I pick up the bag and slowly walk over, my chest hurting. A chill goes through me, and I’m positive the fever is back.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Alexis asks as Haley opens a package of gauze.
“Uhh,” Haley starts and turns, not realizing I’m so close behind her. I set the hay bag down outside the stall and look into her eyes.
“Yes,” I say. “I am. As long as she doesn’t mind, that is.”
Haley smiles, and the dim light in her eyes brightens. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Wow,” Alexis says, and I see that dying fangirl hurt in her eyes. I’ve seen it many times before. “My friends are not going to believe this.”
“Uh, Alexis,” Haley says. “Can you not tell anyone Aiden helped us steal the horse, or punched that guy?”
“Why?” she asks, her eyes wide with confusion. “He saved you, which is so totally something Gavin would do in Shadowland.” She flashes her braces as she smiles. “It’s so romantic.”
I smile at her. “Can I bribe you with a picture and an autograph?”
Alexis’s mouth drops, and she stares at me for a few seconds before nodding and running her hands over her hair. She moves out of the horse stall with her phone in her hand. Haley straightens up and offers to take the photo. If I look how I feel, then she’s not going to be proud of this photo. I hate bad photos of myself, but I don’t really care. The sooner I get this over with the better. I’m chilled and want to lie down with Haley in my arms.
Alexis jumps around with excitement, chattering away about sending the picture to her friends to make them jealous. I laugh, run my hand through my hair, and go into Aurelia’s stall. Haley was right: this little girl is in need of attention. She rubs against me and prances, trying to get me to play. After a few minutes, she settles down again and lies down with her head in my lap. I fold the horse blanket over both of us, trying not to shiver.
I lean against the stall and close my eyes, listening to Haley, Alexis, and her mom, Judy, talk about the horses and go about taking care of them all. I’m almost asleep when they get ready to leave at least an hour later.
“Haley,” Judy says. They are near the barn door, but I can hear them just fine. “How are you doing, honey?”
“I’m fine,” Haley says right away. “Getting there,” she adds then sighs. “Some days are harder than others.”
Clothing rustles, and I assume Judy pulls her in for a hug. “Your mother was my best friend for over thirty years. I miss her too.”
A few seconds pass before Haley softly says, “I feel like she’s here, in the barn.”
“She is,” Judy says back, her voice tight with emotion. “She’s way too stubborn to leave this place.” They both laugh. “You know, if you need anything, we’re just a phone call away.”
“I know. And thank you.”
“I mean it, don’t hesitate to call. And whenever you’re ready, I got a teenager who loves to clean stalls.”
“I bet she misses it,” Haley says, and I wonder if Alexis used to come here and help with the horses.
“She does, but she’s in no rush to get back. You take your time, honey.”
“Actually,” Haley starts. “I could use the help. And Shakespeare really needs to be ridden.”
“She’ll love that. Just let us know when.”
“I’ll figure something out. Thanks, Judy.” They walk out of the barn. I open my eyes only to close them again. My head hurts so fucking bad from the light.
“How did you meet an actor?” Judy asks, getting my attention. I sit up.
“Through work, oddly enough,” Haley says.
“He seems to really care about you, coming out and staying in the barn when he’s sick.”
I imagine Haley’s modest smile. “I hope so, because I really care about him.”
“I think your mother would approve of that one.”
“Maybe,” Haley says, and the doubt in her voice kills me. “Thanks for all your help, Judy.”
A car door shuts and then the engine starts. Gravel crunches under tires, and Haley comes back into the barn.
“Aiden?” she says softly. “Are you awake?”
“I’m not sure,” I mumble. Aurelia’s door slides open and I can feel Haley’s energy as she draws near.
“Your cheeks are flushed,” she says as she presses her hand to my forehead. “Shit, Aiden, you’re burning up!”
“I feel like it,” I admit. “Even though I’m so cold.”
“I’m getting you inside,” she says, and she helps move Aurelia off me. She snuggles into the blanket. I let Haley pull me to my feet, and I sway a bit, feeling like I’m drunk but without the fun. “I’m so sorry, Aiden. I shouldn’t have made you come.”
“You didn’t make me,” I say, putting my arm around her.
“Okay, I’m sorry I didn’t force you to stay here and rest.”
I laugh and kiss the side of her head. We walk through the yard and into the house. I sit at the kitchen table while Haley gets a thermometer.
“One hundred and two!” she exclaims when it beeps. “Aiden, you’re really sick.”
I nod. “I was feeling okay, then it hit me all at once.”
She gives me two pills and a glass of water. “We never ate dinner, either. Gah, I feel so awful!”
I pop the pills in my mouth and take a long drink of water. “Don’t, Haley.”
“I do. What do you want for dinner? I can make soup. And by make, I mean heat up something from a can.” She smiles and stands behind me, putting her hands on my shoulders. She massages my muscles, which are stiff from being hunched over. “Or I can cook something. It’s up to you.”
“Soup is fine,” I say, tipping my head back a bit. “Do you have tea?”
“Uh, maybe. You drink tea?”
“I am British.”
“Oh, right.” She pushes her hands forward, running them down my chest, and bends over, kissing my neck. It’s amazing how badly I want her all over again, despite feeling like complete and total shit.
I fold my arms on the table and lay my head down while Haley moves around the kitchen. She drapes a blanket over my shoulders before we eat. It’s been a while since anyone has taken care of me like this. I forgot how nice it is.
After I eat, Haley gets me another cup of tea and ushers me upstairs into her room. Her bed, which is centered in between two windows and directly across from the door, is neatly made. She pulls the bedspread back then turns to me.
My head is pounding, each breath hurts, and I’m shivering. But I feel happy, completely happy. My arms go around her, and she hooks her fingers under the hem of my shirt. I lift my arms, letting her pull it off. She undoes my trousers next, slowly moving them down my legs. I step out of them and fall back into bed.
“Aren’t you getting in with me?” I ask her as she tucks me in.
She holds up her arms. Blood and dirt speckle her skin. “I need to shower. I think I have pus in my hair.”
“Attractive,” I say, and I close my eyes. Haley is going to take her clothes off and get wet in the shower. I want to go with her. I want to watch water stream down her naked body, feel her skin slippery beneath my hands. Getting out of bed, lifting her up, and pressing her against the shower wall while I fuck her isn’t something I can do right now. Fuck. I know I’m sick. Really fucking sick. “Hurry?”
“Of course.” She grabs clothes and leaves the room. Chrissy jumps up in bed next to me, turning around and lying on my feet. Chills plague me; I bring my legs up to my chest and pull the blanket over my head, shivering.
It feels like forever has passed before Haley joins me. She’s wearing a tank top and shorts, and her damp hair is pulled into a French braid. She turns off the lights and crawls into bed, thinking I’m asleep. She pulls the blanket back over both of us and puts her hand on my bicep.
“Goodnight, Aiden,” she whispers.
“Goodnight, Haley,” I whisper back.
Chapter 19
Aiden is fast asleep when I get up at seven thirty the next morning. I meant to get up earlier to check on the new guy, but leaving Aiden was harder than I expected. He held me in his arms the whole night.