“Sorry, sweetheart. You’re burning up way worse than before. Just lie here and rest. Miriam and Malachy ordered supplies. I’m going to run down and grab the thermometer.” He brushes his lips over my forehead, and I’m grateful that he held me up in my bathroom as I brushed my teeth. Even having cleaned up, I still feel sweaty, and I can’t smell great.
Patrick told me Lucky fell asleep, and I’m relieved to have help with him, but I also feel that same gnawing guilt. He’s only used to being around me, and Mrs. Bailey when he’s at day care.
The mommy guilt is back in full force, but even I can admit, I’m in no condition to look after him right now. My abdomen cramps, and it’s so severe that I pull my knees up to my chest. The way my jeans dig into my stomach isn’t helping, and I rip myself out of them in a haze, kicking them toward the bottom of the bed.
The cool air is like heaven for a few seconds before I start shaking. I ache to roll up in the blanket and burrow, but Patrick was right.
I’m burning up.
My eyes ache, and every inch of my skin throbs. Pushing up on my arm, I rip my shirt off, tossing it aside with little care.
I forgot how miserable heat spikes can be. A whimper escapes as I fight the urge to burst into tears.
I need those pills, but I’m afraid they won’t help.
The doctor wasn’t wrong.
I’ve been on them for longer than is recommended, but I’m a single mom.
I can’t be away from my kid for a week every three months. If I had a pack, things might be different, but I don’t have a support system.
“Jesus,” Patrick hisses, hitting his knees next to the edge of the bed. “I’m right here, Charlotte. Can you open your mouth for me?”
I do, and he shoves the thermometer under my tongue. Bringing my hand to the device, I relocate it so it doesn’t jab into my skin.
“Sorry,” he says, grimacing as he cradles the back of my head with his hand. “Give it a few more seconds, and it should be done.” I breathe through my nose, and his smoky campfire scent almost makes me whine. “You’re okay. I’m going to take care of you. Lucky is fine. You’re both safe…”
I can tell he’s trying, but tears still spring from my eyes as another intense wave of cramps ravages my pelvis. The device beeps, and he plucks it free of my mouth.
“Fuck.” He rips off the cover and clicks the button to turn off the incessant chirping.
“What was it?” I ask, swiping at my eyes.
“108.9,” he says, digging into one of the bags he brought back with him. “That’s high, but it’s not at the level where we need to take you to the hospital. Can you sit up enough that you’ll be able to swallow a pill or two, or do you need help?” He studies thebottle of fever reducers before popping off the lid and breaking the safety seal.
I shake my head. “I can’t take those. My stomach is already churning.”
“Do you think that could be a reaction to the fever?”
“I honestly don’t know, but I’m afraid to know what those taste like when someone throws them up.”
“That is a possibility.” He uncaps the bottle of water, holding it out to me. “You haven’t eaten yet today, at least not that I’ve seen. That probably isn’t helping. Look, I don’t have all the answers, but the research I did said the first step was fever reducers. Well, that or you sweet-talk one of my brothers into shoving their knot inside you.”
I push up on my forearm until I can lift my head enough that I’ll be able to take the medicine without pouring water all over myself.
“But not you?” The words aren’t even fully out of my mouth, and I already regret them.
He chuckles. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d prefer to take my time. I don’t like the idea of your biology rushing you into anything, and you’re more comfortable with Malachy and Cormac.”
He offers me the pills, and I chuck them into my mouth.
Is he ever going to hand me the bottle of water?
Apparently not.
He tips it to my lips while cradling my skull in his other hand. I take several small sips, pulling back before I can drink too much and make my stomach hurt even worse.
He screws the lid onto the bottle, stands, and tugs his T-shirt off with a hand at the back of his neck.
