Page 96 of Hard to Get

Are you home?

Jayden

Yeah Cammy and LG brought me, couldn’t drive.

Stella

I’ll come over.

It takes a few seconds for his response.

Jayden

No that’s okay. I’m just gonna go to sleep.

I suck on my bottom lip. I feel an urgent need to make sure he’s okay.

Stella

Are you in bed?

Jayden

On the couch. Can’t do the stairs.

Stella

I’m coming over.

Jayden

Stella no

I ignore him and throw back my duvet. In a few minutes, I’m dressed in sweats. I trot downstairs, followed closely by Betty.

I look at her.

“Okay, fine, you can come, too.”

We hurry down Richards Street to Jayden’s condo. He buzzes me in and I carry Betty in the elevator to the twenty-second floor, then hustle down the corridor.

He’s already at the door, opening it for us.

There’s a moment of commotion as the dogs come unglued with excitement.

“You nut,” he says. “I’m fine.”

“You can’t get upstairs!”

I follow him as he limps back to the couch, then hover over him. “What do you need?” I eye his clothing. He’s still wearing the clothes he must have worn to the game. “Pajamas?”

He sighs and shoves a hand into his hair. “Okay. Sure.”

“What else?”

“Some pillows? I’m supposed to keep my foot elevated.”

“Right.” I take in the compression bandage on his foot. There’s an ice pack on the table but when I reach for it, it’s warm. “You need more ice.”