My throat burned, and my body ached. I turned on my side, and the next thing I knew tiny hands were shaking me awake. “Is he dead?”
“Let’s hope not,” Penny said with amusement in her voice. “Why don’t you guys go upstairs and wash your hands, and I’ll take you all out for lunch. How does that sound?”
“Hooray!” They all let out little screams of excitement as if they’d been prisoners in their own home. I would have rolled my eyes had I had the energy.
Cold fingertips pressed against my forehead. “Trevor?”
“Penny.” I rasped her name. Damn she was pretty and I wasn’t even staring at her. I could feel her though, feel her beauty through her skin. Wait, was that even possible? “Penny?”
“I’m here.” Something cold and wet hit my forehead. “I think you have a fever. I’m going to get you some Tylenol to bring it down, okay?”
“So hot,” I grumbled and then gripped her wrist. “You feel cold.”
“Because you’re sick,” she said softly. “I’m sorry I’m late. It was busy at the coffee shop, something about Adrenaline doing a free concert.”
I snorted out a laugh. “We need music to do that.”
“Well, you could use your old stuff, though I’m not sure how the rumor got started.”
“You and Drew.” I might be delirious, but even I knew how easy it was to assume things, like the fact that she was out with Drew the night before and worked at a coffee shop that often had free mic night. “People like to draw conclusions. People are stupid, like his ego could even fit in that shit hole.”
“Excuse me?”
My eyes surged open, temples pounding, “Penny, no, not—that’s not what I—”
“You think I work in a shit hole?” She stood and crossed her arms.
No, I needed her to sit back down.
To touch me with her fingertips.
To talk to me and make me feel better.
“I’m sick, I’m not thinking clearly.” I knew I was already screwed by the hurt expression on her face. “Penny, please.”
“No,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. “You’re right, it’s better this way, better to know how you really feel. I’m the hired help, and I work in a shit hole.” Her smile was sad. “Kids, you ready?”
“Penny, just wait—” I tried to sit up but my skull felt like it was on fire, and I winced and fell back.
“I’m going to text your egotistical friend and let him know you can’t make it to the studio this afternoon, then I’m going to let your bandmates know that they need to pay their final respects.”
“I’m sick, not dying.”
She glared. “We’ll. See.”
“You plan on killing me for insulting you?”
“If the fever doesn’t get you then yes, it’s a huge possibility. You don’t have to be an asshole just because you’re sick, and just because you’re loaded doesn’t mean you get to make fun of where I work, got it?”
“I think the neighbors even got it, could you please keep your voice down?” I saw three of her. Still beautiful, even as triplets. “Penny? Would you look at me?”
“No. I’m pissed at you!”
“Dad, what’s pissed mean?” Malcom bounded down the stairs followed by Bella and Eric, each of them looking at me expectantly. I groaned and pulled a throw-pillow over my head.
“Who wants McDonald’s?” She clapped her hands. Loudly. The next thing I knew all of the kids were running out the door and she was sending me one last sad look over her shoulder.
Sleep overtook me again.
