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“How’d that go?”
“Well, I’ve figured out two things since I came back to Castle Springs and discovered my neighbor was J.T. O’Connell.”
“And what are they?”
“J.T. still hates me.” She finished her drink. “And I’m not over him.”
Chapter eight
"You have a bit of a plumbing issue."
For the second day in a row, J.T. was woken up by a knock on his door. He opened his eyes, then shut them again. It was way too bright. Why couldn’t it be cloudy today?
“J.T. it’s Ember. I’ve got something that might make you feel better.”
J.T. sighed, then sat up. The room spun and his head felt like a herd of wild horses were galloping through it. He took another moment, then went down the hallway, using the walls for support. He crossed the living room and opened the door, squinting against the sunlight.
Ember smiled. “Oh my.” He was still dressed from last night. He’d gone to bed without taking his clothes off.
“At least I took off my boots.” He walked away from the open door and dropped onto the couch with a groan. “How’d you know I needed something to make me feel better?”
“I saw Sawyer this morning. And he said you drank more than he did.”
He nodded toward the thermos in her hand. “I think I’m beyond black coffee.”
“That’s not what this is.” She went to the kitchen and took a glass from the cupboard, then returned to the living room and sat in the chair. She unscrewed the lid of the thermos and filled the glass with a yellowish liquid.
J.T. scowled. “No offense, but just looking at that makes me want to puke.”
“Trust me.” She held the glass out to him.
He studied it for a moment, then took it from her and smelled it. “What is it?”
“Electrolytes and vitamins. Alcohol makes you dehydrated. This will balance out your system and make you feel better.”
“Instantly?”
“No. But sooner than you would without it.”
He took a sip. It had a slightly bitter taste to it, but nothing too obnoxious. “Did they teach you this in nursing school?”
“No, actually I got it from my brother. He coaches high school football. Dehydration affects your body the same way, no matter how you got there.”
“Hmm. Did you give some of this to Sawyer?”
“Yes. He’s actually heard of it before. Being an athlete.”
J.T. nodded. “Right. He is that.”
“Drink it all. And I’ll leave this for you. Drink the rest of it tonight before you go to bed.”
“Even if I feel better?”
“Yes. Even so.”
He finished Ember’s concoction and set the glass on the table, then leaned back against the couch. “I don’t generally drink this much.”
“I figured. But it was your birthday. You were celebrating. Right?”
