The Fire Starter by Misty Wright, Summer Sauteur Read Free Book Online Page A

stand back up. I feel so dizzy and there was a lump in my throat.
    "No!" that was the first time he had raised his voice. At me, at anyone else. He didn't look as calm as I remembered him to be, and I was silenced. I held on to his arm, letting him carry me back to the bed without another word. While he adjusted a blanket over my head, I realized that I was shivering.
    His touch was warm against my cold skin, and I was grateful for the contact. "Stay here and rest. When you get better, I'll let you go. I promise."
    But I didn't want to. I didn't want him to let me go. I shook my head, already being sucked back into the world of sleep.
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    It's either he didn't move or he just resumed his position, since when I came to, I noticed he was just as I had left him. Still sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand stranded where I held it close to my face. He looked concerned. I could see him much clearer now, and his hair was indeed in disarray. His clothes weren't perfectly buttoned and there were creases everywhere. His eyes were pools of molten chocolate, worried and sad.
    I wanted to speak, but he beat me to it. "How are you feeling?"
    "Better," my voice croaked. I realized how parched I felt. "Where's Evan?" I asked, remembering that Evan was here earlier.
    "Already asleep," he whispered, handing me a glass of cold water with his other hand.
    I let go of his hand and tried to sit up with difficulty. The cold water felt good against my parched throat. I felt sore all over, as if I've been trampled on by a thousand elephants. Every muscle in my body ached. I tried to move, and an "Ow" escaped my throat.
    "What is it? Does it hurt?" Spencer asked, alarmed.
    "Try asking where it doesn't hurt," I replied wryly. He sighed, probably finding it difficult to take care of someone. "Can you help me up?"
    "Why? Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
    "No. I want to go to my room."
    "You can't. You're not strong enough."
    "If you could just help me--"
    "Why are you making this difficult, Kayleigh?" He asked, his voice threateningly louder. "Why are you making everything so hard!"
    "I'm sorry!" was all I can say, raising my voice to meet his anger. "I'm sorry I'm being difficult, okay! I'm sorry you're stuck here with me instead of being somewhere else because clearly you don't want to be here!" I didn't know where I got the strength to say mouthful after mouthful of words, but I couldn't bring myself to stop. "I'm sorry I'm causing you trouble! Don't worry, I won't bother you again anymore!"
    "Kayleigh--"
    "I said I'm sorry!"
    I wanted him to leave me alone, but he only did the opposite. He reached out to me and pulled my frail body against him, closing his arms around me. I'm too weak to complain, and his body heat felt good against the chill. But I didn't return his hug.
    I was thankful when the door opened and Reid came in. Spencer drew back and let me go. He stood up and faced Reid, turning his back to me. I felt something warm on my cheeks and I brushed away the tears angrily.
    "I brought some food. You two should eat," Reid said, his blue eyes darting back and forth from Spencer to me.
    "I'm not hungry," we both answered at the same time.
    Spencer excused himself and went out; probably to tell his girlfriend he wouldn't be meeting her tonight because he's inconvenienced with my presence. Reid positioned himself where Spencer sat earlier and smiled at me. "How are you feeling?"
    "I'm okay," I said stubbornly. "Can you help me up?" Reid seemed to debate with himself whether to help me or not. One quick assessment of my shivering and weak body told him I wouldn't be able to stand up for long. "Please?"
    He didn't help me up, but instead he carried me, still cocooned in the blanket, out of the room. I didn't have to tell him and he didn't have to ask. We reached my room in no time and he opened the door with the key he always carried with him. It took no effort at all to get me to my own bed and I switched Spencer's blanket with one of my