Page 58 of Hitting the Gap

“Ah, Bay,” he said. That looked rough.

She lifted her head slightly and cringed. “God, please tell me you aren’t seeing me like this.”

He stepped further into the bathroom. “Afraid so, babe.” Sweat made her hair stick to her head. Her normally pale skin had a grayish green hue. His girl looked rough.

He grabbed a washcloth from the linen cupboard in the corner of the room and ran it under cold water. He placed the cool fabric against the back of her neck and she let out a loud sigh.

“Thank you,” she said weakly.

“How long you been sick?”

“Forever.”

He chuckled. Been there.

Suddenly, Bailey reared back. “Get out!” she yelled a second before her body convulsed.

There was no way he was going anywhere. He swept her hair back from her face and pulled it into a pony with his hand.

Bailey groaned. After several more convulsions. She finally emptied her stomach and dropped her head against the toilet seat. “Kill me now,” she groaned.

He rubbed small circles on her back the way his mom used to when he was sick.

After several minutes, she lifted her head and pushed back from the toilet. “I think I’m done.”

He helped her stand up and walked her to the counter, where he liberally added toothpaste to her brush and handed it to her.

He took in her sweat stained T-shirt and blotchy face as she leaned weakly against the counter to brush her teeth.

“Why don’t you hop in the shower? Nothing makes me feel better when I’m sick than a nice shower.”

“Don’t wanna,” she grumbled.

He chuckled. “I know, but you’ll feel better. While you’re doing that, I’ll change your sheets.”

“Oh god, you don’t have to do that.” She closed her eyes. “This is mortifying.”

“Why? I’ve seen you puke before.”

Bailey raised her head and looked at him, then smiled sadly. “Right.” With a sigh, she glanced at herself in the mirror. “Maybe a shower would be good.”

Happy to have something he could do to help, he turned the shower on to heat up. “You need help getting in?”

“God no, there’s no chance I’m adding to the humiliation of this by having you help me undress.”

The idea of seeing Bailey naked even under these conditions made his dick spring to life. Maybe it was better she didn’t need help. The last thing she needed when she felt like shit was him leering at her like a perv. “Kay, well call me if you need help.”

“Will do.” She slouched against the counter and closed her eyes.

“You sure you don’t need help?”

“What?” She blinked at him. “No, I’ll be fine.” She pushed her pajama pants down her legs and stumbled as she tried to step out of them.

“Just let me help you,” he said.

Tears filled her eyes when she looked up at him. “Ah, Bailey.” He stepped toward her and pulled her into a hug. Her entire body slumped against him as he wrapped her tightly in his arms. The smell of puke drifted to his nose. Yuck, it must be in her hair. He could only imagine how shitty she must be feeling.

“Let me help you. I promise not to look.”

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