What Hurts The Most
Chapter Eighteen
I feel as if my head is going to explode.
I’m constantly freezing and I can’t seem to get warm. I’ve been doing this since we came home last night. Logan was a little worried but I kind of blew it off and told him to go on to bed. I tossed and turned the rest of the night but finally dozed off early in the morning…
I felt a warm hand across my forehead. My eyes quickly flutter open to see Logan.
“Good God, Caroline. You’re burning up!”
I ignore his comment and look at my alarm clock. “Shouldn’t you be going to work? You’re gonna be late.”
“I was getting ready but I think I’ll call in, looks like I need to take you to the Doctor.”
I shake my head. “No, you don’t. I’m fine, it’s probably just a virus or something.”
“I don’t think so.” He disagrees.
“I’m fine, Logan, just go on to work. You’ve already been off a few days anyway.”
“If I go, then who’s going to take care of you?”
“I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I’m probably just going to sleep all day, so you staying here wouldn’t do much good. Now, go on before you’re late.”
“Are you sure? I don’t feel good about leaving you here by yourself…”
“I have my phone, I’ll call if I need something, alright?” I try to reassure him.
“Fine, but I’ll be back at lunch.” He leaves the room and I wonder if he’s right… Is it more than a virus? Nah, it can’t be. I never get sick…
A few minutes later, Logan comes back in his uniform. “I’m leaving, so call if you need anything.” He leans over to kiss me but I push him away.
“Uh-uh! I have a fever, which means I’m contagious. I wouldn’t want you to get it.”
“I personally don’t care.” He adds and kisses my forehead. “See you at lunch.”
He disappears as I lay there and stare at the ceiling. I absolutely hated being sick! Not only do I feel horrible, but I get to enjoy my day by staying in bed. I can’t stand doing nothing all day, I need to move around and be productive…
For the next couple hours, I dozed in and out of sleep. I was so cold, I would get up and steal blankets from the closet and when that didn’t work, I stole Logan’s comforter. I knew my temperature was rising, I could feel it. So I took some over the counter meds, hoping that would make it come down. But as soon as I took the medication, my nose became stuffy and I was coughing a little. That’s when I realized I really was getting sick but I was dead set on not going to the Doctor. By the time lunch rolled around, I was cuddled up in bed with at least five different blankets. I was still freezing yet I was starting to sweat.
I took some more meds and tried to go back to sleep. I was almost out when I felt those warm hands touch my forehead. My eyes slowly open to see Logan, again. “Caroline, you’re burning up, either you’re going to the Doctor or I’m bringing the Doctor to you.”
“I really, really don’t want to move…”
He sighs, gets out his phone, and leaves the room again. Within a few minutes, he comes back. He’s changed into some athletic shorts and a muscle shirt. “The General is calling the Doc on base. He’ll be over shortly.” He says and quickly gets under the covers next to me.
“And just what do you think you’re doing?” I ask, without making eye contact.
“Body heat will warm you up a lot faster than all these blankets, speaking of which, how many do you have?”
“I don’t know, five maybe? You do know you’re gonna burn up under here?”
“I think I’ll live.” He mutters as I cuddle closer to him.
“When can we go to the beach house?” I ask out of the blue.
“Where did that come from?”
“I don’t know. I’ve just been thinking about it.”
“Whenever we get you settled into your new house, I guess. What did Andrea say when you talked to her yesterday?”
“She said the title transfer was almost complete and I should be able to move in within three to five days.”
“That’s quick…” He mutters.
“Yeah…”
We laid there in silence for twenty minutes or so. I was quite comfortable with Logan now and lying with him wasn’t as awkward as it was the first time.
The doorbell interrupted my thoughts. “I’ll get it.” Logan mutters, quickly getting out of bed and leaving the room. I immediately miss his warmth but I knew he was eventually going to have to get up.
“Ah, so how are we feeling today, Ms. Woods?” The Doc asks coming into the room. He’s an older, stalky man, probably around fifty or so.
“Not very well,” I answer.
“The General informed me that you have been running a very high temperature and have had the chills, anything else?”
“Sneezing, coughing, runny nose…”
“Well, let me check your temperature. I think I have an idea of what you’ve got…” He sticks a thermometer in my mouth and within thirty seconds or so, it beeps, and he pulls it out.
“A hundred and one point seven… Wow…” He mutters.
“So, what’s she got?” Logan asks.
“Looks like a bad case of the flu, which was what I figured since it’s going around right now… I brought some antibiotics for you, they’ll also help with the fever. You’ll need to take one twice a day for ten days. You should start seeing an improvement by tomorrow.”
He gives me the meds and Logan escorts him out. I wasn’t happy about having the flu, but at least I would feel better tomorrow. “Told you it was more than a virus,” Logan says from the doorway.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
He laughs and walks over to me. “I’ll leave it up to you this time… Either I can go back to work or I can stay here and keep you warm until your fever breaks.”
I don’t hesitate. “I like the second option.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that.” He gets back in bed as I scoot closer to him.
“Maybe you should get sick more often.” He laughs.
“Ha-ha, very funny.”
“Just saying, you usually won’t let me anywhere near you.”
“Yeah, well, since we went on a date and what not, I guess I’m feeling generous.”
“Speaking of that, you agreed on going on another date… So would that mean we’re in a relationship?”
“I don’t know, does it?” I ask.
“I’m asking you, you already know I’m game.”
I stay quiet a moment, letting the tension rise. “Yes, Logan, I suppose we are.”