Page 149 of Citius

“Well, eat something or imbibe some caffeine. Whatever it is that keeps you running.” Turning to join Cal, he glanced over his shoulder, adding in a low voice, “I don’t want to see you like this again.”

Holy hell. How bad were things that Owen Redmond was worried about me?

Cal stepped back as the group started down the hallway and held up his phone. Then, he caught up with Owen, heading for the lobby.

His text didn’t pull any punches.

You’re worse than yesterday. Think you should take the afternoon off.

I’m okay. Just need to eat something.

A granola bar and a cup of Earl Grey tea was a sad excuse for lunch, but it was still food. And I did technically consume them. But Cal didn’t need to know they’d come right back up.

And when he texted later, asking how I was feeling, I lied to my boyfriend for the second time in as many days.

All systems normal.

***

The precious block of time I’d set aside on Tuesday afternoon to apply for jobs was spent over my toilet, retching until nothing was left—and not just because I’d received a summons to check in with Dr. Sethi the following day. I was a hollow, tear-streaked wreck, trembling on the bathroom floor.

Even the cats wouldn’t come near me.

It took fifteen solid minutes before I could muster enough strength to move, gripping the edge of the vanity as I hauled myself upright. The bathroom tilted on its axis as I staggered forward on numb feet, headpounding with every step.

Bed. That was the only solution. Curl up and wait for the worst to pass.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed—one hour, maybe ten—when cool fingers brushed against my forehead. Kelsey’s gentle touch. I didn’t question her presence. She only entered my suite as a last resort.

My text inbox was probably filled with missed status check requests. Malfunctions galore.

Kelsey withdrew her hand and sat down on the edge of my bed.

“Rory’s here. We made spaghetti. Can you eat?”

“Ugh…” It was all I could manage by way of reply, fending off a fresh wave of nausea while trying to understand why Rory was here on a weeknight.

“That settles it. I’m not leaving tomorrow.”

Oh shit. Jenna’s birthday weekend. I was supposed to drive them to the airport in the morning for their flight to Tacoma.

“No—no,” I said, forcing myself to sit up and open my eyes. Easier said than done. “Absolutely not.”

“Jenna will understand—”

“It’s her twenty-first birthday. I willnotdo that to her.”

If Kelsey canceled her trip because of my health, it could trigger a chain reaction. Mom would likely stay behind, maybe even Rory, too. I couldn’t be the reason they disappointed Jenna, especially after the whole family celebrated my birthday the night before the Millwright Marathon.

It wouldn’t be fair, and I couldn’t stomach giving Jenna yet another reason to hate me.

“Please, Kels.” I gripped her wrist, using our connection as an anchor to stay upright. “Youhaveto go. Jenna’s made so many plans. Rory told me all about them. She wants to take you to a candle place that might work for Beaufeather’s, her favorite bookstore, and—”

“You’ve been a mess for days.”

I straightened up a little more and tried my best to be convincing. “Which means the worst is over. I’ll be fine tomorrow. Thursday at the latest. Not worth canceling the trip over.”

“You look like shit. Don’t know when you last ate a full meal. And I’m supposed to leave you alone like this?”

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