Page 114 of The Thought of You

“Nothing I can think of. You think this is food related?”

“Could be, but the stomach bug could also be at play.” I don’t miss the relief in her exhale. “Do you think it’s something else?”

“Sable said something this morning that I thought I might be freaking out about, but, um, never mind.”

What could Sable have said to set her off?

Addie groans into her palms.

“I’ll take you home,” I offer.

“My classes.” She lifts a limp hand, doing her best to gesture over her makeshift classroom on the bleachers. “The students. I… What…”

I guide her to sit. “You can barely stand or form complete sentences. You need to get some rest at home, with a bucket next to you at all times.”

“I actually didn’t make it to the bathroom that time.” She winces. “I had to throw up in the sink.”

“That settles it. I’m calling Sable and taking you home.”

“What about your classes? They’ll… Who…” She clutches the side of her head in her hand and squeezes her eyes closed.

Addie’s in no condition to drive or be left alone for long, but she’s right about my classes. It’ll be a lot simpler to fill in for one teacher at the last minute, but two might be a lot to ask.

“I’ll figure something out,” I reassure her. “Right now, we need to get you home.”

I gather Addie’s textbook, notes, and pens into her tote, then throw her coat over my shoulder as I call Sable and inform her of the situation.

“I’ll be right over,” she says.

The next call I make is to my mother. I didn’t have all the details ironed out before I called, but with four kids and a grandbaby, she’s no stranger to all kinds of ailments. She jumps into caretaking mode and gives me all the answers I was hoping for.

More than that, I’m relieved she’s able to help. I almost didn’t call, given how busy I know she is with her part-time job at Dad’s pharmacy, plus Whitney and Huck.

Sable arrives with a brown paper bag in one hand and half a sandwich in the other. She stops to check on Addie, who takes one whiff of her food and gags.

As she rushes to the locker room again, Sable turns to me with a frown. “Not the best day to bring a tuna salad sandwich with me.”

“It’s not you. It’s whatever virus or food poisoning she has.”

“You’ll make sure she gets home safely, right?” she asks, concern etched in the crease between her brows.

“I’m on it.” I muster my best smile. “I’ll be back before my next class, but if for some reason I’m not?—”

“I’ll handle it,” she reassures me.

I thank her, fling the tote bag over my shoulder, and grab my keys from the Health room, after which I meet Addie back in the gym, her arms wrapped around her stomach.

My chest hurts to see her in pain like this.

With my best mask of confidence I can force, I guide her outside, where I place a kiss to her temple. “Let’s get you home.”

“I haven’t had time to clean up since my mom left the other night,” Addie croaks. “I’ll get to it.”

“There will be plenty of time for that later.” I put her water bottle in her hand and urge her to sip as I say, “Right now, your only jobs are staying hydrated and resting.”

She winces as she swallows, and it’s obvious the water doesn’t go down easily.

The only time I’ve been to Addie’s house was the night I secretly dropped off dinner for her two weeks ago, but I didn’t come inside.

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