Page 69 of Up In Flames
“Will?” Oren was pale as a ghost still. His features were pinched in pain.
“Oren, what’s wrong?”
“Migraine.” He turned and walked back into his apartment, leaving me to follow him. I slipped inside, toed out of my shoes, and shut the door. I found Oren in his bedroom. The blinds were shut tight, keeping the light out.
“How long have you been like this?” Keeping my voice low, I approached the bed. I didn’t want to sit in case the movement made his head hurt worse.
“Since Hal took me home.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I’ve been blowing up your phone.”
“Sorry.” Oren burrowed under the covers.
“No, it’s fine. Just tell me what I can do to help.”
In the dim light I saw Oren open his eyes and look up at me. His smile was faint, but present.
“You’re already helping.”
CHAPTER 31
Oren
“Hey, are you with me?”
I blinked my eyes open and stared up at Will. He was sitting in my bed, propped up against the headboard, reading something on his phone. It came back to me slowly. The pounding I thought had been in my head but wasn’t. I’d dragged myself to my door, and I’d seen Will standing there. A sight for sore eyes. I’d wanted to give him a proper greeting, but I had about ten seconds to make it back to bed before I fell over.
But when I’d curled up, I’d known Will was there. I slipped in and out of consciousness a few times, and each time Will was there guarding me, looking after me.
“Will?” My voice cracked from disuse, and my mouth was as dry as a desert.
“How’s the head?”
He reached for me, brushing hair off my forehead. I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy his touch.
“Better. Sore, but better. I think I’ll live. How long have you been here?” Migraines stripped me of everything, including knowing how long I’d been down with one.
“All day. You weren’t coherent for most of it.” He put his phone down and reached for a bottle of water. “Do you think you can sit up? We need to get some more fluids into you.”
I nodded and then slowly worked my way into a sort of sitting position. Will’s eyes crinkled when he smiled at me. He thrust the bottle of water into my hands and then used his superhuman fireman strength to pull me close, manhandling me so I was laying half on top of him. He took the cap off the bottle of water for me and watched me drink, encouraging me to take small sips until I shook my head. I’d managed not quite half, but that appeased my caretaker, who put the cap back on.
“When did you get here?” I indulged in that hug I’d wanted when he helped pull me out of that elevator shaft.
“This morning. It’s almost dinner now. Do you think you could eat some soup for me?”
I blinked up at him. “You made me soup?”
“Of course I made you soup.”
He leaned down and brushed a kiss against my forehead. My eyes closed of their own accord, and I relaxed against him.
“No more sleep until we get some calories in you.”
“I could eat. Could I shower first, Doctor Dorsey?” My skin felt gross, and I didn’t want to think of what I must look like after spending a whole day in bed.
“I think a shower could be arranged.” Will climbed out of bed and waited for me to shift my way to the edge. I swung my legs off the bed and took a deep breath before attempting to stand.
“I might have to shower sitting down.” My laugh came out weak.
