As Casey climbed out of the car, her stomach cramped and she bent over in pain. Jay jumped out and ran around to her side but by the time he reached her she was already crouching in the gutter, being sick again. He reached into the car and grabbed a container of wet wipes and a water bottle. Casey groaned when she had finished and sat back onto the curb. She snickered as he passed her the wet wipes, “Regular Macgyver.”
Jay didn't say anything but just looked at her in concern.
Casey wiped her face and then took a few sips of water. Her head swam and she leaned against Jay. He wrapped an arm around her and gently tucked her hair away from her face.
“Are your parents home?”
She shook her head and then regretted it when her vision swam. She frowned, “No, they've gone to visit my Aunt for the weekend.”
Casey shivered slightly and Jay rubbed her arm, “Can I help you inside?”
She nodded slowly, “Sure.”
She went to get up and then stumbled.
“Easy does it.” Jay put his arm around her waist and she put her arm over his shoulders. They slowly walked up to the house and stopped at the front door. Jay looked down at her expectedly, “Key?”
Casey shook her head, “Oh right. In my pocket.”
Jay gently patted her jean pockets, until he felt the shape of the key. He gave her a cryptic look, then gently slipped his hand into her pocket, removing the key. Jay unlocked the door and walked her inside. Casey stumbled, then sat on the floor, trying to kick off her shoes. When she was unsuccessful she lay back on the floor and looked up at Jay, “Ugh this is so embarrassing.”
He shrugged, “Don't worry about it.” He crouched next to her and gently undid her laces and took her shoes off. He pulled her into a sitting position. “ How are you feeling?”
“Better.” She looked around, “Can you maybe help me to my room?”
He nodded, “Sure, which way?”
He looked down the hall and Casey pointed up the stairs. Jay smirked, ‘Of course.”
He pulled her to her feet and helped her up the stairs. “You're getting more stable. I think it's coming out of your system”
Casey snorted, “Thank god.”
He walked her into the room she pointed to and steered her over to her bed. Casey instantly flopped down. Jay stepped back and looked around the room in interest. He walked over to her desk and glanced at the photos she had stuck to her mirror. Her desk was a mess of sketches and homework. Casey groaned as she attempted to sit up and take off her jacket. He quickly came over and helped again. She thanked him with a smile and flopped back into the bed.
Jay stepped back awkwardly, “Hey, so I'd better get going.”
Casey struggled to sit up again. When she got there she smiled at Jay, “Sorry I'm such a mess.”
He shook his head, “Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're coming right.” He passed her the drink bottle, “Just keep drinking water to flush it out of your system.”
Casey nodded and took a sip. She put the bottle on the table next to her bed and looked at him, “Thank you, for everything.”
He nodded and started to turn away. He stopped when Casey called out, “You're a really great guy Jay.”
He smiled, “Are you sure you're going to be okay?”
Casey looked at her feet, “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “I uh..”
They were interrupted when the doorbell rang loudly.
Jay walked over to her window and pulled the curtain to one side so he could look down at the front door. He sighed. Casey got up out of the bed and leaned to look out the window. Jay put his hand on her side to steady her. She squinted and looked at him in confusion. The door slammed and a shout came up the stairs, “I'm home bitches.”
Casey groaned and Jay clenched his jaw in tension. Seconds later Marisa walked confidently into the room. She smiled sweetly at Casey and glared at Jay.
“Oh my God Special K- What’s up? You bailed on the par-tay so I came to see what’s happening.”
She then whispered loudly to Casey, “What’s Mole man doing here?”
Casey flushed at her rudeness. She focused on Jay, “Thanks so much Jay. I don't know how to thank you.”
Jay nodded at the clear dismissal, “See you Case.”
She stared at him for a moment, then Marisa sat on the bed, “Come on, help me, I need to take these babies off.” She gestured to her high-heeled boots.
Casey ignored Marisa and walked Jay to the door of her room. She stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door shut to block out Marisa. Before she could stop herself she wrapped her arms tightly around Jay and placed her face against his chest. She spoke into his shirt “Thank you, I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.”
He hugged her back and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Casey nodded and blinked back the tears that were threatening to overflow. She stepped back and Jay reached out to take her hand. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Yeh.” She rubbed at her eyes.
A part of her wanted to ask him out, maybe under the guise of as a thankyou for helping her. She couldn’t get the words out though. What if she was reading the situation all wrong and he was just being nice.
“So, um, I’ll see you around.”
Jay stared at her, expressionless. Casey moved away awkwardly, “I just mean… I’m here for another week before I go on my gap year, so I might see you around. Maybe we could get a coffee or something?”
Jay stared at her so she quickly added, “As a thank you, you know, for all this?” She waved her hands and then regretted it when the room spun.
He shook his head, “Sorry, I’m heading out of town tomorrow for this work opportunity.”
Casey frowned, “Oh, maybe I’ll see you get back then?”
He stared at her again, “I’m going to be gone for a while.”
Casey nodded, thinking he was giving her the brush off. “Say no more. Cool, well thank you Jay. You really saved me tonight.”
He nodded, gave her a wave and went down the stairs. Casey went back into her room. Marisa was snoring, passed out on her bed. Casey covered her with a blanket and then went into the guest room with her water bottle. Her mind was slowly clearing. Had she just asked Jay Mathews out? Oh my god, she had! And he had just turned her down.
YOU ARE READING
The Reunion
ChickLitAfter a terrible breakup, Casey is getting through each day, one at a time. Organising the company's end of year retreat should be a piece of cake, but throw in an unexpected reunion with her long lost high school crush and a snowstorm that arrives...
