Page 28 of Ace of All Hearts

“See,” she yawns. “No girl here. You checked. You can leave now.”

“Come on.” I stand at the end of her bed and watch her get under the covers. I put a hand on her foot, now covered by the duvet, and shake it playfully. “I take that back.”

“Hmph.”

“Rose, I’m trying here. You could at least pretend to care.”

She buries herself deeper into her pillows. “I’m exhausted.” Her groggy voice and lethargic body kick my instinctual caring nature into action.

“Hey, are you okay?” I move to the side of the bed and sit by her. She rolls onto her side so she’s facing me. I push strands of hair out of the way, and she looks up at me. Her eyes are still glassy.

“Rose…” I put a hand on her forehead. “Oh my god, you’re burning up. How long have you been feeling like this?”

“Dunno.” She shrugs. “Since last night, I think.”

“Have you taken anything? Any Ibuprofen? You’ve got a fever.”

“I’m alright.” She weakly pushes my hand away from her face.

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’ll be back in a sec.” I put my handbag on the floor and head to the bathroom. Grabbing the thermometer and some Ibuprofen, I don’t forget to check myself in the mirror. I rearrange my hair and dab at my peach lipstick before walking back to the room.

“Alright,” I announce as I walk back in. “We’re checking your temperature.”

“Are you for real,” she chuckles bitterly. “I don’t want you to take care of me right now.”

“Try and stop me.” I smile as I sit back on the bed next to her. I put the thermometer to her ear, and as I expected, she allows me.

“Damn it, Rose,” I huff. “Only you would get a 102.2 fever and act like nothing’s wrong,” I scold her. I open the bottle of Ibuprofen and drop one in the palm of my hand. I grab the water bottle on her bedside table. “Come on, sit up.”

She rolls her eyes but does as I say. “Here you go.” I give her the pill and help her drink a few sips of water.

She groans and lowers herself a little bit. “I feel like shit,” she admits. Then, digging her ocean gaze into mine, she pouts and says, “I think it’s heartbreak.”

I snort and roll my eyes at her. “You’re so dramatic.”

She fakes a gasp and smiles softly. “I like when you take care of me.”

“I know,” I nod. “You love the attention. You always have, especially mine.”

She glances away then back at me. “I’m hurt, Sunshine.”

I appreciate her honesty.

I nod to myself again and start to keep myself busy by flattening the duvet that’s now slipped down to her waist. I do it repeatedly before talking. “I’m sorry I left with Sam and Lik after we…,” I scratch my throat, not sure which word to use. “We all…did stuff.”

She chuckles, probably thinking I’m childish for not being able to say we had a foursome. I keep going anyway. “I hurt your feelings. I abandoned you after you were put in a vulnerable position. It’s really shit, and I genuinelyamsorry.”

I look up at her, my gaze probably hardening before I say, “But I’ve been thinking, and I don’t think I’m sorry for what happened in the car.”

Her mouth drops open. “It was in the car?”

“Oh…I thought you knew that.”

“ ‘Course I fucking didn’t. Why would I?” she snaps.

“Okay.” I put my hands up to appease her. “God,sorry.” I take a deep breath before continuing, “Look, we did it your way for our whole relationship. My entire high school years were dedicated to loving you. And I still love you, just not the way I used to. I don’t want to let you play me anymore. What I did is the exact same thing you used to do to me. Except, in my case, the situation is confusing! We’re all…whatever we’re doing. It was the four of us and…” I huff. “I’m confused.”

Her jaw tightens, and she looks out the window. Rain has started to pour outside, battering against the window in a mess of heavy tears.

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