Page 132 of Need You To Choose Me

“Can you tell me now what’s going on?” I ask softly.

He nods, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “I messed up, and I don’t know what to do. Levi… He’s sick.”

Sick?My fingers dig into his shoulders harder as my mind starts coming up with all the different scenarios.What did he mean by sick? I saw Levi this morning in class, and he was fine.

“Where is Mrs. Maxwell? Is she at the house with him?”

Daniel shakes his head. “She’s not here. Her son called that his wife went into labor and asked her to come, so I said I’d take care of Levi. I assured Dad that I could do it. Levi started complaining shortly after Mrs. Maxwell left that he wasn’t feeling well, but I thought he was faking it because a few guys stopped by, and we were playing video games and wouldn’t let him join us.” His cheeks turn red in embarrassment. “Only he wasn’t lying. He has a fever, and he’s throwing up, and I don’t know what to do.” He swallows hard, looking away. “Dad said to call him, but he’s away, so it’s not like he can do anything, and I didn’t know who else to call. And you said…”

He didn’t have to finish because I remembered the promise I made him not that long ago vividly.

If you ever need me, no matter what or when my door will always be open to both of you.

Daniel presses his lips together, his fists flexing and relaxing by his sides. I can see he’s fighting with himself. He wanted to be brave and keep the promise he’d made to his father, but he was in over his head. This couldn’t have been easy for him. To come here and ask me, of all people, for help. Yet he did it. Because he knew it was the right thing to do.

“You did well in coming here,” I reassure him, loosening my grip on him and rubbing over his arms. “Where is Levi now?”

“Home.”

“Okay.” I nod, letting my hand drop. “C’mon, let’s go check in on your brother.”

The relief that flashes on his face is almost palpable. “You’ll come?”

“Yeah.” Closing the door behind me, I start toward the house across the street. “Does he have a fever? Or just throwing up? Maybe he ate something bad?”

“He was hot when I checked, and I didn’t see him eat anything.” We enter the house and slowly start climbing up the stairs. “He suddenly started to throw up. I tried to give him some Tylenol, but he couldn’t keep it down.”

Just then, as if he were waiting for us, a loud retching sound comes from one of the rooms.

“Shit!”

I don’t bother reprimanding Daniel as I hurry my pace.

The first thing that hits me when I step into the bathroom is the smell of puke. My stomach rolls uncomfortably, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from gagging.

Levi’s small body is lying on the floor, his back pressed against the edge of the bathtub. His clothes are rumpled, and there is a puke stain on his shirt, like he couldn’t make it in time to the toilet.

Daniel is already sitting on the floor next to his brother, shaking his shoulders. “Levi? Wake up.”

Levi murmurs something groggily, turning his head. His cheeks are bright red, lips slightly parted. Moving closer, I crouch down and press my hand against his forehead.Shit, he didn’t just have a fever, he was burning up.

“Do you have a thermometer? I want to check his temp before we try to give him any medicine.”

“Yeah, it should be here somewhere.” Daniel looks at his brother for a moment longer before he finally gets up and disappears out of the room.

I gently brush Levi’s hair out of his face. His locks are sweaty, curling at the ends. “You’ll be okay,” I whisper softly.

“S-Sav?” Levi blinks his eyes open. His gaze is blurry as he watches me, a frown appearing between his brows.

“Hey, buddy.” I shoot him an encouraging smile. “I’m here. How are you feeling?”

Levi’s tongue darts out, sliding over his chipped lips. “My t-tummy is hurting.”

“I know, baby, but we’ll have you feeling better in no time. You’ll see.”

“I w-want D-Daddy,” he hiccups, his eyes filling with tears.

I wanted Blake here too. He’d know what to do. How to make his son feel better. But he wasn’t here.

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