Page 19 of Always Be My Baby

How dare he accuse me of having a boyfriend behind his back? And to think I was worried about his feelings and reputation with his frat brothers. I wanted to toss my glass of water at him. But I was too tired and too sick.

There was no fight in me. I didn’t care if he stayed or left. The ringing in my head and my temperature changing from hot and cold was already too much to bear.

“Let me help you to your bed.” Leah’s voice. Her hand on my forehead felt like ice.

Then another pair of hands supported me. Someone took off my flats and covered me.

Chapter Fourteen

Homemade Soup

Cammy

I drifted in and out of sleep for two days. Leah helped me drink water and sip some soup. Through the hazy slumber, a male’s voice sounded from a distance.

A part of me hoped it was Lucas so I could prove to Leah that he truly cared for me. If he had stayed or at least came every day to check up on me, I would give him another chance.

By the third day, my fever finally relented, and my stiff muscles eased. Apparently, my flu was worse than Leah’s.

Laughter and murmurs came from the other side of the door. Lucas? Leah was laughing with him? Impossible.

Leah didn’t like Lucas, and if it were up to her, I wouldn’t be with him. But you don’t get to choose who you love. Love chooses for you.

I sat up when a soft knock on the door reverberated, and before I could say a word, the door swung open.

“Cammy, you’re awake.” Leah smiled, coming toward me with a bed tray.

“You are too good to me,” I said. “What would I do without you?”

“You did the same for me, roomie. Just paying you back. Besides, what are friends for if you can’t use them?” She snickered.

After she placed the tray in a standing position across my lap, she sat on the edge of the bed with a beaming smile.

“You seem happy today,” I commented. “What’s going on? Did you meet someone? I heard a guy’s voice.” My stomach rumbled from the aroma and the sight of what appeared to be a homemade chicken noodle soup when I took off the plate that kept the bowl warm. Steam rose like ghost mists. “Did you cook this?”

Leah fanned a hand to her chest. “Me? Cook that? Hell no. You know I burn everything. Besides, I would never touch raw whole chicken.”

True. I’d never seen Leah cook. “Then where did you get this soup?”

“From the chef,” a manly voice answered.

I slowly craned my head toward the threshold. Grayson had his hands inside his jean pockets, leaning his back against the door. His blue T-shirt accentuated his eyes even more.

“Grayson?” I swallowed. “How? When? What are you doing here?” I tried not to sound too surprised.

“When you didn’t come to class, I got worried. I figured you would at least come to class to find out what you got on your test. You don’t seem to be the type to ditch.” He chuckled lightly.

Leah slid off the bed. “I told Grayson you were sick. Well, you’re better now, but you were sick. Last night he came back with homemade chicken soup. I fed you some, but you probably don’t remember because you were so drugged with Nyquil. You slept forever.”

I glanced between Leah and Grayson. “Thank you both for taking care of me. I really didn’t want to call my mom. And Grayson, you didn’t have to go out of your way to make me soup.”

My stomach already felt full, not from soup, but from his kindness, for caring. I felt a sharp pain in my heart. Lucas might have helped tuck me in bed, most likely from Leah’s harsh demand, but he never stayed. He had never cooked for me.

You deserve someone that cares about you when you’re sick. You deserve someone that walks you home. Leah’s words echoed in my mind. I did deserve someone better than Lucas, but regardless, Lucas had a year ahead of Grayson.

Lucas and I shared a year of good and bad. I couldn’t just toss him away, couldn’t let go of Lucas yet. But a part of my heart tugged toward Grayson. Help me.

“Well.” Leah’s voice broke Grayson’s and my stare. “I better get going. I have a class in a half hour.” Leah winked at me. “Have fun.” Then she turned to Grayson. “Can you put the tray back into the kitchen for me when Cammy is done? And thanks for the soup again. That was very sweet of you.”