Page 120 of Can't Always Get What You Want

I blink, slowly, like my brain needs a second to reboot. I was ready to cradle him. I was ready to hold his hair back and whisper reassuring things and Google electrolyte solutions. I had mentally prepared tosee puke.

Instead, I get…

Abs.

Abs. For. Days!

What the hell is going on?!

“Hey!” He sits up, pointing the remote to pause the television. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re sick.”

“I am?”

“You barfed at practice!”

“Oh.” He tosses the remote to his comforter. “Yeah. I mean—I did. But it wasn’trealbarf. It was stress barf. Temporary barf. I bounced back.” He spreads his arms wide. “See?”

“You tired?”

Cause he does not look tired.

In fact, he looks annoyingly rechargedfor someone who barfed their guts out a few hours ago.

Luca’s cheeks have color, his eyes aren’t red, and his hair is doing that tousled, just-rolled-around-in-bed-like-a-Disney-Prince thing that should never not ever be allowed.

He shrugs, unabashed. “I took a nap. Had some crackers. Watched two episodes ofDeadliest Catch. I feel fine now.”

I stare at him like he’s just told me he discovered a new planet.

“Luca.”

He grins. “Nova.”

“You made me think you were DYING.”

“No one said I was dying,” he protests. “Gio exaggerated. Classic goalie drama.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re the one who texted back all vague and moody.Tired. Maybe….What was that all about?!

“I was being honest.”

Oh.

Well.

He goes up on his knees and comes closer to the edge of the bed, reaching for me. “I love that you raced over here like I was having a medical crisis.”

“I hate you.” I rear back. “Wait. Did you brush your teeth?”

No one wants to kiss a guy who has puke breath, no matter how much they like him.

He laughs. “Of course I brushed my teeth. I barfed.”

Ew. Don’t remind me.

“Want to stay with me? Even though I’m not a dying mess?” He laughs. “I can fake cough if it’ll make you want to play doctor.”

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