Page 30 of Two Is Better Than One

"How are you, Casey?" Brooks said when he answered the door to the suite the following morning.

"I'm doing well, thank you."

"Good to hear it."

"AJ's sick."

Brooks's gaze snapped up and looked at Casey who made a gesture in front of him like something was coming up.

"A stomach thing," he said, causing Brooks to cringe. "I know you mentioned maybe needing him for Allie tomorrow, but I don't know if he'll be able to get here. He called in to his other job today. My dad said he's still pretty sick this morning."

"I hate to hear that," Brooks said. "I hope it's not a viral thing, we'll all get it."

"Who's got a viral thing?" Summer asked, coming into the living room.

"AJ," announced Brooks.

Summer glanced at Casey who nodded. "Bad," he said. "Dad said he might have to get an IV."

"He might have to go to the hospital?" Summer asked.

"We know a doctor who could come over and give him an IV at my dad's house, and that might have to happen. Dad said he's calling soon if AJ keeps going downhill."

"What happened?" Allie asked, coming into the living room after Summer and seeing that they were in deep discussion about something.

"AJ's sick."

Chapter 13

Allie Stockton

Casey's expression was regretful when he said that his cousin, AJ, was sick, and I experienced an instant whooshing sensation. It was anxiety and adrenaline, and it seemed to pour into my body the instant Casey said that. He looked serious.

"What? How sick?" I asked, trying not to appear as horrified as I felt.

Casey shrugged a shoulder. "His stomach," he said. "It's either a stomach bug or food poisoning. None of you guys felt sick after anything we ate yesterday, did you?"

Casey had said some words after he mentioned food poisoning, but I was stuck in thought. I felt full of dread suddenly. I had overheard a conversation at Vincent's house. The guy said he did something to a sandwich. He even mentioned the words food poisoning, but then they laughed, so I thought it was a conversation about something that happened in the past. It was in the back kitchen at Vincent's. I had gone back there to look for Garrett, and… I gasped when the thought hit me. Could Garrett have done that to him?Maybe I read too many spy novels.

"Could a person give someone food poisoning on purpose?"

"Who would want to give AJ food poisoning?" Casey asked me, looking confused.

My heart raced at the thoughts of how Garrett had seemed annoyed at AJ. I wondered if jealousy had come into play. Garrett was used to being the most handsome guy in the room, and as it stood, the best he could possibly do yesterday was third place behind AJ and Casey.

"Did AJ eat a sandwich?" I asked. "I heard that guy with the earrings talking in the kitchen. Garrett was in there, too, but I'm not sure if they were the only ones. They were talking and laughing about someone getting food poisoning, and I thought I heard him mention a sandwich. I'm trying to think."

"Even if he did eat a sandwich," Casey said. He tilted his head and shook it. "No one would do that to AJ. They don't know him and would have no motive to do that. People don't waste their time on stuff without motivation. Unless you heard him say he did it."

Casey didn't seem concerned at all. My sister went into the kitchen, and he followed her that way. She asked him something about the song she played for them the night before, but I couldn’t concentrate on my sister and Casey. I went to the kitchen behind them, grabbing a bottled water from the fridge and trying to act unaffected.

"I was telling Brooks," Casey said to me. "I know you mentioned AJ working tomorrow, but I don't know if he'll feel up for it. I'll have to tell you later today."

"Aw, dang, that's too bad. I hate hearing that." I acted casual, but I couldn't get my mind off of it.

Summer had to go to the movie set. I had been planning on going with her, but ended up staying back. I did a good job of making my change of plans not reflective of the news about AJ being sick.

But I called him as soon as my sister left the hotel. She had Casey and Brooks with her, and I was alone. She made me promise to stay in since I didn't have an escort. I knew I would be leaving if I could get in touch with AJ. If that were the case, I would text to let her know, but by that time, she would be busy with the movie and unable to see it or respond.

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