“I’ll be in the UK a few weeks, but you have your studies here and…” A huge grin lit up Suzy’s crinkly face. “You have your young gentleman friend to get back to. His sporting good luck charm, I hear?”
I blushed and dipped my head. “Yeah, I’ll probably be there only a week if that’s okay? The Tide is set to make the SEC Championship in a few weeks’ time, and if they win, there’s the BCS in… in…”
I shot off my chair and ran to the waste basket and vomited in gut-wrenching heaves. Suzy came behind me, rubbing my back in soft circular motions. I took her offered tissue and wiped my mouth, rolling onto my backside and pressing my hand to my head. “Ugh, I feel rough.”
Suzy eyed me worriedly. “Are you coming down with something? You seem to have been off for the last couple of weeks.”
“I think so. I’ve been vomiting for the past few days. It must be a stomach bug or something I’ve eaten. I thought the chicken I ate a couple of days ago tasted funny. It’s probably that.”
“You work too hard, Molly. You’re burning yourself out. Take the rest of the day to sleep and feel better. Yes? Come back fighting fit and we’ll tie up the loose strands of this sodding paper tomorrow.”
“I’m not going to argue with that. Thank you.”
Suzy helped me stand and I instantly felt queasy again, swaying on my feet.
“Is there anyone I can call? Your roommates? Perhaps your young man?”
I shook my head and leaned on her desk for support. “No, I’ll—” A wave of nausea crashed through my stomach again and I practically dived on the floor and gripped the rubbish bin just in time.
“Dear me, Molly,” Suzy said with her hand on her chest.
I reached into my pocket retrieved my phone, holding it out without lifting my head from the bin. “Can you call Cass? I know she has classes near this building. She’ll come and get me.”
“Absolutely. I’m worried about you. You look very pale.”
I took an exaggerated breath through my nose and leaned back against the cold wall for support, closing my eyes.
Bloody great.
“Woo, girl. You look like Grouch from Sesame Street.” I cracked open my closed eyes. “Eww, I take that back. You just look like shit!”
I forced a smile. “Hey, Cass.”
She bent down, scooping me in her arms, and set me on my feet. “You still feelin’ sick?”
I frowned. “It just keeps coming in waves. I say we get home now before it comes back.”“On it, girl. My truck’s out front.”
Cass called ahead and Lexi and Ally were in my room when I arrived, equipped with Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Pepto-Bismol, and hot and cold towels. I couldn’t help but giggle at their efforts.
Lexi came over and hugged me. “You okay, Molly?”
“Just a stomach bug, guys. No biggie.” I walked to my bed and climbed in, already feeling better surrounded by all the comforts of home.
“I’ve left a message on Rome’s phone,” Ally informed.
“You didn’t have to do that. He’s at all-day practice anyway.”
“Then he’ll get it when he’s done.” She reached for a cool towel, laying it over my forehead, and all three of them piled on the bed with me.
“So what movie we gonna watch?” Lexi asked.
“I plan on sleeping,” I announced as I pressed my fingers to my throbbing temple, eyes closed.
“Well, we’re staying put in case you need us, so we’ll have to choose one for ourselves.” Cass began tearing through my DVD stash in the basket at the foot of my bed.
“Okay, thanks guys.” I propped myself up against the pillows, inhaling deeply, nausea fading.
Ally leaned on her elbow next to me, her Spanish eyes apprehensive. Bugger, I knew that look.
“What now?” I groaned.
“Shelly’s been talkin’ shit again.”
Had to be.
“What’s she saying now?”
“That she’s been spending all her free time with Rome’s momma and daddy and that she’s having Christmas with them… and with Rome… without you.”
“It’s bull. He hasn’t even spoken to any of them since their little messed-up intervention a few months ago. We’re gonna spend Christmas together, here, no family drama. Just us, in case he has to leave for the National Championship in California.”
Ally laid her hand over mine. “My parents wanted to know if you would like to come to our house in Birmingham?”