Page 16 of Between the Stacks

“You should be a vet,” Scott said, waggling his finger at me while he grinned. “Bet you’d have the best bedside manner even if your patient was a snake or a mouse.”

I couldn’t say I would take care of a snake, however the mouse? Definitely. Maybe they’d been on to something. Seemed like over the years I’d grown into my iron stomach after all the things I’d had to witness on the farm, including Stan, my dad’s ranch hand, getting his foot stuck in the auger.

Still not sure how that happened.

But it wasn’t pretty.

“I’ll look into it,” I said, mad at myself for grabbing too much food.

“You full?” Scott glanced at my plate.

“You still hungry?” I quirked a brow.

“Well, I wouldn’t say my third leg is hollow, but...”

I chuckled, handing him my last slice before settling back into a semi-comfortable position. “Enjoy.”

I don’t know how long I’d sat there or what time it was when I felt myself being lifted off the couch. The scent of honey mixed with an expensive citrus afternote filled my senses. I wanted to burrow closer to the person so I could transfer the smell to myself. The richness eased the tension raging within me. I didn’t think I’d allowed myself to turn my brain off since the moment I’d been told to get out of the home I’d made in my dorm room due to the fire.

“This is her room,” Lowe whispered as the click of the door opening accompanied his soft, “shit. I forgot she’d been studying earlier.”

“Scott, help Lowe clean off the bed, I’ve got the package,” Cole said. His voice vibrated through me, setting me on fire. I didn’t want any of them realizing I was awake for fear Cole would set me on my feet and walk away without a backward glance.

“Did you notice,” Lowe said, keeping his voice low. “How pale she is.”

“Maybe it was a trick of the light from the ambulance when we first saw her,” Scott said. “She didn’t look that bad. She’d even argued about treatment.”

I had. Stupid to think about now after everything I found out later. Trust me, the next time, if there was one, I’d take the ride in the ambulance without fighting.

“I saw the medicine they gave her. Can’t imagine how she felt knowing she’d always have to carry them with her,” Lowecontinued. “Besides her there are only two other students still in the hospital.”

“Too many,” Cole muttered. “I could kick that kid’s ass.”

“Get in line,” Lowe said. “There, now put her down.”

Cole did as Lowe asked and when my back hit the bed at an angle, I gladly drifted back off. But not before I could have sworn Scott said, “So did you ask her if she’d help us yet?” on the way out.

Wonder what that’s about?

The next morning,I woke to the smell of pancakes, bacon, and coffee along with punk music and Lowe’s laughter. Someone was in a good mood. I wondered why. The last two days had been a blur. I knew where I was, obviously, but everything else was like recalling memories through a thick fog on a misty day. Or a still-wet painting caught in the rain where the colors run, obscuring the artwork.

In other words, piss poor conditions.

I shoved out of bed, taking my time so as not to draw attention or cause a coughing fit. Once I was sure I could stand without falling over or losing my breath, I made my way to the bathroom. The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the shared space was the door across from where I stood was opened. I knew I’d closed it while studying the night before. The second thing, two toiletry bags on the counter.

Had the college decided to use all available homes and rooms? I pushed the thought aside and stepped into the closed-in toilet. The space, like downstairs, had photos of college students, vistas from the cliffs behind the school, and a basket ofmagazines beside the commode. Huh, not just a midwest thing. At least Lowe didn’t decorate with country ducks and geese.

After washing my hands and face, I brushed my teeth, then contemplated a shower. Only to stop mid-thought, remembering I didn’t have any clean clothes to put on. I’d been exhausted and mentally absent, forgetting to call the student store to have a few items from their racks sent over to professor housing. Now, if I wanted something I’d have to go get it. At least I had the presence of mind to order intimates and socks off the local big box shop.

Until those came, I contemplated staying upstairs. But the smells hit me again, and I couldn’t resist the sugary sweetness someone created in the kitchen. Grabbing my phone off the charger, I made my way down to the kitchen and came up short when I spotted Cole and Scott sitting at the breakfast nook, shirtless, slamming pancakes while Lowe sipped his coffee near the sink.

Unlike the guys, he had on a pair of pajama pants and a tank top, exposing the sinewy line of his body. I ate up every inch of him while the others were distracted. It wasn’t fair how good looking he was. Glancing down, I mentally snorted. He had pretty feet to boot. Nothing about him screamed normal. Yet, there wasn’t any other explanation for Lowe.

“There she is,” he murmured. “Feel better?”

I nodded. “Much. Thank you.”

“Good. Go take a seat with the boys. I’ll have your breakfast to you in a moment.”

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