The Two of Us (Love in Isolation 1)

“Oh really? I heard women really like a man with a raspy voice,” he tells me. “I’ve just been practicing to impress you.”

I chuckle and shake my head, appreciating the way he’s trying to lift my spirits. “I’m worried that if you recover and I get it again, then you could be re-infected. I was reading yesterday about someone who tested positive twice. We’ll both just keep passing it to each other, and eventually one of us will get it bad enough to be hospitalized,” I say. I know I’m being dramatic, but it’s a possibility.

“When I’m better, we’ll wipe down every wall, ceiling, and floor, not leaving a spot untouched. As long as we do our due diligence, we’ll be okay. I just have to survive the next week,” he breathlessly says.

“My cooking isn’t the best, so you’re probably starving,” I mock, wanting to get a rise out of him. It works because he laughs. “Bruno wouldn’t even eat my hamburger.” I pout.

“To be fair, he’s a vegetarian,” he states, and I burst out laughing.

“You’re such a liar.” I shake my head. “It was burnt. He probably thought it was mud.”

“I would’ve eaten it,” he says. “I can’t taste for shit anyway.”

Chuckling, I smile and love that we can still communicate like this. If this is as close as we can be, I’ll take it. And when he’s better, I’ll make it up to him in all the right ways. I miss his touch, his kisses, and the way he looks at me as though I’m his everything. Just the thought of losing him scares me beyond belief.

Chapter Twenty-Four

ELIJAH

DAY 35

It’s been twelve grueling days of feeling like shit, but when I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel like there was a pillow over my face. Though my back aches from coughing so much, I think the hard part is over, as long as I don’t relapse or get pneumonia. I roll over in bed and reach for the thermometer. I place it under my tongue and wait, and I’m shocked to see my fever has finally broke. Thank fuck.

There were a few days when I was worried. My inhaler barely provided any relief, and I almost asked Cameron to rush me to the hospital, but I kept holding on, hoping my body would fight it. When I was at my worst, I told my mother I was sick too. She nearly had a heart attack, but I couldn’t keep it a secret just in case something terrible happened.

Mom called Ava, who then insisted on coming to the cabin, but I told her it was best if she didn’t and that I’d check in as much as I could. I climb out of bed and go to the window that overlooks a meadow. Fog bellows over the dense grass, and in the distance, I can see the mountains. Instead of going back to sleep, I take a hot shower. Though my skin is sensitive to the touch, the water relaxes me and the steam helps my breathing. Once I’m done, I realize I gave Cami all my clothes.

I forgot I asked her if she could do my laundry yesterday. I only packed one suitcase because I didn’t know how long I’d be here. At this rate, I should’ve taken everything I owned, considering I probably won’t be returning home for at least another month. Probably longer, though. Not that I’m complaining because that means more uninterrupted time with Cami.

For the first time in ten days, I leave my bedroom and walk down the hallway with a towel wrapped around my waist. I carefully take the stairs, and when I get to the bottom step, Bruno comes rushing toward me.

“Hey, boy.” I smile wide as he tries to jump on me, and I tell him to sit, then pet his head. It’s barely past six in the morning, so everything is quiet.

When I walk into the washroom, my clothes are in the dryer. A grin touches my lips because she actually figured it out, not that I completely doubted her. Okay, maybe just a little. I put all of my items into a spare basket and put on a pair of joggers and my favorite Yankees T-shirt. Just as I turn around, I nearly run into Cami.

“Oh my God!” she yelps, covering her mouth with her hands. “I thought you were a burglar.”

I chuckle. “Who broke in to steal my underwear?”

“I came downstairs to make some coffee so I could start doing schoolwork, and I heard noises.”

I look down at her hand and notice she’s tightly grasping a skillet.

“And what’s that for?” I point at it and grin.

“To kill you!” She swings it in the air, putting all of her weight into it. Bruno runs to her and thinks it’s time to play.