Page 43 of Sliding into Love
“Oh God, I think they’re probably planning a wedding.”
I grin at her, sitting back and picking up my drink. I raise it to her as if to toast. “It’s a good thing you’re getting married next month then, isn’t it? They couldn’t possibly get anything arranged before then, and oops, you’ll be off the market.”
Claudia smiles, raising her glass to tap against mine. I didn't expect to find an ally here at the party, and definitely not someone who could help me come in clutch with this, but I already feel a million times better.
While I wish I could be there with Royce—to take care of them, feed them the food, and make sure they were covered—I know they’d probably fight me, considering they don’t like to be babied, and they’re very dominant in their own right. But everyone deserves to be taken care of when they don’t feel well.
This is my own little act of doing so.
I can only hope it doesn’t blow up in my face later.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ROYCE
My stomach grumblesin a sound that would be better fitting for a movie about aliens than inside of a human. I clutch the pillow to my stomach, groaning as another wave of nausea hits me.
The worst of it has passed, thank goodness. I've been sick for a few hours now thanks to the health food concoction Austin had me split with him for breakfast this morning. No one else drank it, and they're all fine. Austin, while looking a little worse for wear when I was downstairs earlier, merely belched like a frat boy after a keg stand.
Then again, the man has an iron stomach. I do not. Lesson learned, I guess.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Blinking slowly, I realize I must have fallen asleep at some point. I guess my body needed the time to recuperate. While there's still an ache present, I'm no longer feeling as if a mad dash to the bathroom will come at any minute.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Ah, yes. The sound that woke me up. Someone clearly wants to see me.
I manage to grumble out, "Come in."
The door swings open, and Bellamy walks in with an oversized rectangular box balanced on his shoulder. I push myself up to sit and stare at him.
"What in the world is that? I thought we already opened all the presents this morning."
He shakes his head, then eases the box onto the edge of my bed. The room that I grew up in is more refined to my adult taste; however, it is still very much filled with my favorite things. That includes the king-size bed I requested once Bellamy got his in middle school. Not because I actually needed it at the time, but because I was jealous of all the space he had to spread out and sleep. Seeing him in this space is a reminder of that time.
With the box on the bed, I'm able to see inside. Several containers of food cover the entire thing, along with an item wrapped in foil.
"You received a get-well package," Bellamy says, voice careful like he's worried how I'll react.
"A package for me? Someone sent all this food?" I ask, leaning forward to look deeper at the contents.
I shift the items around, wondering who could have sent them and what in the world it all is. From first glance, it appears to be… Mexican food. The distinct scent of cilantro, onion, and fresh tortillas rises to greet me.
For a moment, I worry that I'll get sick again, but instead my stomach gives a rumble that signals hunger. Makes sense considering how sick I was earlier. There can't be anything left in me. Plus, everything smells delicious.
Bellamy laughs, then reaches into the side corner of the box and pulls out a card. "I didn't open it, and I didn't let anyone else. I had to fight Jake off because he wanted to be nosy, so I expect you to tell me exactly who it is after you’ve read it. Everyone is buzzing with the need to know. There might be a riot if I don’t come back with details."
I blink at him. "They want to know who sent me food?"
A part of me suspects who it could be. The question is, how did he know to send me anything? I haven't spoken to him at all today.
Bellamy shakes his head and extends the envelope closer. "Rules are rules. Open it up." He crosses his arms as soon as I take it from him.
I peel the lid of the envelope open and slide the card out.
I heard you weren't feeling well. Hopefully this makes things better. Thinking of you and wishing for a fast recovery.
