“You fell asleep on the couch,” he says. He glares hard and holds the back of his hand against my forehead, then the side of my neck. “But your face is beet red. You’re burning up. I think you have a fever.”
“Really? I can’t be sick. I’m…” But as soon as I try to sit up, it hits me.
My head is pounding like someone drove a dump truck across my forehead. My throat feels scratchy when I try to say anything, and despite my best intentions, I can’t muster the energy to sit. All I can do is slump my head right back where it was against the back of the couch.
Jax’s worried voice breaks through my fog. “I was just sick with the flu. I must have given it to her.”
“Don’t you worry, little man. I’ve got meds, and your mom doesn’t have to work until Tuesday, right? The shop’s closed today and tomorrow?”
“I can’t believe you remembered that,” I whisper.
“I pay attention to the shit that matters,” he says. “Jax, you go play with the girls. Swim if you want. Last night, a couple of my friends packed up some things from your room and brought them over. You probably have some shorts or something you can swim in. I’m going to get your mom tucked in.”
“Mom, is it okay?”
“Go ahead, honey.”
I hear Jax’s feet pound toward the back doors, and Phantom yells, “Girls, if you’re going to kayak, get Jax a vest! Vests on if you’re on the channel!”
I squint open my eyes. “Phantom, I don’t want to get you and the kids sick. I’ll call my mom…”
He doesn’t answer but, instead, slides his hands under my knees and picks me up off the couch like I weigh nothing. He’s so strong, so warm.
I let myself be carried up the stairs, but to my surprise, he doesn’t take me to the guest room at the end of the hall. He turns the opposite direction, toes open a door, and puts me on top of a massive king-sized bed.
Hisbed.
“Wait here,” he says.
I don’t think I’d have the strength to move if I tried.
He’s gone maybe five minutes before I feel him sit on the bed beside me. “Take this.”
I look down at the bottle of maximum-strength cold and flu medicine and the large glass of water. I don’t even argue. I take the cup of medicine, drink it down, and wash it back with water.
“Thank you.”
“You can thank me when you’re better. Now, rest. I’m going to bring you tea with honey. What else do you want?”
I feel his hand stroking my hair back from my face. I open my eyes and shake my head weakly. “I can’t let you take care of me. I…”
He rests his head on my forehead, his dark-blue eyes blazing as he looks at me. “You can and you will. I’ll have clothes and shit brought over from your house. You’re going to stay in this bed and rest and let me take care of you and Jax until you’re better. You hear me?”
“Okay,” I whisper, finally giving in, closing my eyes, and sighing.
Phantom tucks me in a little tighter, and then I feel him go still. He’s on the bed beside me, but he’s not moving or saying anything. He sits there quietly until the room goes dark behind my eyes. His blankets are so cozy, his bed so perfect. Everything in my body hurts, but I smell him and feel his presence close to me.
Before I know it, everything goes dark.
12
PHANTOM
“Jax! Come inside a sec,”I shout through the patio doors, relieved to see the kids all wearing their life vests. I’m happy to see they are not only getting along, but they’re doing the right thing while they’re outside on the channel.
Jax bounces across the lawn, his longish brown hair flopping over his eyes. “Hey,” he says, looking worried. “Is my mom okay?”
“She’s great,” I assure him. “I’m going to send some guys over to check on your house and grab some things for your mom. You cool staying here until your mom’s better? I’ll get you to school tomorrow, so backpack, clothes, whatever you’re going to want.” I hold up my phone. “If they missed anything when they brought over your stuff, tell me what’s missing, and I’ll get it.”
