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“Oh, God!” I ran to the trash can by the back door when bile shot into my mouth, and I emptied my stomach. This was so bad. My whole world was about to spin out of control.
“Ella, oh man. You gotta get a grip.”
I bobbed my head and tried to breathe through a second wave of nausea. “Please take them some water. Make up an excuse for me.”
“Here.” She handed me a wad of paper towels. “Don’t worry, I’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks.” I put my hand on my chest and blinked back tears as Brenda left.
It took several minutes for me to settle my stomach. Each time I tried to rinse my mouth with water, my gag reflex went off, and I dry-heaved into the trash can. I might have been calmer, but I was terrified to return to the dining room.
Blowing out a cleansing breath, I sent up a prayer and jumped when an arm wrapped around my waist.
“What’s going on?” Rocky turned me around. He quickly assessed me and took my face into his hands. “Are you sick?”
“Why did you tell my parents you were my boyfriend?”
“Because I am.”
“I should’ve been the one to tell my mom. Not you.” Tears burned my eyes. “They’re going to flip out and forbid me from seeing you.”
“Not happening. I’m fucking tired of hiding us, Ella. I saw an opportunity and took it.”
“Without discussing it with me first?”
“You disappeared.” He shrugged, putting his hands on my arms and rubbing them.
“Jesus, Rocky. You can’t do crap like that. They aremyparents, and I will deal with them. Not you.”
“I was trying to do right by you. Be the man.”
“I appreciate that.” I hooked my arms around his neck. “Really, I do. Now hug me before I go out there.”
He gave me a tight bear hug. “Did you throw up?” He sniffed the air.
“Oh my gosh.” I ripped myself out of his embrace and covered my mouth. “Can you smell it?”
“A little. Do you have the flu?” Disappointment marred his face. He probably thought we’d have to cancel tonight.
“No, I’m not sick like that. When I heard you told my parents you were my boyfriend, my nerves flipped out.”
“Brenda has a big fucking mouth,” he growled through his teeth. He wasn’t wrong.
“Can you do me a favor?”
“What?” He hiked a dark brow.
“Don’t go back out there. Just leave.” I pointed at the back door. “And we’ll meet up after I get off work.”
“No.”
“Please, Rocky. I really can’t deal with this drama in a public place.”
“No. If your old man gives you any crap, I will deal with him. I can’t do that if I’m not here.”
I covered my face and groaned. “Do you have to be so bossy?”
He grunted in reply.
