CHAPTER FIVE

E van

I’m not fine.

I wake up and hurry to the bathroom, making an impromptu stop in my bedroom that can only be described as messy.

Ugh.

“Evan?” Vinnie’s voice wafts in from the next door.

Fuck.

“Not...feeling...good,” I grunt.

Footsteps hurry toward me.

Double fuck.

My stomach churns, and I hurl again.

“Stay away. I missed the first time.”

I close my eyes, holding onto the porcelain bowl. Vinnie flicks on the light, then I hear running water. Shortly after, a wet washcloth is pressed against my forehead.

“You’re going to be okay,” he says.

Our fingers touch as I take the washcloth from him.

“I’m going to call Dr. Novak and clean the bedroom,” Vinnie says, his voice rough.

“You don’t have to do that...”

“Not up to you.”

“I hate you,” I grumble.

The sound of him speaking to Dr. Novak is soothing. I don’t throw up again.

After a few minutes, Vinnie reappears. “I’m putting Dr. Novak on speaker.”

“Okay.”

“Hello, Evan.” Dr. Novak speaks to me, and we decide to call again in the morning. Maybe some more sleep will make me feel better.

I brush my teeth, then tumble back into my bed.

Vinnie slides the cover over me.

“I don’t need to be tucked in,” I mumble.

“I’ll refrain from telling you a bedtime story.”

“You already did. Where did you learn how to do voices?”

Vinnie chuckles. “I’ll be right back.”

I blink. “I’m fine now.”

Vinnie appears again, hauling a mattress over his shoulders.

I frown half-heartedly. “You’re rearranging my furniture.”

“Sorry.” Vinnie sets the mattress down. “You have company tonight.”

“Not necessary,” I mumble, but I close my eyes, and as I fall asleep, it occurs to me that I am grateful he’s here.