“It was uncomfortable in the rocking chair, so I moved to the bed.” She shrugged and tried to laugh. “It was no big deal. Have you had breakfast?”
“Yep.”
“Are you ready for school?”
“Yep.”
Raven fidgeted as though thinking hard of some other reason Fox would need to leave. Aidan finally decided to take pity on her. Besides, he needed to use the bathroom. And some more pain pills wouldn’t be out of the question. His leg throbbed to the beat of his heart.
“Guys, I need to use the facilities, if you don’t mind.”
Fox and Raven looked at him and then began moving at once. Fox handed Aidan the crutches and Raven made sure nothing was in the pathway to the bathroom and that the door was fully open.
“Do you need any help?” Fox asked, looking him over and frowning.
Man, he really must look bad. “No, I got it. Thanks.” He swung his leg over the side and reached for the crutches. When he stood, the room tipped.
“Mom!” Fox hollered. She must have been watching because she was there to help catch him as he fell.
“Whoa,” he said. His head pounded and the room spun. How much had he drunk last night? This didn’t feel like a normal hangover. He’d only been drunk a few times, not counting last night.
“You’re burning up.” Raven gave him an accusing look. “Back on the bed.” She tried to push him, but with Fox on his other side, Aidan had his balance.
“Not before I go to the bathroom.”
“Why you stubborn son of a—” She stopped her tirade and glanced at Fox.
“Don’t worry, Fox. She’s called me worse.” He thought that was really funny and began to laugh, which made his head hurt worse.
“Let’s get you to the bathroom and then right back into bed,” Raven said.
“Said like that, how am I to resist?” he said suggestively.
Raven blushed and looked away. Hmm. What did that mean? Could she still feel something for him besides hate? They said there was a fine line between love and hate. But whoever had said that, probably didn’t hate the way Raven did.
They helped him to the bathroom. Raven stood there with him next to the toilet. He raised a brow at her. “I can’t pee with you watching.”
“I don’t want you falling to the floor.”
“Just think, if I do, I might hit my head hard enough that I’d no longer be your problem.”
She pursed her lips. “Fine. Come on, Fox. Let’s give him some privacy.”
Fox looked at Aidan and then his mother. “No.” He shook his head. “I’ll stay with him.”
“I can do this on my own.” In fact, he’d be doing it in his boxers if they didn’t get out of here.
“Your life is mine, remember?” Fox continued. “I saved you. I won’t let you die now over something stupid.”
How did you argue with a kid who spoke with such wisdom? “Fine.” He looked at Raven. Seriously, she needed to leave.
“All right,” she muttered and left the room, closing the door with a snap behind her.
Fox shrugged. “Women.”
Aidan cracked a laugh. “Yeah, women.”
He emptied his bladder, flushed, and then moved to the sink to wash up. He caught his reflection in the mirror. Wow, he did look bad. His skin was red and blotchy and had a yellowish cast. His eyes were sunken with dark bags under them.
“See, I told you, you looked bad,” Fox said. “We’d better get you back to bed, before you pass out.”
“Good idea. Let me brush my teeth first.”
“What’s taking you guys so long?” Raven’s muffled voice came through the door.
“Just a second, Mom.”
Aidan grabbed for the toothbrush he’d used last night. And the room swam. He made a reach for the vanity counter.
Fox was there at his elbow, holding him steady. “I think you’d better brush you teeth sitting down.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” What was wrong with him? He sat on the turned-down toilet seat, the crutches falling to the floor. His head became too heavy to hold, and he had to rest it in his hands. There was a buzzing in his ears.
Suddenly, Raven was there, peering into his eyes, feeling his forehead with her soothing cool hand, and cussing like a broke prospector. “Fox, go and get Eva. Hurry.”
Fox scurried from the room.
“Back to bed for you.” Raven helped him to his feet. “Lean on me.” She held him up and cursed again when he fell against her.
He yelped in pain as he came down on his leg. She took his weight and somehow had the crutches under his arms.
“I can’t do this without your help, Aidan. Come on, I’ll steady you, but you’re going to have to do most of the work.”