Page 37 of Learn the Play

Stopping outside her door, I pull in a deep breath and slowly exhale. I don’t know if she’s going to let me in. She knows I’m on my way, but will she open the door for me? I guess there’s only one way to find out.

Raising my hand, I rap my knuckles against the door and start to count. I’m almost to one hundred when the door opens. Bellamy stands there, her hair a mess and no makeup on. She’s wearing pajamas with stars and moons all over them, and she’s never looked more beautiful. I can see in her big brown eyes that she’s not feeling her best.

“I brought a few things,” I say, holding up the bags.

She steps back, allowing me to come inside.

“I wasn’t sure about food, so I stopped and got some chicken soup, and then there are a few other things that the internet told me to try for an upset stomach, and this.” I hand her a paperback book. “The woman at the pharmacy said it was popular with the ladies. I know you read, and you might have read it, but yeah.” I shrug.

“Thank you, Reid. I haven’t read it, and this is very sweet of you, but unnecessary.”

Closing the space between us, I rest my free hand that’s not holding the goods against her cheek. “I was worried about you.”

“So I’ve been told.”

I smile. “Amanda gave me the third degree. She didn’t hand over your address easily,” I tell her. “I hope you’re not mad.”

Her shoulders drop. “I’m not mad.”

“Are you hungry?”

She shakes her head, her face looking a little green at the thought of food. “Okay, I’ll put that in the fridge for later. There’s also crackers, ginger ale, Sprite, and peppermints,” I say, moving toward her kitchen. I put what needs to be refrigerated away and leave the rest on the counter.

“What are you watching?” I ask her.

“Gilmore Girls.”

“Nice.” I sit on the opposite end of the couch, pull her feet into my lap, and start to massage them.

“Reid?”

“Yeah?” I turn to look at her.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking care of you.”

“You’re supposed to be at a cookout with your friends.”

“I was, but you needed me.”

“I’m fine, just a little blah,” she says, just as she did on the phone.

“Well, now, I’m here in case you need anything.”

“You don’t have to babysit me.”

I chuckle. “I’m not. I’m sitting with my girl, hoping to help her feel a little better while she’s under the weather. Now hush. I need to see what happens.”

“You want to watch this?”

“Bell, baby, I’d watch paint dry if that meant I got to spend time with you.”

She doesn’t say anything, but her cheeks turn pink as she pushes her gaze back to the TV and pressesplay. I’m watching, but I’m not paying attention. My hands gently massage her feet, and when I glance over, her eyes are growing heavy.

“Bellamy?”

“Yeah?”