Page 113 of Wrath

My stomach does a nose-dive. I text him back.‘Sure. What’s up?’

No answer.

Brennan takes me home in his new silver F-150. Mom and Carl aren’t home yet, so when I get inside, I take the stairs two at a time and knock on his door.

“Ezra?”

I knock again.

“Hey Ez?”

When he still doesn’t answer, I try the doorknob, find it unlocked. I push it open slowly, holding my breath. The first place my eyes go is the empty bed. Then my gaze snaps to the armchair, and my stomach drops to the floor.

“Ezra?”

He’s sitting in just boxers, with his head leaned back against the chair’s top and his knees spread wide. His face is red, his hair sweat-pasted to his forehead, and his body is all blotchy looking. Almost like sunburn. I can tell he’s sick from half a secondlooking at his face—the way his eyes look tired and he winces as he squints up at me.

"Ez?"

I realize he’s sort of panting.

“What’s wrong?”

His face tightens and he lifts a hand up like he’s going to brush his hair back. I notice his fingers shaking.

“Fuck.” I crouch down in front of him on legs that feel weak. “What’s the matter?”

“Too hot.” It’s a raspy, low groan.

I reach up to touch his forehead, and it’s…sohot.

“Fuck, my dude. What happened?”

He shuts his eyes, looking like he’s in pain. “Practice.”

“You got too hot. Did Nix make you leave?”

He breathes deeper, faster—and he doesn’t answer.

Shit. What’re the rules for heat exhaustion?

“Have you cooled down? You look like you haven’t showered.”

“I don’t feel good.Miller.” He holds his face—groaning. I notice his whole body is both flushed and damp.

“Is there anything else wrong?”

He shakes his head.

“Let’s go to the shower. C’mon, angel.” I put my hand on his shoulder, finding that his skin is just as hot as his forehead was. I’m expecting him to take my hand and let me help him up, but he doesn’t move.

“Ez?” I stroke his forearm, still raised as he holds his face. “Can you get up? I’m gonna walk you to the shower, turn it on cold.”

He groans again. Shit, he must have gotten really hot at practice. Fuck Coach Nix for letting him, too.

“C’mon, Ez. I’m going to hold both arms out for you, and we’re gonna get up. You’ve gotta make yourself, so you can get cooled down. I think you have to, or I might need to call yourdad.”

He looks up at me with glazed, panicked-looking eyes, and holds his hands out. I grab his arms, and he stands slowly.

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