Page 25 of Fighting For You
“Okay. Yeah. Good idea. Then I’ll leave.”
He didn’t say anything, which wasn’t a shock, so I gingerly sat up. Good grief, a small elfin community was hammering for diamonds in my brain.
The cat brushed against my legs, then placed a paw on my knee and leaned up, extending his furry neck and sniffing. I leaned down, letting him do what he needed to before petting him.
“Bones, give her some space.”
His gruff words made me look over right as he arrived with a plate and another mason jar, this time filled with an orange drink.
“You named your sweet fluffy cuteness machineBones?”
His eyes narrowed and, in another life or state of consciousness, I might’ve thought he was concealing a smile.
“He becomes a little bag of bones when you pick him up.” He settled next to me on the couch. “Eat.”
On the plate was a piece of toast with what looked like butter and jam. My stomach pitched. “I don’t think I can.”
The corners of his mouth pulled down. “Then drink. It’s just orange juice.”
I couldn’t think of something I wanted less except… everything… and I knew getting something in my stomach would be good. I took a sip, then another. After a few minutes of this, him patiently but unswervingly watching, he held up the plate again.
I shook my head. “I can’t.”
“You can.”
“I really can’t. I’ll puke.”
His expression didn’t change. “Then you’ll puke. But you can’t keep taking medicine on an empty stomach, and you need more.”
A thought wormed its way in. “Wait, what time is it?”
“Around four.”
I bolted upright. “In the morning? No. No… I was just going to take a little nap.”
He did the squinty thing again. “You slept for almost ten hours. I figured you needed the sleep, and I kept tabs on your temp. But it’s past time to get some more meds in you, so eat up.”
Without my permission, my eyes flooded and I blinked back tears. “I am so so sorry. This is?—”
“Jess.”
The vehemence in his voice startled me.
“Stop apologizing.”
My lips firmed and I swallowed hard.
“You can’t help that you’re sick.” He held up the plate and gave me a glare that clearly expected me to take another bite.
I took a tiny one, praying my stomach wouldn’t turn.When it didn’t, I ate a bit more, and took the medicine he’d put in a little plastic cup.
“As soon as it gets light, I’ll go.” I coughed into my elbow, trying to minimize the spread of whatever this was. He’d hate me even more if I got him sick, too.
The hard look he gave me said he didn’t agree with my plan.
“Seriously, I’ll get out of your hair.”
He did his usual glare thing, but somehow, it didn’t come off as arrogant or infuriating. This time, I couldn’t read the emotion behind his gritted teeth and slow inhale.
