Chapter 8 #2
I cocked her head using a finger. “Talk to me. What is it? I thought we were good after the other night. A ceasefire of sorts or something like that.”
The pads of my fingers tingled where we touched. Over the last minute or so, my skin had made more contact with hers than it had in the past five years combined.
She closed her eyes. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
“It’s not nothing. Can you please not shut me out when we’re having a conversation?”
She opened her eyes one at a time. “Happy?”
I couldn’t leash in the smile that broke free on my lips. “Better.”
“FYI, we’re not having a conversation. You are the only one talking.”
“Why are you answering me then?”
Some of the fight left her, but she kept her stance rigid. “I owe you nothing.”
“Mel… Help a guy out. I can’t fix whatever is wrong between us if I don’t know what is actually wrong between us.”
“I’ve never asked you or expected you to fix anything.” She bit her lower lip. “I… You…” She raised a finger between us. “Hold that thought.” She ran away, her hand cupping her mouth. Seconds later, she threw up in the same trash can as before.
“Okay. I don’t care if you hate me right now. I’m driving you home.”
“No.”
I bought a bottle of water from a vending machine behind us and twisted the cap off before placing it in her hand. “Drink.”
She wiped her mouth, then raised her hand toward the bottle. “Don’t boss me around.” She took a small sip, nonetheless. “Your team is waiting for you on the field.”
I handed her the bottle cap, and she screwed it back on. “They’ll survive. It will give Summerfield a chance to show what he’s made of.”
“Summerfield?”
“He’s QB2, and the guy has no chance of being the starting quarterback this year as long as I’m playing, so I’m sure he’ll enjoy taking my spot at practice. Follow me.”
She dug her heels in and refused to move. Under the recessed lights, her skin appeared greener than it should be.
“What about Tanya?” she asked.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “What about her?”
“You two looked like you had plans for later. Don’t change them because of me. I can take care of myself.”
“No plans with Tanya. Nope. Not happening.”
She watched me with a curious gaze.
“Mel, I swear. She’s the last person on my mind.”
I didn’t let her argue or question the statement, just lifted both our book bags and hauled them over my shoulder.
Holding her hand in mine as if it were a common occurrence between us, I led Melinda outside to my car.
She didn’t try to remove her hand from mine, which gave me hope we could really put the past behind us once and for all if we tried.
After I helped her sit on the passenger seat and closed her door, I rounded the car and fired the engine.
I hadn’t even pulled away from the parking lot when she started shivering.
I cranked on the heat, and warm air blasted through the vents.
I kept my window an inch down so I wouldn’t be the one barfing due to the suffocating heat enveloping us as I drove her home.
We stopped at a red light, and I pressed my palm to her forehead. “Whoa, you’re burning up. How long have you been feeling sick?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been having this pounding headache for the last two days. It’s not going away. And then I had the chills during third period. I couldn’t eat anything at lunch because my stomach hurt, so I’m thinking food poisoning or indigestion. Anyway, I’m sure it’s nothing. A virus maybe.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s not nothing.”
She heaved beside me, and I passed her the plastic bag I kept in the pocket behind my seat. “Just in case.”
“Thanks.”
We made it home five minutes later.
“Are you okay on your own?” I asked as I helped her out of the car, then kept a hand on her lower back in the event she required some support.
“Yeah. Don’t worry.”
I noticed the empty driveway. “Where are your parents?” They were usually home early, and their cars were always parked by the garage door by four o’clock.
Melinda closed her eyes and inhaled. I bet the cold air helped with the nausea. “Out of town. My dad had a work thing, and they’re spending the night in Traverse City.”
“In that case, I’m spending the night here.”
She stared at me and blinked twice. “No. You are not. That would be awkward. It’s just a stomach bug. Nothing sleep and a hot shower won’t cure. I’m not your responsibility, Mason.”
I shrugged. “Too bad. It’s not up for discussion.” We entered the house after I stole the key from her and unlocked the door.
“Mase.”
“Mel.”
“I’m safe and sound. Go back to practice or whatever you do in your free time.”
“Don’t be silly.” I pointed to the couch. “This is my bed for the night.”
“No. You’re too big for the couch.” A snicker exited her mouth, and the sound soothed a part of my soul. “Go home, Mase. I’m sure your bed is much comfier and has more room for your stupidly long legs, as Paige would say. I’ll call you if something’s wrong.”
“We’ve never even shared contact info.”
“Oh…”
I opened my palm. “Gimme your phone. I’ll rectify that.” I added my number and handed it back to her.
“I have your contact info now, so you can go.”
“No nonsense. Sorry, but I’m not leaving. You shower, change, and go to bed, and I’ll play nurse for the night. Your face is a scary shade of pale right now. It’s not a good look on you. You really shouldn’t be alone.”
Melinda looked at her device and giggled, the sound a melody to my ears. A tinge of pink colored her otherwise grayish complexion. “Nurse Pierce?”
I grinned. “Yep. Now, if you are a nice enough patient, I’ll reward your behavior.”
Her eyes lit up. “And what’s the prize?”
I pushed my hands into my pockets. “Not sure yet. It depends on how good a girl you are and how much you listen to Nurse Pierce’s orders.”
“And what if I don’t?”
“Then that’s for you to find out.”