Page 39 of Tides of Discovery
“It’s not a sick day.” I grabbed my keys from under the register. “Jack’s got the stomach flu—the same bug you guys had. He’s alone.”
Understanding dawned in Jessica’s eyes, followed by something that looked like approval. She nodded firmly. “Go. Marco and I have your back. We’ve got this.”
I was already halfway to the door. “Text me if?—”
“Cooper.” Jessica’s voice was gentle but firm. “We’ve got this. Take care of your man.”
The words sent warmth shooting through my chest even as I pushed through the door into the morning air. My man. When had that happened? When had Jack become more than my best friend?
I didn’t have time to analyze it now. Jack needed me, and I was damn well going to be there. The Jack who’d helped me through statistics, failed relationships, and coming out to my disapproving parents wouldn’t suffer alone if I had anything to say about it.
I stopped at the corner market first and filled a basket with sick-day essentials: water, Gatorade, crackers, broth, Pepto, ibuprofen, and a thermometer.
By the time I returned to Tides & Tales, I was juggling two full bags and a flat of water. The bell above the bookstore’s door jingled as I shouldered my way inside, trying not to knock anything into the carefully arranged display of new releases.
Mason looked up from behind the counter, setting down the book he’d been reading. “Cooper? What’s all this?”
“Jack’s sick.” I adjusted my grip on the grocery bags. “Stomach flu. I need to get upstairs to check on him.”
Mason’s face creased with concern. He stood up. “Oh no, that poor guy. He looked a bit off yesterday when he came down for his mail, but I thought he was just tired.”
“Can you let me into the stairwell?” I shifted the water bottles under my arm. The plastic cut into my forearm.
“Of course.” Mason came around the counter and pulled a set of keys from his jeans pocket. “How bad is he?”
“I don’t know yet.” I followed Mason toward the front of the store. “He just texted that he was sick. No one should have to deal with that bug alone.”
Mason nodded as he held the door open for me. “Jack’s lucky to have someone like you.”
We stepped outside onto the sidewalk, and Mason led me a few yards down to the plain door at the side of the bookstore. He unlocked it and pushed it open, revealing the steep staircase that led up into the apartments above.
“Tell him I said to feel better, and if either of you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Mason.” I started up the stairs, my footsteps echoing in the narrow stairwell. The bags seemed to get heavier with each step, but I pressed on, taking the steps two at a time.
By the third-floor landing, I was winded but determined. I balanced everything precariously to knock on his door. No answer. I knocked louder.
“Jack? It’s Cooper.”
A groan from inside, then a hoarse voice: “Go away. I’m contagious.”
“I’m immune,” I lied. “Let me in.”
Muffled grumbling reached me, followed by the sound of the lock turning. The door opened. Jack looked worse than I’d ever seen him. His face was flushed with fever, his eyes glazed. A rumpled T-shirt and sweatpants hung on his listless body, and his hair stood in sweaty spikes. He leaned heavily against the doorframe, as if standing upright required all his remaining energy.
“You look like hell.” I pushed past him into the apartment.
“Thanks,” he rasped. He closed the door and immediately leaned against it. “What are you doing here?”
“Taking care of you.” I headed straight for his kitchen. “When did you last take something for the fever?”
Jack shuffled after me, moving like a man three times his age. “I don’t know. I got up to take it sometime last night.”
“Before or after midnight?” I unpacked the groceries.
He frowned and thought too hard about the simple question. “Before midnight, I think.”
“So you’re overdue.” I found a glass, filled it with water, and shook two tablets from the bottle I’d brought. “Take these. Then back to bed.”
