Page 36 of I Don’t Need Your Protection (Harrington Bay Academy #1)

Caleb

Addie has been napping for quite some time now. I noticed she looked a little pale when she went to bed a few hours ago. It’s nearly seven. She missed dinner. I didn’t want to wake her because she went through an ordeal last night. But to sleep for so long?

Something doesn’t feel right.

I stand from my chair and head to her. She’s lying on her back with Ellie at the edge of her bed. Her face is a little red and sweaty.

My hand reaches out to touch her forehead and her cheeks, and my eyes grow large. She’s burning up.

My teeth clench when I realize she must have gotten sick from being out in the cold rain last night. Darn Clarissa and her friends.

There’s no time to think about them right now. I need to focus on Addie. She moans softly in her sleep, tossing from side to side.

She needs to see the nurse.

“Addie?” I whisper, gently tapping her cheek.

She moans and turns to her side.

“Addie, you’re burning up. I think you have a fever.”

She continues to sleep. If I was able to, I’d carry her to the infirmary, but of course I can’t do that. Addie looks like she has no intention of getting out of bed. But I can’t let her sleep without getting checked out. She could be seriously ill. I have to wake her up.

“Addie.” I gently shake her arm. “We need to get you to the infirmary. I’m sorry, but this is very important. I think you might be sick.”

Her eyes flutter open into slits. “Huh?” she whispers. Her eyes shut again.

When I repeat that she needs to go to the infirmary, her eyes open fully. “I’m not going there.” Her voice is very weak and sleepy.

“But you might be really sick.”

She shrugs and turns onto her side.

Releasing a breath, I plow my fingers through my hair. Normally, I love her stubbornness, but not right now.

Bending forward, I whisper, “How about we get the nurse to come here? Would you be okay with that?”

“Mhmm.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I guess.”

Considering I shouldn’t be in her room when she’s sleeping like this or we’ll both get in trouble, I need a girl to call for the nurse. A girl who’s Addie’s friend and is someone I can trust.

My thoughts immediately go to her friends.

They’ve gotten very close to Addie and she trusts them.

Heck, she even told them her secret earlier today.

I was a little hesitant when I heard the news, but I also trust those girls.

Even though I don’t know them, I’ve been observing them and I know how much they care about Addie.

It’s not surprising she felt like she could confide in them.

Like I told her earlier today, they’re like sisters.

I reach for Addie’s phone and text Carly to come to her room. She seems the closest to Addie.

As I wait for her to arrive, I place my hand on Addie’s forehead. She’s still pretty hot.

There’s a knock on the door.

“Yes?” I call.

“It’s Carly.”

I open the door a tiny bit for her to slip in because I don’t want anyone to see me in here. Carly’s eyes scan me from my head to my toes, and her jaw falls open.

“Um, hi,” she says. Her eyes skip over to Addie and they widen. “She’s still in bed?”

Nodding, I motion for her to follow me as I walk to Addie’s side. “Her face is pretty hot and I suspect she has a fever. She refuses to go to the infirmary, so you need to call the nurse. I can’t do it because I can’t be seen.”

Carly’s eyebrows furrow as she takes in my words. She reaches for Addie’s hand and clasps it in hers. “She really is hot.”

I nod. “This is most likely because Clarissa and the others abandoned her in the cold and rain last night. You need to call the nurse immediately. I’m not sure if she visits students’ rooms, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“No, she does. I mean, she’d rather the students come to the infirmary, but of course she’ll come to the rooms if they need her. I’ll call her.”

I nod again. “You need to remain here while I hide in the closet. As far as we’re all concerned, I’m not here. Do you understand?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, thank you. Sorry for ordering you around, but Addie’s safety and health are my top priority.”

“No, I totally get it. And I care about her health and safety, too.”

“All right. Wait until I’m hidden in the closet before you call the nurse.” I slide into the closet and shut the door behind me. “Please call the nurse now.”

She does and explains to the nurse that she thinks Addie is sick. After she ends the call, she informs me that she’ll be here as soon as she can.

There’s a small opening between the door and the wall and I have a view of Addie and Carly. Carly is still holding her hand, and I’m sure she’s wearing a concerned look on her face.

I know this isn’t the right time to be mad at Clarissa for causing this, but can anyone blame me? Addie and I thought it’s best that she not report what happened at the sleepover, but that doesn’t mean I won’t mutter more curses under my breath.

The nurse arrives and checks on Addie. She reports that while Addie does have a fever, it’s nothing to be alarmed about.

Addie is conscious now and she nods as the nurse talks to her and gives her medicine.

She tells Addie and Carly that she’s not so sick that she needs to go to the infirmary, but she tells Carly to spend the night here and if Addie gets worse, she should take her to the infirmary immediately.

Both girls thank the nurse and she leaves.

I wait a beat or two before exiting the closet.

Addie is sitting up in bed, looking a little better than she did a few minutes ago. I make my way to her and ask, “How are you feeling?”

“Crummy.”

I nod in understanding. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well.”

“It’s not your fault, but thanks.”

I nod again. She looks at me and I look at her.

Carly shifts in place. I forgot for a second that she’s in here. I turn to her and say, “Thanks for being here.”

“Of course. Addie’s my best friend. If you need me to stay the night, Addie, I’m here.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I tell her. “I’ll remain here all night and I’ll watch over Addie.”

Carly turns to Addie with a raised brow, as if asking her if that’s okay.

Addie nods with a smile. “Caleb can stay. Like I mentioned earlier, he’s been living in my room since our first day here. I’ll be fine. ”

“Okay,” Carly says. “Is it all right if I tell Sophie and Raven that you’re sick? I’m sure they’ll want to visit you.”

Addie glances at me.

I wave my hand. “Your friends are always welcome here. But only your friends. No one else.”

Addie smiles in appreciation, and the look in her eyes tells me she’s once again thanking me for trusting her friends.

“What about Warner?” Carly asks.

Addie glances at me again.

“He’s not allowed in here, but he can always text you,” I say.

Addie’s shoulders slump, and I can’t miss the disappointed look on her face. Truthfully, seeing how upset she is over another guy is like a stab in the heart. The thought of her having another guy on her mind doesn’t sit well with me. Of him holding her…

But it’s selfish of me. I’m just her bodyguard. I want her to live a normal life. Even if it is with Warner Hearst. I still don’t trust the guy, but maybe I’m hating on him for no reason. The guy likes her and she likes him. I have no right to get between them.

Sighing and pushing my feelings aside, I say, “Warner can come visit you as well.”

The bright smile on her face nearly kills me. Turning away from her, I plop down on my chair and let my gaze roam around the area. Addie grabs her phone, most likely texting Warner that she’s not feeling well and she’d like him to come see her .

Her other two friends visit her about half an hour later and they bring dinner with them. They were kind to also bring a portion for me, and I thank them.

The girls chat and laugh as they eat. Addie’s still not feeling well, but I know her friends are definitely helping her get better. They also grumble how evil Clarissa and her friends are for causing her to get sick.

I remain in my seat, eating my food and keeping watch. I notice Addie’s eyes flitting to the door every so often. She also checks her phone. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who she’s waiting for.

Would I be a total jerk if I admitted that I’m glad Warner hasn’t visited her? I’d be happy if that guy was no longer part of her life.

But she’s very upset, and that kills me. Seeing Addie frowning and not smiling makes my heart hurt in a way it never did before.

The only thing I want to do is make that girl smile. But the truth is? There is only one person who can make her happy right now and he seems to have other pressing matters to attend to.

Later, after her friends leave, I prepare another hot bath for Addie, which she really appreciates. Then she snuggles up in bed with Ellie. I head over to tuck the blanket around her to make sure she’s warm and toasty.

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.”