Page 80 of Finn Rhodes Forever

I was editing a graph when I heard the rustle of sheets. My head whipped up to see Finn throw the bathroom door open and heave into the toilet.

Oh god. I ran to the bathroom.

“Liv, go home,” Finn gasped in between rounds.

“No.” Fuck. I didn’t know what to do. “You’re sick.”

“I’m fine. It’s just a stomach bug.” He leaned over and threw up again.

I put my hand on the back of his neck. His skin was so hot. “You’re burning up.” Nerves twisted in my stomach. “I’m calling Beck.”

Finn sighed. “Liv, I’m fine.”

In the kitchen, I scrolled through my contacts until I found Beck’s name. He answered on the third ring. There was noise in the background, people talking. He must have been at the hospital.

“Hey. What’s wrong?”

Guilt nudged my stomach. Beck was the guy people called when something was wrong.

“Finn has a fever and he’s throwing up.” I glanced at Finn sitting on the edge of the tub. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Sounds like the flu. What’s his temperature?”

“I don’t know.” I should have taken his temperature before calling.

“It’s okay, just take his temperature after we hang up.” Beck’s voice was calm and steady and a couple knots loosened in my stomach. “If it’s above 102 Fahrenheit, call me back. He needs sleep and fluids. If he’s throwing up for more than six hours, call me. If he has a hard time breathing, call me. Does that make sense?”

“Yep.” I sounded breathless. “Got it.”

“Olivia, don’t worry. He’s healthy. I did his routine checkup for the fire department last month. He’ll be fine. If you get freaked out, call me.”

“Yep. Okay.” I nodded to myself. “Thanks, Beck.”

We said goodbye and I followed Finn back into his bedroom. I helped him into bed before I just sat there, watching him fall asleep, broad chest rising and falling softly. The guy felt like absolute garbage but he had been ready to endure a two-day hike to help me out.

I couldn’t leave him to fend for himself. I had to take care of him.

He’d do it for me.

32

Olivia

Half an hour later,I sat on the bed beside Finn, taking his temperature. The thermometer beeped. A hundred and one Fahrenheit.

“Am I going to die?” Finn mumbled.

“Hilarious.” I frowned and reached for the orange juice I had bought at the pharmacy. “Are you still nauseous?”

He shook his head and sat up, drinking the orange juice. Even after I brought all my blankets from my apartment and loaded them on top of him, he was shivering.

He scanned my face with weak amusement. “Don’t look so worried, frowny face.” The corner of his mouth lifted but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not going to die.”

My brow furrowed. “I know.”

He finished the orange juice and lay back into the pillows. “You don’t need to stay here. I don’t want to get you sick.”

“I’m not leaving.” I stood and retrieved my laptop from the kitchen before taking the spot beside Finn on the bed. “Let me know if you want lunch. I bought soup.”

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