nails? I know, I’ll go get you one of those puppies.” I offered, not joking in the slightest.
“Thank you, but really, I’m fine.” She gave me a weak smile.
“Do you want to open your gift?” I asked nervously.
Her eyes shifted. “You got me a gift?”
“Don’t get too excited.” I shrugged and gripped the back of my neck. “It’s small.”
Her whole face lit up, making my heart stutter as she nodded. “Of course I want to open my gift.”