Page 34 of Passions & Peonies

I hop off the couch.Clench. Gurgle.I bend over andcradle my stomach with my arm. He springs up.

“I—I don’t feel well. I should go back to my room.”Swirl.

I’m deathly afraid of throwing up. I’ve only done it once in elementary school, and I’ve been mental about it ever since. I can’t hear it, see it, smell it. A wave of heat rushes through my body and beads of sweat form on my forehead.Please, please, please, don’t do this! Not in front of Will.

“My stomach. Nauseous and cramping. I should—”It’s going to happen.I run to the corner but not quite far enough. I throw up on the bushes and the patio. Again. And again.

“Josh!” Will shouts from behind me. “I need a bucket. Now!”

A hand rests on my back. I move out of reach. “Go away,” I cry. My body vibrates and my stomach clenches again.No! Not again. My legs shake, and I have no energy to stand anymore. I brace myself against the edge of the house with my hand.

“Lacey, please let me get you to the bathroom. You’re shaking. Here’s a bucket.” His voice expresses concern and pity. I hug the bucket with one arm as one of his arms wraps around my waist. I’m almost airborne.

“Holy shit, Lace,” Sky exclaims as she runs out of the house. “Maybe it was the crab or that other thingy we ate.”

Thanks, Sky. Bad choice of words, and I lose my stomach again. Will picks up the pace to the bathroom. He takes me into his bedroom and straight through to a connecting bathroom. He lowers me onto the floor in front of the toilet and puts the bucket in the bathtub.

I kneel down. Water runs somewhere. “Here’s a damp towel, sweetie. Wipe off your face and mouth.” Will rubs my back, but this time I don’t push him away. I don’t have the energy. I’m so humiliated and disgusted. Why would he want to be in the bathroom with me?

“Please leave me alone.”

“Nope. Out of the question.”

“I should go back to the hotel. You shouldn’t have to deal with this.” I try to stand but fall back down. “Where’s Sky?”

“She and Josh just went to the hotel to get you clean clothes. They’ll be back soon.”

I hang my head low. Water runs again and he lays a cool compress on the back of my neck. It feels good. I take a deep breath and try to focus on it, but my stomach’s still pissed and it happens again.Fuck!

“Will, I’m so scared! I hate this so much and it hurts. Why won’t it stop?”

He wipes my mouth and pulls my hair back, then flushes the toilet. I can’t believe he’s doing this.

“Don’t be scared. I’m here with you. I’m sure it’s food poisoning. It has to come out for you to feel better.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whimper. “I’ll leave as soon as I can stand.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says firmly.

Why in front of him? The guy I’ve fallen for.He gasps next to me.Did I just say that out loud?Fuck it. I don’t care. I’ve made an ass out of myself in front of him so many times already, and he’s still here.

Why is hestill here?

I don’t know how long I’ve been kneeling in front of the toilet with my head propped on my arm. At one point, I remember someone cleaned the bathtub and then they left. My legs are numb, and all I want to do is sleep. At least my stomach feels empty and relieved.

A soft hand caresses my shoulder. “Lace, here’s some water. Try to drink this.” It’s Sky.

“Hey. Thanks.” I force my numb legs out from under me and drag myself with my arms a few feet away to rest my back against the bathtub. Pins and needles start to prick my legs. The glass shakes as I bring it to my mouth. I take a tiny sip and wait to see what happens.

Sky kneels in front of me and rubs my leg. “How are you feeling? I have a change of clothes, your pjs, and your toothbrush.”

“I’m better, or at least this round is over. Hopefully the water will stay down. Can you give me a tissue, please?” She pulls three out of the box and hands them to me.

“Do you want to take a shower? Will says there are towels in the cabinet underneath the sink.”

I shake my head, then blow my nose. “I don’t have the energy, but I’d like to brush my teeth. Hopefully it won’t make me sick. Ineverwant to eat again.”

“Me neither after I saw you act like that chick from the movie,The Exorcist. I was drunk before, but that sure as hell sobered me up.”

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