“No.” I shake my head. “I’m all right, really.”
Zack opens my locker and gathers my things “If you’re sick, sweetie, I don’t want you here.”
The idea of going back to my lonely apartment makes me feel even worse. “Do you think you could take me to Sue’s?”
He bundles me up and loads me in the car, and we head off to Sue’s.
Zack holds on to me as we shuffle up the icy walkway. I’m so damn tired I just want to be in a comfortable atmosphere so I can sleep. Sue meets us at the door, looking worried.
“Come here, honey,” Sue whispers, taking me inside and thanking Zack for bringing me here. “Are you hungry?” I shake my head. “You’re awfully pale. How about some tea?”
“Okay,” I whisper as she sits me down on the couch in front of the fire and removes my shoes. Wrapping a blanket around my shoulders, she helps me lean back so I can lie lengthwise on the couch.
I stare into the fire thinking about how I went from feeling crummy to shitty in a matter of a few hours. It brings me back to York and the poison. My stomach rolls at the thought.
“Here.” Sue hands me a cup of chamomile tea and takes a seat across from me. “Thank you for coming here.” She bats a pesky tear away. “It means a lot.”
“You remind me of her,” I murmur, still staring at the fire. “My mother, she was like a cozy blanket. The moment she was around, you felt wrapped in her comfort and warmth.” I turn to see her glossy eyes reflecting the fire. “As much as I hate my past, it brought me to all of you. I’m incredibly lucky for that.”
She smiles at me, but her quivering chin gives away the emotion she’s keeping at bay.
“Umm, Sue?”
“Yes?”
I hold my mouth and bolt to the closest bathroom.
Cole
Cole walks through the bar, scanning every table for her. Maybe she’s on break. He takes a seat next to a guy who’s telling Jake a story about how he and his friend next to him did karaoke at Chaps last night. The girl seems to be a feisty little thing and keeps her friend in check as he tells the story like it’s a performance.
He waits until the guy takes a breath before he waves Jake over.
“Oh, hey, Cole.” Jake comes over with a glass, holding it up seeing if he wants one. “Savi call ya?”
“No,” he looks around, “why?”
“Look, love, he’s like sex on a stick,” the guy next to Cole whispers loudly. “Screw L.A., I’m stayin’ right the hell here.” He leans over to Jake. “Is this where all the hotties live?”
“You have no shame!” The girl swats his arm. “I’m sorry, don’t mind him. He’s a fifteen-year-old perv stuck in a twenty-three-year-old’s body.”
Jake shakes his head, ignoring the guy’s comment. “She went home sick. I think she’s got the flu. Zack took her to your parents’. Guess she didn’t want to be home.”
“It’s not her home,” he mutters, pulling out his phone and calling his mother.
“Hey, honey,” his mother whispers. “I was going to call you once she fell asleep.”
Cole waves to Jake as he leaves the bar. “I’m at Zack’s. I’ll come over. It’s just the flu, right?” His thoughts shoot back to York.
“I think so. She’s just tired and has an upset stomach. She’s gotten sick a few times. You might get sick, honey. You sure—”
“I’m in my car.”
“All right,” he can hear her smile, “drive safely.”
His mother is in the kitchen stirring a pot of chicken soup when he arrives. He gives her a kiss on the cheek and attempts to steal a roll from the baking sheet.
“She’s on the couch.” She nods as he looks over.