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That wasn’t really an option, though, so I did the next best thing. I pulled out my favorite blankets and pillows and transformed the couch into the perfect place to crash. I sat down and let out a big sigh. Creating my spot had sucked out the very last of my energy, and even lifting the cup of tea seemed like it took effort.
I still hadn’t canceled for tonight, but I knew I had to, and putting it off wasn’t going to change the fact that I wasn’t fit company for anyone. I let out a sigh and picked up the phone. Might as well get it over with.
Nash
I was out in the back pasture, replacing some old boards on the back of the lean-to. I’d pulled out all the boards with rot and only had about three more to put up when I got a text notification from Spencer.
Just seeing his name on the screen was enough to make me smile. At least that was the case until I opened the text saying he had to cancel tonight.
Spencer: I hate to do this, but I’m going to have to cancel. They sent me home from work sick. I’m really sorry. I was looking forward to tonight.
Me: What’s wrong?
Spencer: It’s that virus going around. I feel like crap.
Obviously, if he thought I was gonna leave him at home by himself sick, I needed to have a talk with my boy about exactly how this whole thing worked.
Me: Are you home?
Spencer: Yeah, just got here.
Me: Okay, I’ll see you in a few minutes.
Immediately, little bubbles appeared on the screen, indicating that he was replying. Then they went away, then they came back, and then they went away and came back. Apparently, my boy didn’t know what to say.
Me: No arguing with me, cutie. I’m gonna finish up what I’m doing here, and then I’ll see you at your place.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket and got to work finishing up the board replacement. As soon as the last board was in place, I headed for the barn to find Murphy. As I expected, she was in the paddock behind the barn, working with one of the rescues that’d been here the longest. He was making great progress and would probably be ready for adoption soon.
When she saw me, she gave the horse a gentle pat on the hind quarter and headed in my direction.
“Hey, Nash, what’s up?”
“I just got a text message from Spencer. He went home from work sick, and I thought if there wasn’t anything urgent, I would head over to his place.”
“Did he catch that mess that’s been going around?” she asked.
“Sounds like it.”
“Well, there’s nothing pressing here, so you go right ahead. You should probably take an overnight bag if what he has is anything like what Margo had. V says it took her out for like three days.”
“I’ll do that, then, just to be safe.”
“Good. We have everything under control here. You go take care of your boy.”
Spencer and I hadn’t discussed what we were going to tell people about our relationship, but I hadn’t hidden the fact that, like our boss, Cruz, I was a Daddy. I suppose I could have corrected her, but I was so grateful for the time off with no questions asked that I didn’t bother.
Instead, I did exactly as she said and packed a bag. I stopped at the local dollar store and grabbed a miscellaneous array of cold medicines. Spencer probably already had some, but I figured better safe than sorry. After that, I made a stop at Caps and picked up some muffins. I didn’t know if he would feel like eating or not, but I knew he loved those muffins.
Then I stopped at the diner and got a couple of to-go containers of their chicken noodle soup. It might not be homemade, but it would have to do in this situation. I parked next to his car and went up the stairs to his door.
I knocked and waited. It took him longer than normal to come to the door, and when he pulled it open, I wished I’d left the stuff in the car so that my arms were empty. His face was flushed, his eyes were heavy, and he was holding on to the door frame like it was the only thing keeping him on his feet. So I did the only thing I could. I set the bags down on his porch, stepped inside the apartment, and pulled him into me. “Oh, baby, you look like death.”
I felt his body vibrate against my chest as a weak chuckle came out. “I don’t feel good, true, but I don’t think it’s quite that bad.”
“Maybe not, but you don’t look like you feel good, that’s for sure. You go sit back down. Let me put everything away.”
He peeked around my shoulder and down to the ground where all the bags were sitting. “What’s all that?”
