“Oh, uh. Yeah, I think so. I’m going to have everyone clear out, though, okay?”
“What’s wrong?”
Lily looked over his shoulder, past the living room and down the hallway.
“Look, she asked me not to say anything, but Mae isn’t feeling well. She went into your room a few minutes ago, and I think maybe she just needs a calm and quiet night. Hosting was a lot to put on her shoulders.”
“Shit. She got sick this morning but told me it was nothing to worry about. I wonder if she caught some sort of stomach bug.”
“That might be it. But don’t let her dismiss anything if shereally isn’t feeling good. And call me if you need to. I can come right down and help.”
Alarm bells started going off in his mind. Was Lily worried something else might be wrong?
“Thanks for looking out for her.” Stone turned back to his friends. “Hey, Mae isn’t feeling well, so I’m going to check on her. You guys are welcome to stay if you want.”
“No, no.” Gunner wrapped his arm around Lily. “We’ll clear out. After we make sure everything gets put away.”
“Thanks. I know I was a dick before, but I appreciate you all.”
“Go.” Nash smiled. “Check on Mae. Let her know we hope she feels better soon.”
“Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.”
Stone turned, making his way down the hallway as fast as he could. He opened the bedroom door, his heart tumbling in his chest at the sight of Mae curled up in their bed.
“Mae?”
“Hey.” She smiled. “What are you doing in here?”
His hip rested against hers as he sat on the edge of the bed. She looked exhausted, the light from her phone illuminating the angles of her face in a harsh way that highlighted just how tired she’d been looking since he woke up in the hospital. Stone brushed aside a few wisps of hair that had fallen over her face before resting his hand on her forehead. No fever.
Her wrist was his next target, and her heartbeat was there under his fingertip a few seconds later. Strong. Steady.
Her brow’s furrowed, clearly questioning what he was doing.
“Lily said you weren’t feeling good. Why didn’t you come get me?”
“I just needed to lay down for a minute. Apparently I need to brush up on my hosting skills. I got wiped out so fast.”
“You need to be resting.”
“Says the boyfriend who was shot,” she jabbed back.
“To the girlfriend who ran on adrenaline for the entire time his lazy butt laid in a hospital bed.”
Mae laughed, pushing herself up and settling against the headboard. His hands moved to rest on her hips and she gasped.
“What?”
Mae shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. Is this about what you promised to talk to me about tonight?”
He didn’t think it was possible, but she looked more exhausted after his question. “Mae. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Come lay down on your side of the bed. Cuddle with me?”
Stone pushed off the bed, walking around to his side before pulling his shirt over his head and wiggling his pants off. Now, properly in his sleeping attire, he slipped beneath the comforter and rolled, facing Mae with his arms open.
