Page 69 of Anti Player

“By yourself?” he asks.

I give him an incredulous look. “I’ve kind of known him a while and he just spent the night taking care of my sick kid and got himself sick.”

Brett nods, clearly accepting my points.

“I’ll be back soon. Where’s the key for his apartment?”

“By the door on the hook to the left,” Brett says.

“Really safe place to keep it.” I chortle.

I take the key and drinks and head over to Kaleb’s. I unlock his door.

“Kaleb, it’s me,” I call out.

“In here,” he replies, his voice carrying from the bedroom.

I walk over to see him lying flat on his back. The covers pulled up to his chin. He’s shivering.

“Damn, you must have a fever.” He looks pale with black lines under his eyes. “Why didn’t you call me, Kaleb?”

“I can take care of myself,” he says gruffly.

“Lying in a bed shivering and dehydrating isn’t taking care,” I retort.

“I’ll be fine.” His teeth chatter.

“Where’s your acetaminophen?” I ask.

“In the bathroom in the cabinet on the wall above the sink,” he says.

I go to grab the bottle. I head back over to the bed, giving him two extra-strength pills. Then I pass him the electrolytes.

“This is gross, Maddie. Please bring me water,” he states.

“You need it to replenish,” I insist. He takes the pills and winces from the clear drink.

“Why didn’t you call me?” I ask.

“You know why,” he answers.

“I don’t. If anything, we’ve always been friends,” I say to him.

“I told you. I take care of myself,” he insists.

“I don’t accept that. While I’m around, you ask for help. I’m sure Brett has been helpful too.”

“Brett is helpful, but he was sick too,” Kaleb says.

“I’m here, Kaleb.”

“I’m fine on my own,” he says stubbornly.

“You’re stubborn as hell,” I chide.

He laughs but it sounds weak. “Funny coming from you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask.