Me: I like to be there by 5 on Monday’s, but if that’s too early then don’t worry about it :)
West: Not too early. I’ll be there.
Me: OK
I wait for him to reply, but nothing comes. Letting out a little sigh of disappointment, I get up from the couch and put away my empty containers. My stomach still feels upset but the burger and fries helped a little. I decide to take a shower and call it an early night, so I fill Pumpkins dishes, lock up the doors and windows, and head to the bathroom.
In and out of a fitful sleep all night, around three in the morning, my tummy finally protests and I make it to the bathroom just in time to expel all its contents into the bowl. My skin is slick with sweat, and I spend the next few hours heaving into the toilet. I send Sarah a quick text around four and let her know I won’t be making it in today. She replies quickly, already getting ready for work, telling me not to worry, that her and Wren got it covered. Finally feeling a bit better and like I can’t possibly have anything left to vomit, I crawl back into bed under the warmth of my covers and fall back asleep.
Soft knocking on my front door rouses me, and when I glance at my phone, I see I have three missed calls from West. Realizing I forgot to send him a text, I get out of bed, and even though my stomach is sore and I’m sure I look as awful as I feel, I head down the hallway and unlatch the front door.
“West, I am so sorry,” I tell him.
He takes in my appearance and then reaches out brushing his fingers against my forehead.
“Hey, you okay?” he asks, looking concerned. “You’re burning up.”
I try to smile at his concern for me, but I feel my stomach lurch, and with wide eyes, I turn away and run down the hall, making it to the bathroom just in time to heave into the toilet. I feel West behind me before I hear him, and I am so embarrassed. I can’t believe he just saw me puke. Holding back the tears from forming in my eyes, I feel West crouch next to me, placing a hand on my back and rubbing soothing strokes.
“What can I do?” he asks. “Do you need water or a cloth or anything?”
Heart melting at how caring he is, I give him a sad smile. “I’m okay, you don’t have to be here.”
“I’m not leaving you, Jade.”
I sigh. “I don’t want you seeing me like this,” I tell him.
He lets out a huff and doesn’t stop rubbing my back. “Jade, you’re pale and very warm. I’m not leaving. Let me take care of you.”
Blinking away the tears in my eyes at his kindness, I look over at him, which is when I realize he’s not wearing his uniform. “Oh God. I didn’t make you late for work, did I?” Guilt eats at me. I know how important his job is.
“Nah,” he says, brushing a piece of hair back from my forehead. “I don’t work today.”
I blink. “You don’t…you don’t work today?” I ask, confused. “Oh my gosh, please tell me you were not up this morning just to drive me into work!?” My stomach clenches again.
“Shh. It’s okay.” West comforts me. “And it’s no problem. I wanted to drive you.”
I can’t believe this man. Awake before five in the morning on a day he wasn’t scheduled to work, just so he could drive me.
“You are something else, you know that?” I smile. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
I sit back, closing the lid and flushing the toilet before trying to stand. West holds onto my arm and helps me get to my feet. My legs are weak, and despite West claiming I’m burning up, I feel anything but. My teeth begin to chatter, and I’m eager to go lie back down.
“I think I’m just going to go back to sleep, if that’s okay?”
West helps me across the hall to my room and tucks me under the covers once I’m in bed.
“I’m just going to get you some water. You get some rest, okay?”
“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyelids already closing.
I fall asleep before he makes it back with my water, and when I jolt awake a couple hours later, I feel a warm hand on my forehead.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” a masculine voice says through the haze.
“Sheriff?” I blink until I’m fully awake and see his silhouette above me. “You’re still here?” I ask, thinking I must not have slept for as long as I thought.
