Present
Opening my eyes, I feel a bit disoriented and unaware of my surroundings. The light streaming into the room is blinding and I shield my eyes instinctually. Suddenly, I’m alerted to the warmth of someone holding my hand and remember falling asleep with a very sick Cassandra talking nonsense. I’m not sure how long I lay here awake last night, thinking about the last words she spoke before she drifted off to sleep.
Turning on my side, I allow my gaze to roam over her soft, feminine features. The delicate way her lashes curl up when her eyes are closed. The small mole just above the corner of her mouth. Cass is arresting, captivating. My thoughts begin to overwhelm me—she overwhelms me.
“Cassandra?” A male voice startles me from my thoughts. I turn my head to find a stunned Richard standing in the doorway. I’m trying to read his expression, but it’s like he can’t decide how he feels about the fact that I’m lying here in bed with Cass curled up next to me, my hand in hers. A laugh bubbles in my chest. “Uh…hey Paxton,” he finally says, quietly.
I better put this guy out of his misery. Gently, I remove my hand from Cass’s clutch.
“Hey Dick.” He scowls at my nickname for him. “We should probably let her sleep; it was a rough night.” I get up and walk past him to the other side of the bed. Lightly, I place my hand against Cassandra’s forehead. She no longer feels as hot as she did last night, and I sigh in relief.
When I look up, Richard is still watching me with a curious look on his face. “So, you stayed with her all night? I guess I’m glad to know she wasn’t on the floor the whole time,” he states, his voice still sounding annoyed.
Lifting my brow, I look at him quizzically. “You what?” I’m trying to put two and two together based on what he just said. “How’d you know Cass was on the floor?” I’m afraid I’m not going to like his answer.
“Well, I was here when she got sick, but I don’t do sick very well. Work and being sick really doesn’t work for me right now.”
“You left her?” My face feels like it’s on fire and my hand is beginning to twitch. “She was lying on the bathroom floor, vomiting and feverish, and you thought it was okay to just leave her alone?” His eyes widen as I start to take a step forward.
Before I can move too far away, a tiny hand wraps around my wrist, reminiscent of last night. “Pax…” she says in a soft, hoarse voice.
The discussion I was just about to have with our friend Dick becomes an afterthought—for now.
“Pax,” she says again.
“Hey…yeah, I’m here.” My voice is calm, although inside I’m fighting a battle to keep my cool. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Richard has moved closer. His gaze is bouncing between Cassandra and me.
“I’m thirsty,” she whispers. Her eyes are opening for the first time, and when her gaze lands on mine, she gives me an almost smile. Then she catches a glimpse of the other person in the room and drops my hand. “Oh, Richard. When did you get back?”
“Yeah Dick, it’s so kind of you to check up on Cass this morning. I mean, your concern for her health is unbelievable, Dick.” Anger coats my words, and I keep repeating his nickname because I know he hates it.
He glares at me, his jaw tense. I return his penetrating gaze with one of my own.
“Richard, you shouldn’t have come this morning. I could still get you sick,” Cassandra says, interrupting our standoff.
“Yes, Dick, she could still get you sick. Also, she has me to take care of her.” I’m not letting up. This guy is a douchebag. I only thought I didn’t like him before, but now I know I don’t like him. He left Cass lying helpless on the floor because he was afraid of getting sick himself. Dammit, I want to kick his ass, and my jaw twitches as I clench my teeth.
Moving his attention to Cassandra, he sits on the bed and takes her hand in his, although he hesitates slightly before doing so. “I shouldn’t have left you. I’m sorry.” He tries hard to pretend he isn’t paying attention to my continued observation of his proximity to her.
“I understand,” she replies weakly. “Actually, I don’t really understand, but I know you don’t do sick people, so I guess what I mean to say is, I get you and your reasoning for leaving me.”
An irritated huff escapes me, and they both look in my direction. Why won’t she call him out and tell him he’s an asshole? I stare right back at Richard without apology. He at least looks like he feels somewhat like a jackass, but then his eyes dart to mine. I realize then that he feels bad more because I was willing to help her and it makes me look good.
Cass looks over at me, and I watch as she tries to gather her thoughts. “Thank you, Pax, for taking care of me. I’m sorry if I was a pain in the ass.” She hesitates before continuing, “God, I’m thirsty.”
The look on her face brings a smile to mine, especially when I notice Richard grimacing. “No problem. I’ll leave you two alone and get you more water.” She nods, the smile she had fading as a blank expression covers her face, one I can’t read. I hate when her walls go up, and it seems they’re suddenly back up. Glancing one more time in Richard’s direction, I can see his relief that I’m leaving the room. I’d like nothing better than to stay right there if for no other reason than the fact that he wants me gone.
I don’t stop until I’m standing alone in the kitchen. Placing Cass’s glass from last night in the sink, I decide to pull out a clean one for her.
Once I fill it up with cool tap water, I make my way back down the hall until I’m just outside her bedroom door. Listening to their hushed tones, I barely make out Richard apologizing again. Cass tries to ease his mind then I hear him say my name, and there isn’t anything friendly about it.
When Cassandra responds, I can tell she is defending my actions and hers, and frustration seeps into her voice. She sounds so small, and it only makes me feel more protective. He left her alone, on a cold bathroom floor, sick with fever, and he’s giving her a hard time.
Footsteps grow louder until I’m standing face to face with Richard outside the doorway. His eyes are sharp, searching for the answer to a question he hasn’t even asked. My manner is unapologetic for eavesdropping on their conversation, and even more unrepentant for being the one who took care of Cass when she needed someone.
“Here.” I hold the glass of cool water out to him. “She needs this, and maybe take her temperature too. It was pretty high last night.” My voice is cold.
Without another word, I turn on my heels and walk directly into my room, shutting the door behind me. I sit on my bed with my head in my hands, willing the unfamiliar feeling of jealousy to leave my mind…and my heart.