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“Uh, nice to see you too.” He remarks as he’s pushed aside.
Dawson ignores him and focuses on me. “I came to see how you’re feeling. Holden said you have a stomach bug.”
“She does, but we’ve got it covered. Medicine, fluids, and saltines – all the things you need to battle flu like symptoms.” Caleb answers for me, but his voice falters when Dawson turns around to glare at him.
“Did I ask you?!” He spits.
“D, calm down.” I try, knowing exactly what’s going through his mind.
“No. What’s he doing here?”
“He’s just being a good friend, making it so I’m not sick and alone.”
“How chivalrous.” Dawson sneers.
Caleb looks uncomfortable and goes to grab his sweatshirt off the couch. “I think I’m going to head out.”
A smug grin appears on Dawson’s face. “Probably a good idea.”
“No.” I contest. “Don’t. Dawson was just leaving.”
“What?” They both sound shocked, but I don’t back down.
“You heard me.” I look Dawson straight in the eyes. “Caleb’s being nice, and I’m really sick of you being all judgmental of our friendship.”
“It’s not just me. Holden thinks it’s-”
“Oh.” I interrupt “So, now you’re talking to Holden about me behind my back?”
He opens and closes his mouth while I glare at him. “No, Kayleigh. It’s not like that.”
I stand up and cross my arms. “Really? Because I think it’s exactly like that. If Holden doesn’t trust me, he can talk to me about it. But you being an asshole to Caleb is completely uncalled for and I’m not going to tolerate it.”
He sighs, running his hands over his face. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head and walk over to let him out. “Just go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Dawson doesn’t argue. Instead, he looks down at the floor and leaves. I swing the door closed behind him. As soon as the adrenaline leaves my body, I rush to the bathroom – barely making it to the toilet in time for all the Gatorade to come back up. Caleb enters behind me and holds my hair out of the way.
“How can you even handle being in this room right now?” I ask when I’m done.
He shrugs. “I’m more worried about you.”
I watch as he gets up and wets a washcloth. He comes back with it and wipes my face. It helps me feel better.
“Thank you.” I whisper.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to defend me back there.”
“Yes, I did. He’s being unreasonable, and you haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Still, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t say anything – especially while you’re sick.”
He leans against the bathtub and pulls me back. I lie down with my head in his lap. The cold tiles feel good against my back. He places the washcloth on my forehead and runs his fingers through my hair, looking down at me with a fond expression. Suddenly, a thought goes through my mind that makes my breath hitch.
Fuck.
Chapter 16
