Page 72 of Steeling Her
Nick
“Why on earth do you watch this crap?” I ask the TV, but Danielle answers. I’m only here so I can see Carter today. I haven’t seen her since the party, and I know I sound like a pussy, but I miss her.
“Because I literally can’t with my anxiety.” I laugh at her trying to copy the Kardashian’s tone. So valley girl, not that I would know because I haven’t heard one, but in my own head, that’s what it sounds like. Haley has rushed off to a class and won’t be done until four today.
I was bored, and I’m kind of trying to avoid Maya. She’s been texting me nonstop, so much that I’ve decided to turn my phone off completely. After what happened two nights ago, I’ve been trying to stay away from getting the shitty end of her wrath.
The house has been tense too. Ryan and I can’t be in the same room unless there are at least two others in case a fight breaks out between us. Insults have been thrown at each other from every angle, and the guys are sick of it. It’s affecting our team play. I almost avoid passing to Ryan, and because he’s a wide receiver, I have to when I have no other option.
Coach noticed it too. He called both of us aside to grill us and we both couldn’t even look at each other or him. He sensed something happened between us and warned us that it better not be over a girl. He noticed the bruises and cuts on our faces and knew instantly what we did to each other, but he let us off with only a warning. If the practice was the same as yesterday’s, then we’re benched. Both of us.
“Seriously, you watch anymore of this shit, your brain will turn to mush.” I turn my phone back on to see message after message from Maya as well as Haley complaining that Maya is messaging her too. This is another reason why I don’t do girlfriends: they get too clingy. And Maya is clingy as fuck.
Once the door swings open, I know it’s Carter and turn to face her over my shoulder. She has her eyes wide as she looks at me, then tilts her head, questioning why I’m here. I can feel my face light up in amusement and she smiles back at me, but I notice how pale she is. Her eyes bright contrasted worryingly against her white skin. She looks like a white walker right now.
“You alright? You look really pale.” I ask her as I stand up, and she nods.
“Yeah, no, I’m not feeling great today. I think I’m going to lay down for a couple of hours? I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“You still feeling sick?” Danielle walks over to her after noticing how ill she looks. Bobbing her head around, she sets her bag down beside the TV and starts walking into her room to go to sleep.
“I’m sorry. I know I’m being rude right now, but I just can’t stand any longer. I don’t feel good at all,” she apologizes before giving us a small smile with a wave and shutting the door.
“Hey, do you mind keeping an eye on her? She was up all night getting sick and had a bad fever earlier, so I’m going to run to the grocery store to pick up some medicine and chicken noodle soup for her. It always worked for me.” I nod as she gathers her purse and keys while heading towards the door. “Oh, and make her a hot water bottle too. She lives for that. She’s always cold.” She smiles and leaves me standing in the living room with the TV still running in the background.
“I can do one better.” I smile to myself. I walk over to her door and knock, this time laughing a little at the memory of the last time I barged in and saw everything. Not that I’m complaining, it was definitely a sight I wouldn’t mind seeing again.
“Come in,” she says lightly. I twist the handle down to open the door. I see her pulling blankets on her body as she settles herself in her bed. “I see you knocked this time,” she teases me as her teeth chatter. I walk over to set myself beside her, smiling at the fact she’s in a teasing mood despite the fact that she’s sick. I rest my hand on her forehead and feel her skin burn up.
“Jesus, Carter, you’re really hot.” I widen my eyes at my choice of words before she lies down and giggles at me. I lean my head back at how much she makes me say the stupidest things. I would have said that to plenty of girls before I met her, but with her it’s so different. I can’t explain it. “I meant you have a fever . . . I mean . . . well, you are . . . never mind,” I stutter out.
I tuck her in and lift myself off the bed to close the door. I take my shoes and hoodie off. My shirt lifting in the process and giving her an eyeful of what I’ve got. She’s seen it before, but I don’t mind her seeing it again. Peeling back a layer of blanket, I slip in beside her and notice that her body is freezing.This isn’t right. What is happening to her body?
“What are you doing?” she asks so delicately.
“I’m keeping you warm. I can assure you, I’m better than a hot water bottle.” I wink at her, making her laugh once more.Am I crazy? Yes, but this is what she does to me.
I’m lying in bed with her. Nothing sexual, just simply lying with her, and I love it.
Woah, Nick, chill.The “L” word isn’t in your vocabulary unless directed toward a family member.
She shuffles her body closer to mine. I wrap the both of us up, guarding her as she shivers next to me. “Thank you,” she whispers to me, and I pull her tighter to my body, trying to get her to warm up. It’s not long before I hear her soft breathing next to me, and I involuntarily kiss her hair and stroke it to soothe her. It’s not long before I drift off to sleep.
I didn’t realize it until I heard a throat being cleared over by the door. I open my eyes to see Danielle standing there and leaning on the frame. A smug smile is on her face as I lift my head to see who had caught me cuddling Carter.
“Cozy?” she teases, and I flop my head back down on the pillow, groaning now that I’ve been caught by her of all people. She won’t let me live this down, she’s like the female version of TJ. “You’ve been asleep for a few hours, she needs something to eat. I have soup ready if you want some as well?” I nod, thinking that it’s a good idea. I sit up a little and hover of Carter’s body and notice she’s still very cold but has small beads of sweat coating her face. I stroke her cheek gently to wake her up.
“Carter?” I whisper close to her ear but there’s no movement. “Carter?” I say a little louder and tap her hand, feeling that it’s freezing. “Carter?” Louder again, and Danielle steps into the room. I’m not getting any response from her and I’m starting to get worried.
“Carter!” I raise my voice—still no response. I look over at Danielle, who is frozen by the door. “Carter! Come on, wake up for me . . .” I shake her a little, then keep shaking her, but she’s not waking up. “Carter, come on, shit!” I tap her cheek trying to get any movement from her and I’m not getting anywhere. I’m starting to panic and so is Danielle. My heart is pumping into overdrive as I’m beginning to internally freak out.
I fish out my phone and call the one person who might be able to help in this situation. “Get me a cold, damp towel!” I order Danielle but she’s shocked and is just standing there. “Danielle!” She snaps out of it and runs to the bathroom. Pressing call, I listen to it ring against my ear.
“Come on, pick up! Pick u—” I rest my head against her boiling forehead, praying for someone who can help me.
“Hello?”
“Cas! I need your help! Carter is sick and she’s got an fever, but she’s freezing, and she’s not waking up! What do I do?” You can hear the panic in my voice.
