Page 41 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

I skim over the medicine he bought. There’s like forty dollars’ worth of medicine here. And it’s pouring rain. A normal person would’ve minded his own business.

“You didn’t have to do all that,” I state the obvious.

TJ and I aren’t friends. We’re acquaintances at most. Acquaintances that made out once, but acquaintances nonetheless.

I’ve been trying to pretend like that kiss never happened, but it’s proving to be difficult. Since he and I made out in front of everyone, I’ve been getting a lot of male attention.

A few guys from the team slid into my DMs. None that I’m actually interested in, buthey, a win is a win.

Men really are simple creatures. It’s like that kiss marked me with TJ’s stamp of approval. The guy is a basketball god. One of the most gifted point guards Duke has seen in a while. And as adored as he is, he’s also envied and hated by many guys. I’m sure some of them would just love to steal his girl and rub it in his face.

“That’s me. A do-gooder. So selfless and not at all worried about my tutor being sick when I have an exam next week.”

I should be offended, but I find his honesty refreshing and a tad amusing. Plus, it doesn’t really matterwhyhe’s here. All that matters is that he got me what I needed.

“I’ll pay you back.”

“Nah, you’re good. Just focus on getting better.”

I can’t hide my smile.

“I… Thanks.”

“Anytime, rich girl.”

I watch him open the kitchen cupboard and pull out a mug. Then he’s making his way to my fridge and grabbing the milk.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Warm milk with honey. Then you’re going to eat your soup like a good girl and knock that virus dead so that I don’t fail this test.”

I could argue, but I doubt it would make him leave, so I surrender to my fate. “How can I help?”

I’m reaching for the milk when he sticks his arm out in front of me, operating as a human barrier. “You can start by parking your ass on that chair and letting me take care of you.”

This feels unnatural. I can’t remember the last time I had someone take care of me.I’ve gotten so used to doing everything on my own.

I’m too sick to fight him, so I oblige, taking a seat on a kitchen chair. That’s when I notice the water pooling at his feet. His hair and pants are dripping wet. We need to get him out of these clothes.

“At least let me get you a towel. And some dry clothes.” I rise to my feet, and he pins me with an annoyed look. “What? You can’t get sick, too.”

He caves a moment later. “Do you even have clothes to give me?”

The answer comes to me. “I have my dad’s clothes.”

It’s like all the air got sucked out of the room when the words leave my mouth. TJ doesn’t say anything, but the look on his face…

It’s full of pity.

I point a finger at him as if to intimidate him. “You look at me like that again I’m going to start sending you fun facts about cats every day for like a year.”

The threat seems to get my point across because he laughs and focuses on making me that warm milk. “Copy that.”

I make a beeline for the closet near the front door. I keep stuff I don’t want to deal with in there, which is why it’s full of my dad’s things.

This is what I took back home after we cleared out his apartment, although I can barely remember what’s in most of those boxes. I was on autopilot back then.

I spot a box labeledClothesin no time and tear it open, ignoring the painful pit in my throat. I fish a black button-up shirt out of the box, and it feels like getting stabbed in the chest.

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