Page 89 of Unraveled

“Shit.” Even a couple days after Kellan had told me he was coming down with a cold, I’d really thought I was in the clear. But I wasn’t. It started with a sore throat, and nasal congestion, but now it was a fever.

“That along with your lowered white blood count means you need to go to the hospital. The ER since it’s a Sunday.”

“You know Kellan will flip once he finds out.” He’d blame himself fully.

She put her hands on her hips. “He’d flip more if you were to ignore your nurse’s advice and not go.”

I knew better than to go against Patty’s advice. “True. But if it’s viral, what can they do?”

“Maybe nothing, but they can monitor you. Pack a bag, honey. Hopefully you won’t need to stay, but it’s best you have it in case.”

Forty minutes later I was in the ER, hooked up to an IV. Turned out in addition to the fever, I was dehydrated, so they’d decided to pump some fluids in me. I knew it was all precautionary, but it didn’t keep me from worrying. Knowing what the news of this would do to Kellan, I’d put off calling him. But I couldn’t put if off any longer. He’d already left a voice message and texted me.

“Hello,” he answered on the first ring. His voice didn’t sound any better than it had yesterday.

“Hey. How you feeling?”

“Better, although I sound worse. I went into the clinic and got some meds. They said I have bronchitis and a sinus infection.”

“I’m glad you went in to see someone.”

“Me too. Anything to get to see you sooner.”

God, he was sweet.

“You doing okay? You sound a little stuffy.”

“Actually, I think I may have a cold.”

“How bad? Do you have a fever?”

“Unfortunately, I do. Patty brought me into the ER as a precaution since my white blood cell count is down. They’re putting some fluids in me in the hopes I can feel better faster.”

He was silent.

“Kellan?”

“I’m here. Just so damn mad at myself.”

“For what? Who says you passed it on? It’s that time of year: cold and flu season. I’m coming into contact with who knows what whenever I’m in the hospital—and I was just here Monday.”

“Are they admitting you?”

“Not so far, which is a good sign.”

“Did you call your brother? Or your parents?”

“Not yet. I wanted to call you first.”

“You don’t know how much I hate that I can’t drive down there to be with you.”

“Believe me, I do. But I’m hoping my being here will make you worry less than if I’d told you I didn’t need to go to the doctor at all.”

His sigh was audible. “Yeah. You’re right. I’m sorry, Layla.”

“Don’t be. I’ll text you once I’m home. Keep feeling better.”

“You, too.”