“You’ll have to join me when it’s raining. That’s my favorite time to be in it.”
“You use it in the rain?” He seems genuinely perplexed, like nothing about sitting in the rain sounds fun to him.
“Oh, yeah. It’s the best. I love it in the snow too, but we don’t get that here.”
“Where did you live that you had snow?” he asks.
“Washington. My wife… well, ex-wife and I met in college in Olympia and moved here after we got married so she could be closer to her family.”
Vince looks like he wants to ask more, but he closes his eyes. After a few minutes, he shifts in his seat, face pinched as he rubs his temples.
“Here. Drink some water.”
He squints hard as he reaches for the bottle, and it slips through his fingers when he tries to grab it. With a curse, he fishes it out, uncapping it slowly. After taking a few swallows, he sets it on the ledge, then quickly turns to lean over the side, as if he’s going to throw up.
I move to sit beside him, touching his back. His skin is hot to the touch—too hot. Fuck. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. “Are you okay?”
Vince doesn’t answer for a long time, his breaths coming out slow and labored. “I don’t—I don’t feel good suddenly.”
“Let’s get out.”
He tries to stand, but his legs buckle. I quickly put an arm around his waist. “Easy, big guy. I’ve got you.”
He moves unsteadily, gripping the edge with all his strength as he swings each leg out.
I help him up the deck and into the house. He’s shivering even though his skin is still too warm, drying the water quickly.
“What’s happening to me?” he asks, rubbing his temples again.
He’s clearly asking himself that question more than me, but I answer anyway. “You got overheated.”
He glances at me, then curses under his breath in disbelief. “Didn’t think it would matter. I take hot showers every day.”
“Yeah, well. A hot tub is different. Not only is it hotter than a shower, but you’re sitting in it. And with all that steam…”
He looks away, ashamed. “I guess. Sorry.”
“No, don’t be. We’re both learning what you can handle now. It’s okay.”
I go to the fridge and grab a neck cooler from the freezer before draping it around his neck. Vince immediately drops his head back in relief.
“I use these at work all the time. They help. But I’m going to draw you a bath. So sit tight.”
“What? Why?”
“To cool you down. I used to do it for Georgie when she got overheated in the summers.”
“I don’t need—”
“Yes, you do, Vince. You’re way too hot right now.” I touch his forehead to emphasize my point.
Vince cracks a smile. “I could take that as a compliment.”
My stomach flutters, surprised that he could flirt when feeling so shitty. Wait,ishe flirting? I can’t be sure. I didn’t think Vince was gay.
“Stay here,” I say, squeezing his shoulder.
There is no way Vince will fit in the tiny bathtub in Georgie’s bathroom, which means he needs to use mine. I go through my bedroom to the master bath to start the water. It takes a fewminutes to find a temperature that is cool to the touch, but warm enough to be comfortable.
