She frowns, looking around the room, her eyes moving to the windows. “Why are the windows barred up?”
Jagger shrugs, casually. “I have things I don’t want stolen from me in this house.”
Yeah like me.
“She should be in a room with fresh air, Johnny. Some boyfriend you are.”
Johnny.
I can’t help but snort, even through my pain.
The woman walks over and looks down at me, swiping her hand across my forehead and then giving Jagger a stare that tells him she’s less than impressed.
“Hi, Willow. My name is Maggie, and I’m a doctor. I’m going to figure out what’s going on, okay?”
I nod, it’s the best I can do.
Has she asked Jagger why he won’t take me to a hospital?
Doesn’t she recognize me from the news?
I don’t understand.
“Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“She’s got fevers, shaking, her throat hurts, and she’s been sick about four times.” Jagger says, standing above her, arms crossed.
Maggie takes my temperature, checks my throat and vitals, and her face falls. “She’s burning up badly, Johnny. Whatever she has, it’s bad. Go and get my script book. I’ll write something to help with the pain, fevers, and some antibiotics to kill any infections. Why didn’t you take her to the doctor sooner?”
“It’s a long way to drive. I thought it was just a cold.”
She narrows her eyes, like she doesn’t believe a word coming out of his mouth. “Well, you’re lucky she didn’t die. There are such things as a hospital ...”
“The hospital wait times are long, you know that. Why would I go to a hospital when I’ve got a sister who is perfectly capable?”
He’s smart.
Too smart.
She straightens and glares at him. “Next time your girl gets sick, Johnny, take her to a doctor. She needs some fresh air and a shower, she looks awful. My god, I know you were raised better than this. What is wrong with you? If I find out you’re mistreating a woman ...”
“He’s helping me,” I croak, interrupting them. “I was in trouble and only showed up yesterday. We have been seeing each other for a while, but I walked most of the way out here after a massive fight with my mother. I had no other way, and my phone was gone. I never got a chance to shower because I got so sick.”
Maggie looks at me and Jagger actually looks entirely shocked.
“Well, it’s not a wonder you’re sick. Walking that far,” Maggie says, her eyes still full of suspicion as Angel returns with her book.
She fills out a few scripts and hands them to Jagger. “Do not let her forget to take these, and if she doesn’t get better within a few days, you need to take her to a hospital. Get her in the shower and open the damn window.”
I like her.
His sister is something else.
I wonder, could she be my way out?
6
Everyone leaves the room and Angel tells Jagger he’ll go into town and get what we need. Maggie leaves with Ace, the two of them talking, and when the door is closed, Jagger turns and looks to me. “Thanks.”
Did he just thank me?
I’m so shocked, I just stare at him.
He moves without another word, toward the bathroom.
“What are you doing?” I whisper hoarsely.
“She’s right, a shower will make you feel better.”
He goes into the bathroom and begins filling the tub, then he leaves the room and comes back with some soaps and a washer. I watch him from the bed, still trembling and praying Angel gets back with the medication soon. My legs feel like jelly, and my body aches so bad I’m not certain I can actually get into that bath.
“Hate to break it to you,” I croak. “But there is no way I can get in there on my own.”
“Then I’ll put you in,” he murmurs, not looking at me as he scoops up a towel.
He’s going to put me in?
Seriously?
I’m dreaming. This must be a dream.
“Can you get your clothes off, at least?” he asks.
I blink and slowly push out of the bed. With trembling fingers, I manage to get my clothes off and notice that the entire time, he keeps his back turned, not once looking at me. A pang of pressure in my chest makes me more than aware that this situation, with him, it’s hurting me. It’s getting to me more than I ever would have predicted. He passes the towel backward when I clear my throat, and I take it, wrapping it around me. My legs are wobbly and, as I take a step, I can’t help but wince.
Jagger turns, stepping closer and scooping me up as if I weigh absolutely nothing.
I probably don’t weigh much now, after over a month in here.
He puts my feet into the tub and then turns and lets the towel unravel, his hand holding onto it, and pulling it away when it drops. I slowly lower myself into the tub and oh, Maggie was right, this is heaven. I sink below the bubbles and close my eyes, forgetting the pain for just a second. Even the sting in my back doesn’t hurt compared to the sickness consuming my body right now.