Derailed (Clayton Falls #1)(35)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Nope. I just tell the guy I’m not interested.”

“You’re too nice.”

“My turn,” Gavin said loudly, even though he was across the circle and it definitely wasn’t his turn. “Never have I ever taken advantage of a girl because I was too much of a loser to know she deserved better.”

The circle got quiet, and Gavin glared in our direction. I knew the glare wasn’t meant for me.

I felt Ben tense beside me, but he stayed calm. “Anyone have a better question?”

I smiled at him, appreciating that he didn’t ruin the party by making a scene.

“There is nothing wrong with that question. Go ahead and take a drink.” Gavin seethed, as if itching for a fight.

Aaron jumped in before Ben could respond. “Never have I ever taken someone’s virginity.”

At least half the circle took a drink, including me. I laughed. It had been Ben’s first time too.

“Never have I ever had sex at over thirty thousand feet.” Ronny grinned. “I’m hoping to rectify that though.”

Tom took a drink.

“What? We never… who was it with?” Kelly turned to Tom, suddenly on a warpath.

“Okay, I think we’ve had enough of this game.” I ran into the kitchen and came back with the pack of cards. “Is anyone up to playing truth or dare?”

Everyone agreed.

“Who wants to go first?” I pulled a card from the deck.

“I will,” Ronny offered.

“Truth or dare?”

“Dare.” He grinned.

“Dance the Macarena in your underwear.”

“I’ll do it if someone can show me the dance.”

Daniela demonstrated and Ronny stripped down. Kelly and Tom were all over each other, so I figured it was as good a time as any to slip out.

I tugged on Ben’s arm.

He turned to me. “You doing okay?”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Only to someone who really knows you.” He said it nonchalantly, but his words spoke volumes.

“I’m not feeling great. Would it be okay if we left?”

“Absolutely, want to just go?”

“I think that’s best. I don’t want Kelly to get upset, but I really need to get out of here.”

He held out a hand. “Your chariot awaits.”

“Always my prince charming.”

“Always.”

I handed the cards to Katie and followed Ben out.

By the time Ben pulled into my driveway, the sore throat was worse and I had a killer headache.

“Are you going to be all right?”

“Yeah, I just need to get some sleep,” I reassured him.

“All right, but call me if you need anything or want me to pick something up for you. It’s no fun being sick with no one to help.”

“I will. Thanks for the ride.”

“My pleasure. Take care of yourself.”

“Good night.”

I got ready for bed, crawling under the covers as quickly as possible. I closed my eyes, hoping the dreams would give me a break for once.

Chapter Sixteen

The light of the train grew closer as I stood, unable to move. I vaguely realized that people were shouting at me to get off the tracks, but all of my focus was on the light coming toward me and the heat rapidly spreading through my body.

I woke up with a start. I was sweaty, but not the cold sweat of a bad dream. I still felt on fire. I kicked off the covers, but it didn’t help. I struggled out of my pajama pants, hoping for some relief from the heat. I winced when I tried to swallow, my head pounded, and my entire body hurt. I was really and truly sick. I wanted to take a cold shower, but the walk down the hall seemed insurmountable.

I rolled over, hoping a change of position would ease the body aches. It didn’t help. Pulling myself out of bed, I fumbled around for my purse, knowing I had a small container of ibuprofen. Shaking out two tablets, I threw the now empty bottle back in the purse and took a gulp of water from a bottle I’d brought home with me from the party.

I barely slept the rest of that night. I spent it tossing and turning, feeling miserable and hot. The hours dragged by. The numbers on the clock moved at a snail’s pace. When my phone rang at eight a.m. and Ben’s number flashed across the screen, I felt the first semblance of relief.

“Hello,” I croaked.

“Yikes. Not feeling any better, huh?”

“So much worse.”

“I was calling to see if you wanted to take a sailboat out, but obviously that’s not happening. Is it just a bad cold?”

“Fever, body ache, sore throat.” I tried to suppress a moan, but failed. I felt beyond miserable.

“Have you taken anything?”

“Two ibuprofen last night, but I’m out.”

“Hang in there. I’ll be over soon.”

“You don’t have to come.” I really hoped he wouldn’t listen.

“Like I said, I’ll be over soon.”

I tried to fall back asleep, but it wasn’t happening. Sometime later, I heard the front door open. I was glad I hadn’t demanded Ben return the key. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have made it downstairs. He quickly ascended the stairs. The squeaky second from the top step let me know he was close.

“Hey, love.” He sat down on the edge of the bed next to me. He touched a hand to my bare leg, but quickly removed it. “Wow, you are hot.” He reached up to touch my forehead. “Okay, let’s start with Tylenol.”

I heard the rustle of a plastic bag before he propped me up and handed me pills and water.

I painfully swallowed the medicine. The pills felt enormous. “Thanks so much. You didn’t have to come. I don’t want to get you sick.”

“Don’t worry about me. You haven’t eaten, have you? Are you hungry at all?”

“Not really.”

“At least have a few crackers.” He opened a pack of Ritz.

“The only kind of cracker I’ll eat.”

He smiled. “I know. Mom’s going to bring some of her soup over in a few hours, but hopefully this will hold you. I can make you tea or whatever.”

“Wow, you really know how to take care of a girl.” I cringed as I croaked out the words. I sounded worse than I expected.

“I’m Prince Charming, remember?”

“How could I forget?”

He got up suddenly. “I’ve got an idea.” He picked up my “Ben” box and rolled my desk chair over to the bed. “I’m sure this box can keep us busy until your meds kick in or you fall asleep.”