Page 62 of Anti Player

I go to check on Brett. Over the years we’ve both helped each other out when we’ve been sick. Grabbing cold medication, making soup. We’ve got each other’s backs.

When I walk into his room, he’s still in the bathroom with the door half open.

“Bro, you good?” I call out.

“No. I’m puking like hell,” he snarls.

I wince.

“Damn, I got Asher hanging out on the couch watching TV.”

“Thanks, bro,” he says and then he throws up some more. I want to plug my ears because the sound is making me want to puke.

I leave his room and go back to Asher. We need to get some electrolytes.

I call Matt. “Hey, bro, please tell me you want to go out tonight,” he says.

“Can’t. At Brett’s place. Dude has food poisoning. So does his nephew. I need you to go pick up some stuff for me.”

He whines but tells me to text him the list and he says he’ll get it right away, so that’s what I do.

When I head back to check on Brett, he’s lying in bed.

“Do you want water?” I ask him.

He nods. I run to the kitchen and get a glass for him and Asher. I give Asher his glass first. “Drink slow. Small sips.”

He takes the water and drinks slowly.

“I’ll be back in a sec,” I tell him.

I run over to Brett’s room and tell him the same thing. “How do you know this shit all the time?”

“You know how. Try having a parent who forgets to take care of you and leaves you in bed sick and by yourself. You learn what needs to get done.”

“Yeah,” he says, and he starts taking small sips.

I head back to Asher. I take a seat beside him on the couch.

“My tummy hurts,” he complains. It’s so cute how he says his r’s.

“Here, hug the pillow against your stomach,” I offer. I also move in and he places his head on me.

We are watching some kids’ movie with Ryan Reynolds when there’s a knock on the door.

I open the door to Matt, who is holding a large brown paper bag.

“Thanks, bro,” I say to him, and fist bump him.

“No prob,” he replies.

“You want to come in?” I ask him.

“Absolutely not.” He winces.

“It’s food poisoning,” I say.

“Or stomach flu,” he adds.

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