Rescue Me (Justin Bieber Love Story)

Chapter 3

• Erin •

I shifted and stretched languidly. God, I was comfortable. My bed had never felt this good before now. I inhaled deeply and frowned. My bed never smelled this good before, either. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking as they focused. I was confused as I took in my surroundings.

This was not my bed. This was not my bedroom.

I started to sit up, but a rush of dizziness hit me, and I gasped softly as I fell back to the pillow.

"Shh, Erin, it's okay. You're okay, sweetheart."

My gaze flew to the source of the warm, tender voice, my eyes widening as I realized it was Justin. He was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his hand laid gently on my arm. His hazel eyes were soft as he gazed at me. "You're safe."

"Where am I?" I whispered, my voice rough.

Justin picked up a glass and slipped his arm under my shoulders, lifting my head. "Drink."

I slipped the cool liquid gratefully, the water tasting like heaven.

"Not too much yet. You can have more in a minute." He smiled at me as he laid me back on the fluffy pillow. I looked down, noticing the needle in my hand and the fact I was wearing a shirt that didn't belong to me. I started to panic. "Justin?"

"You're safe," he repeated. "I brought you home with me. My home."

"Why?"

He frowned and leaned closer, brushing the hair off my forehead. "Erin, you had an infection. I found you sitting, almost passed out on a bench at the bus stop."

I tried desperately to recall what had happened. "I remember leaving the restaurant." My brow furrowed as I tried to think. "I was going to walk home because I had the flu."

He picked up my hand. "It wasn't the flu. Your hand was infected-badly. Your fever was off the charts. I took you to the hospital. I'm not surprised you can't remember."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I couldn't take you home and leave you alone. I thought if you were here, at least I knew where everything was, so I could care for you better."

I fingered the soft material of the flannel shirt I was wearing. Justin smiled at me. "Your fever was so high you were soaked, Erin. I had to change your shirt a couple of times until it broke. That's my shirt." He winked at me. "You look cute in it." Then his voice became serious again. "I only changed your shirt. I left your leggings on."

"I believe you."

"Good. I wanted to make sure you were okay." He ran his hand through his hair. "I was so worried."

"I can't believe you did that. You don't even know me."

He tilted his head. "I know you well enough to know you needed someone to look after you."

"Oh," I breathed out.

He lifted me again and let me drink more. "And, I know you make awesome cookies." He grinned as he laid me back down.

"You got them?"

"I did, thank you. I didn't share, by the way."

I had to smile at his gleeful remark.

"How long have I been here?"

"Since early last night." He glanced over at the clock. "I came to thank you for the cookies and Rose said you were ill, so I went to find you. It's almost five a.m. now."

"Have you been up all night watching me?"

He shrugged. "I dozed."

"Justin...I don't know what to say. No one has ever done anything like that for me."