Page 66 of Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

I laugh, but then groan when it hurts. Allie frowns as she reaches over and feels my forehead. I’m too busy opening up my pretty present to bat her hand away.

“Holy hot girl, Bella. You’re burning up.”

“I’m sick,” I state flatly. “And you need to go before you get it and make my niece sick later.”

She stands and moves across from me like that will somehow keep her from getting infected.

I roll my eyes when I finally get the stubborn box open. My arms are weak, and so is my grip. Tearing into that thin box was like tearing into a wooden crate that had too many nails.

“What is it?” Allie asks, and I pull out the slinky nightie to answer her question.

“Something that will be returned to the sender. After I hack it into tiny pieces.”

I start to get up and get scissors, but my body feels too heavy, as if it’s getting worse by the second. I had so better not be sick in the morning. I only have one damn shift tomorrow. I’d rather be sick on a double shift day so that I can call in and really stick it to them.

I drop the box instead of expending precious energy on cutting the nightie to pieces. Not worth it.

“Get out of here. Save yourself,” I say dramatically as I curl up on the couch and cover my eyes.

“I’m not leaving you like this with no one here to take care of you. We’ve always helped each other out when sick.”

“Things change, Allie. I’m a big girl now. Promise. I even have the big girl panties to prove it.”

I expect her to laugh, but when I look over at her, she’s staring at me with tears in her eyes.

“I take it back? I’m not a big girl now?” I say playfully, still hoping for a smile.

“I feel like I’ve abandoned you, and you’re starting to push me away like you do everyone else.”

A heavy sigh leaves my lips, and I attempt shaking my head. Bad idea. Never shake your head when it feels like a bowling ball on your shoulders. I miss the balloon feeling it had earlier now.

; “No, Allie. I swear I’m not. I’m just trying to adjust… Same as you. I’m sick. I’m not dying. You have a life with a really great guy, and your daughter has never been happier. Go live that life, and stop worrying about me. It’s really annoying.”

I smile to let her know I’m joking, and she returns a watery smile at me.

“I’ll go buy you some supplies at least.”

“If you must,” I say around a yawn. “My debit card is in my purse.”

She stands, and I watch her walk out without my debit card. Damn good friend is going to get her ass kicked if she tries to pay for my sick-girl supplies.

My eyes grow heavier and heavier until I’m suddenly on the back of a rhino who is tackling a hippo. Damn hippos are everywhere. I better not get trampled again.

Chapter 32

ETHAN

It’s her day off, which I learned after braving the hospital again. Fortunately I didn’t have to run into the linebacker devil woman to figure that out.

Just as I decide to drive by her house, I see her red Acura pass me, and I follow her all the way to her driveway because I’ve gotten pathetic like that.

I didn’t give her the chance to explain, but now I’m demanding that she listen to my explanation. My hypocrisy really shouldn’t surprise her by now.

Weirdly, Allie is the one who steps out of the Acura when I get out of the car, and she puts her hands on her hips as she stares at me.

“Why are you driving Bella’s car?” I ask, as though I have the right to.