Hunter comes in from the kitchen and stops by Piper’s side, wearing a look of concern.
Cheeks heating, I sit up. I hate causing a scene. It brings back memories of when I was fourteen, when my thyroid betrayed me and I couldn’t get out of bed.
“Ry, maybe you should lie down?” Hunter suggests.
The front door opens before I have a chance to reply, and Story and Hudson filter in. They’re both smiling from ear to ear, carrying donut boxes. The scent that follows them—cinnamon and caramel—makes me nauseous all over again.
I launch myself to my feet and scurry to the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I vomit up the meager contents of my stomach.
When the nausea subsides, I creep into my bedroom and crawl under the blanket. I’m flying home in two days. Whatever this is—a stomach bug, maybe? Food poisoning?—needsto go away by then. To ground myself, I pull my phone from my shorts pocket and type a new message to Hayden.
Me:
Tell me something good about your day. Literally anything will work.
Hade:
I woke up.
I snort.
Me:
Come on. You can do better than that.
Hade:
In my circumstances, the fact that I woke up means it’s a good day.
Me:
Okay. Then I’m really glad you did.
Hade:
What happened?
Me:
Food poisoning is ruining my life.
Hade:
So dramatic.
Me:
I’m blocking you if you don’t start being nice.
Hade:
- This is me begging for your forgiveness.
Hade:
And I’m sorry you don’t feel well. Food poisoning sucks.
Me:
