I sit at the bar alone, when I start to feel a scratch in my throat and my head starts to feel a little fuzzy.
Looking around, I see that they’re about to close up so I go over to a booth and lean back, seeing Jess still dancing long after the floor is empty and the music has been turned down.
My eyes start to flutter closed as I drift down to a half lying, half sitting position. Just five minutes, I’ll close my eyes for five minutes and then I’ll go home. I really hope I’m not getting sick because I’m the worst sick person, ever.
His eyes draw me to him, telling me to come closer as he grins and runs his hands down the stubble on his face. I’m dreaming about him, again. It’s happened almost every night since last week at the lake.
I’ve managed to convince myself that it’s because he didn’t come and say goodbye to me, at least, that’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
All I seemed to have done over the last week is replay that day, over and over again in my mind, and each time I would remember something different or something that he had done.
My favorite is remembering the way I woke up next to him; I can’t stop thinking about my head laid on his chest, the feel of his arms around me and the pads of his fingers stroking the bottom of my back.
Just thinking about it now makes me shiver.
I’ve never been touched in that way before, so sure and gentle but firm at the same time. Nobody has had this reaction out of me and if I’m honest, I never thought I’d feel like this, not after...
“Ahh... that feels nice,” I murmur when a cold hands lands on my forehead.
“Ava?” I frown at Jackson’s voice.
Wait... he isn’t meant to be in my dream. Where did Corey go?
“Jackson?” I ask, cracking open an eye. “I think I’m sick.” I pout. “I need ice cream, lots and lots of ice cream.”
I bring my hand to my mouth as I cough, the impact making my head pound. Yep, definitely getting sick.
“Ah shit.” He chuckles. “You’re so cute when you’re sick.”
I shake my head, the motion making me feel even worse, and try to lift it but it feels too heavy. “Ugh, my whole body hurts.”
“I think you’re getting the flu,” Jamie says to me, a soft smile on her face.
“Yeah,” I reply, moving onto my side and pushing up slowly into a sitting position. “I need to go home.”
“I’ll take you,” a deep voice rumbles out of nowhere.
I close my eyes, relishing in that voice.
I’m definitely sick because there’s no way he’s here right now. I think I need to add hallucinations to my list of symptoms.
I try to open my eyes but quickly shut them to shield them from the bright lights. “I don’t feel too good,” I grumble.
I stand, using the back of the booth to help me, the room spinning when I get to my feet.
“Birdie?” This isn’t real. I really have to stop thinking about him all the time, I’m becoming obsessed. “Ava...”
“Can you guys hear that? I swear I’m imagining things.”
A round of chuckles has me grabbing my head, the thumping getting worse. “Guys... please stop,” I groan.
“Ava, it’s me, Corey.”
“Corey?” I gasp, my eyes popping open. “What... how... ugh.” I lean against the booth as my body starts to give out on me.
“Come on, let’s get you home.”
I nod in reply, the movement taking all the energy that I have.