Page 2 of Let’s Be Real

Ade: Probably.

Me: Did you not take your temperature?

Ade: I’m not a child. I don’t own a thermometer.

Me: That doesn’t make sense. Are you delirious?

Ade: Maybe. The room was dancing for a while. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t real, but I can’t be 100% certain.

“Shit,” I murmured.

Will let out another bull-like gust of breath. “Let me guess, Adrian needs your attention.”

“He asked me to bring him medicine.”

“We have reservations,” he replied tightly.

“His place is on the way, and we’re early. I’ll be in and out in five minu—”

The car careened sideways before I could finish speaking, knocking my head against the window and the air from my lungs. It took several seconds to understand he’d parked at the curb in front of a pharmacy, and even more to catch my breath. Once I did, I thanked him as I hurried out of the car, only a little more than halfway hoping he’d drive away as soon as my feet hit the sidewalk.

When Adrian didn’t answer the door, I let myself into his condo. Will followed close behind, a death grip on my waist.

“Ade?” I called, tucking my key back in my purse. “I’m here.”

His living room was spotless except for a crumpled blanket on his sleek leather sofa. He wasn’t anywhere close to a neat freak; he just didn’t have many possessions. Not even a throw pillow to rest his head on or a trinket from a trip. Buying things like that would never occur to him.

His voice was far off and wobbly. “Back here.”

My heart immediately climbed into my throat, and I spun to Will, pressing my hand to his chest. “Please stay out here. He won’t want you to see him sick.”

It took a long beat, but finally, he nodded. “Fine. Just get in and get out. I don’t love the idea of you breathing in his germs.”

“I’m sure I’ll be quick.” Leaning in, I kissed his cheek. “Be right back.”

He caught me before I could go and smashed his mouth against mine. My teeth dug into my upper lip before he swept his tongue into my mouth and groaned. He dipped me back, kissing me deeply, scrambling my brain with the unexpectedness of it all.

As soon as I started to regain my equilibrium, he brought me upright again and stepped back, sweeping his eyes over me. He straightened the bodice of my dress and smoothed a hand over my hair.

“Hurry,” he said gruffly. “I’ll be here.”

“Okay.” Slightly dizzy, I spun around and hurried toward Adrian’s bedroom.

This was how Will kept reeling me in. What he lacked in patience and safe driving ability, he more than made up for in…well, sex. He kept me sated and my mind ever-so-slightly fuzzy so I never fully formed a concrete opinion of him. In the back of my orgasm-soaked mind, I knew this wasn’t healthy, and I often thought I’d do something about it; then he’d kiss me silly again, and I’d forget.

Maybe that wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t like speeding was a character flaw.

Or was it?

I shook my head and peered into Adrian’s room. All the lights were on, even the big one above his bed. This was where his mess was contained. Papers scattered on surfaces, laundry overflowing his hamper, cups stacked precariously on the edge of his dresser. He didn’t usually like to let me see the evidence of his humanity.

In the center of it all, Adrian was curled up on his mattress, blankets tangled around him, eyes squeezed shut.

“Adrian?”

The furrow in his brow deepened, and his chin lifted slightly in my direction, but that was the movement he made. I rushed across the room, climbing onto the bed with him, and skimmed my fingers along his sweaty forehead, nearly hissing at how hot he was.

“Oh, buddy. You definitely have a fever,” I murmured.