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Getting up from the couch, I strode toward the door to greet him.
“Thank you for coming,” I said as I ushered him inside River’s apartment.
Handing me the bag full of things I asked, he gave me a short, loving hug. “How bad is he?” he asked, sounding concerned. “I knew something was off the other night …”
Right, he was there at House of Blues, too. I was sure he witnessed Hailey draping herself all over him. Not that I was going to pry. I could only handle so much. And after the bombshell River had just dropped on me, hearing about how him and Hailey as a couple would leave me deranged.
“River?” I asked softly as I tenderly stared down at his quiet form, feeling helpless at his weakened state.
“I think he’s asleep,” Anton said, standing right behind me.
I was literally gone for a minute to let Anton in and River was out cold. Damn.
“How am I going to give him his meds now?”
Anton was downhearted, looking at River. “Maybe we should take him upstairs. He looks really uncomfortable.”
Eek. Biting my bottom lip, I shook my head at my dear friend. “That might piss him off. We’re not on the best terms.”
“You guys fight, make up, fight again.” He shrugged before mussing up my hair. “Trust me; that man would love to have your hands all over him.”
Not anymore, I thought. But Anton was right; River would rest better if he was in his own bed.
“Let’s get him upstairs, then.” Slipping off my shoes, I eyed Anton as I slowly woke River up.
Stroking his forehead, I gently leaned over his sleeping form before softly whispering into his ear, “Hey, I’m sorry to wake you. We’re going to help you upstairs. Can you stand up at least?”
“Hmm,” River grunted in response to my question.
“Okay, I guess that’s a go,” Anton cheerily announced before instructing me to take the opposite side before we gradually lifted him.
“Damn, he’s really heavy,” I exclaimed as I placed my shoulder underneath his.
Anton, being the stronger one, aided us slowly toward the stairs. River seemed out of it as I tried to softly speak to him, reassuring him as I asked him to lift his leg one at a time. We were beyond grateful upon reaching the landing. And in less than two minutes, we finally reached River’s bedroom.
Gently, we lowered him down on the mattress. Pale as he was, his lips were redder than usual. Gazing at his tranquil face, he reminded me of a sleeping angel. Softly brushing his hair away from his forehead, I lowered my body and kissed his feverish skin.
“It’s hot,” River mumbled with his eyes closed.
“Can you sit up so I can give you meds?”
He gave a nod, shifting his upper torso just enough to gulp down the pills. He was woozy, so I didn’t ask him to hydrate more.
Expectantly glancing at my friend, I let out a sigh before joining him a few feet away at the foot of the bed. “Should I turn on the AC?”
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.”
Well, damn. “Okay, I guess I can take his clothes off. Hopefully that’ll help him cool down a bit.”
Without Anton’s help, I pulled the covers down and began to pull his shirt off first. It was tricky to maneuver his deadweight, but I somehow managed, sweating as I did. Who would have thought stripping someone was such a hardship? He only had his Calvin’s on.
Just as I was about to put the covers back on him, Anton made a guttural groan.
“What?” I asked, turning to see what was wrong.
“I’m getting wet.”
Christ Almighty.
