Page 73 of Make Me Swoon

“That sounds promising,” Niall says and I realize that he didn’t hear the part about Phoenix being sick.

“Phoenix is sick,” Finn tells him.

We don’t say anything as we go back to lifting our weights. When we stop between sets, I can’t hold back from asking them what’s been on my mind all day.

“How do I do this with Phoenix without messing it up? I can’t have things go bad between us. I can’t have her leaving Faith and me,” I admit to them and for once, Niall doesn’t have a smart comeback for me.

“I think you should take things slow. Get to know her,” Niall says after a minute.

“And be honest with her. Let her know about you not wanting her to leave both of you,” Finn adds.

I nod, knowing that they’re probably right. I need to be upfront with her about my concerns before we start anything.

“Is that why you’re so slow today?” Brooks asks as he comes over to join us and I have to wonder just how much of our conversation he heard.

“Yeah, I barely got any sleep. I think I might actually head out early and take a nap before I have to go get Faith from school.”

“Yeah, tell Phoenix that we hope she feels better. I think Sylvie was going to stop by your place to check on her this afternoon but let me know if you guys need anything.”

“Thanks,” I tell them as I rack my weights and grab my things.

“See you later,” they say with a wave and I nod distractedly as I head for the locker room.

It doesn’t take me long to get my things and head for the door. Traffic is light and I make it home in no time.

“I’m home,” I call, and I hear Phoenix groan from upstairs.

“She’s still throwing up,” Sylvie says with a wince as I poke my head into Phoenix’s room. “I brought over Gatorade, crackers, and some soup.”

“Thanks, Sylvie.”

“I need to head out, but let me know if you need anything.”

“I will, thanks.”

Sylvie grabs her purse and I walk her out before I head back upstairs to check on Phoenix.

“How are you feeling?” I ask as she drops back down onto her bed.

“Like death,” she croaks and I nod sympathetically.

“Can I get you anything?”

She shakes her head, wrapping the blankets around her as her eyes fall closed. I leave her to get some rest and go to my own room to take a shower. I check on her when I get out and she cracks one eye open.

“Do you need anything?” I ask sleepily.

“No,” she says through a yawn, and I sit down on the edge of her bed to feel her forehead.

“What are you doing home so early?” she asks after a minute and I yawn again.

“I was too tired. I’m going to take a nap before I go get Faith,” I tell her.

She nods, moving over in bed and I must not be thinking clearly because I lay down next to her without thinking.

My eyes drift closed and before I tip all the way into unconscious, I reach over and grab Phoenix’s hand.

“When you’re feeling better, do you want to go out with me?” I ask her sleepily.

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