Page 96 of I Don't Need Your Protection

Just as I leave, she whispers, “Caleb?”

I turn around.

“I’m cold.”

I guess she’s not as warm and toasty as I thought. “I’ll look for another blanket. Maybe you can have mine.”

I’m about to go to my bed, but she breaks her hand free from her cocoon and grabs my hand. Her eyes drop to the floor for a second before they meet mine again. “Can you…keep me warm?”

I stare into her eyes for what feels like forever before I nod. “Of course.”

I slide under her blanket and wrap my arms around her. Closing hers around my waist, she rests her head on my chest.

“Thanks,” she whispers.

I push some hair away from her eyes. “Of course,” I say. And I add in a very low whisper as I sweep my lips across her temple, “I’d do anything for you.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Addie

My eyes open and I take in my surroundings. I know it’s Monday and that it’s late because I’m not dead tired like I am every day. And Caleb’s trumpet didn’t blast in my ears.

Then I remember. I’m sick. I got permission from the nurse to miss classes today. She came by about an hour ago to check on me and told me my fever has dropped, but it’s not back to normal yet and I should spend the day getting a lot of rest. She hopes I’ll be able to resume classes tomorrow.

Glancing around, I find Caleb sitting on his chair. His eyes are on me, and I notice the small smile on his lips when he realizes I’m awake.

He gets to his feet, stepping toward my bed. “Good morning,” he says. “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts a little, but I’m okay.” I squint as I stare at him. “Did you get any sleep?”

He shakes his head. “Barely an hour, but don’t worry about me.”

I don’t like that, but I know by now not to argue with him. “So you skipped school, too.”

“Of course. I’m not leaving you out of my sight.”

That makes me smile. “Thanks.”

He nods.

I think back to last night. Didn’t I ask him to climb into bed with me to keep me warm? Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about that. When I woke up this morning, he wasn’t in my bed. And I was too tired and busy with the nurse to think about it. But now that it’s just him and me, I can’t stop the thoughts from taking over.

I’m not embarrassed that he slept in my bed. Ilikewhen he holds me. But then I remember Warner and I are…well, I’m not even sure what we are. He hasn’t visited me or texted me. Does he even care that I’m sick? Has Clarissa somehow manipulated him into not coming to see me?

I’m a little angry. Not hurt. Angry. If he really liked me, wouldn’t he want to visit me? Does he even know the real truth of what happened at the sleepover or would he just take Clarissa’s words?

Caleb watches me with narrowed eyes. “Are you okay?”

I like confiding in him, but I’m sure the last thing he wants to hear about is Warner. “Yep. Totally okay.”

He makes a face like he doesn’t believe me, but doesn’t press the subject.

We sit in silence.

“I guess I’ll go to the bathroom and stuff.” I get up and go there. I’ll probably stay in bed most of the day, so I won’t change out of my pajamas. Caleb is dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, looking so casual and sexy that my body gets warm just thinking about it.

As I wash my face and brush my teeth, I realize that I don’t want to think about Warner. He just makes me mad and fills me with negativity. Caleb makes me feel good. Cared for. Not so alone.