Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Just trust me,” I reply and kiss her forehead. “And don’t overthink it. I’m just here to help with the flu today, Wills. And I love you, so I’m not going to leave you here to fend for yourself. That would just be cruel.”
“Well, I guess there’s no time like the present to jump into the deep end. You’ve seen him when he’s fun and playful, and even when he’s being a handful. Now, you get the rough stuff. We’ll see if you’re still here in two days.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“It’s a fact.”
“Have the others before always bailed when it got rough?”
She sighs. “I’ve never given them the opportunity to make it this far. This is new territory for both of us.”
I can hear Alex emerge from the bathroom, so I quickly tug her to me and kiss her hard.
“I’ll be here. In two days. In twenty years. And I’ll prove it to you, one day at a time.”
Chapter Seventeen
~Willa~
“I’M SO BORED,” Alex whines, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in one hand, and the remote control to the TV in the other.
It’s Sunday evening, and his fever finally broke this afternoon. Which means, he’s feeling much better. He moved from his bedroom to the living room this morning, where he’s watched everything from Captain America—for the twentieth time—to Harry Potter. Rocky has been great about sticking close to his boy for cuddles and food scraps.
They’re a team now.
“I know, Bubba, but you have to rest. You’re still getting better,” I remind him.
“At least I get to go to school tomorrow,” he murmurs as I walk into the kitchen.
Max walks in from outside, shaking snow from his jacket and boots.
“We got another foot, easy,” he says with a grin. He’s been here since we got home two days ago, helping with everything from cool baths to bring the fever down to taking Rocky outside to go potty.
The billionaire who made People’s sexiest people in the world list has become quite domesticated.
“Thanks for shoveling,” I reply and boost myself up on my toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?”
“Is that even a question? Of course, I do.” He pats my butt as he walks past me to wash his hands in the kitchen sink. “How’s the patient?”
“Bored,” I reply with a sigh. “But feeling better.”
“My mom said this would be a stage of the process,” he says, drying his hands on a towel.
“You talked to your mom?” I ask with a grin.
“Of course. I didn’t know what to get at the store, so I called her.”
“How is she?”
He leans in and presses his lips to my ear, sending a shiver down my back. “She’s elated that I’m with you.”
That makes me feel warm and happy. I always loved Max’s parents.
“Well, that’s good.”
He kisses my cheek. “It’s not bad. Does he need anything?”
“He says he’s excited to go back to school tomorrow, but I’m not sure about sending him.”
Max nods but doesn’t say anything.
“What do you think?”
“I’m not a parent,” he reminds me, and I immediately feel like shit again for telling him that he’s not Alex’s dad last week.
“You’re an adult who cares about my kid, and I’m asking for your opinion. Please.”
“Well, he hasn’t been fever-free for twenty-four hours yet, so he could still infect someone else at school. Not to mention, he needs to rest, continue with the fluids, and we need to get more food into him.”
“How do you know this?”
“I consulted WebMD,” he says, his voice full of pride, which makes me smile. He truly does love my boy. “Besides, I really would rather he was here where we can keep an eye on him. What if he relapses? And you know the teacher won’t look out for him the way we will.”
“I understand.” I slip my hand into his and link our fingers. “You’re quite protective, you know.”
“I protect what’s mine,” he says softly but doesn’t elaborate. “So, I say he stays home one more day.”
“I agree.” I nod and walk into the living room with another bottle of Gatorade and a sleeve of saltines. “Bubba, I think it’s best if you stay home one more day.”
“Oh, man,” he says in disappointment. “Am I being punished? I didn’t get sick on purpose.”
“No, you’re not.” I feel his forehead, then lean in and press my lips there to check for fever. “We don’t want you to make anyone else sick. It’s best for you to rest up, snuggle Rocky, and then you’ll be good to go on Tuesday.”
“Okay.”
He’s not arguing too hard, which tells me he still doesn’t feel fantastic. Keeping him out of school is the right move.
“How about this? Because you were awesome at Nana and Papa’s house this week, and you can’t go to school tomorrow, I’ll reinstate your privileges a day early.”