Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) (27 page)

She shrugged. Even the effort it took to lift her shoulders was too much. Her head swam, her throat was raw and her nose was running like a faucet. “I figured I’d put my head down on a table in the atrium and just moan for a while.”

Jeremy chuckled. “Let me take you to lunch.”

Embry looked down at herself in her oversized sweatshirt, yoga pants and knit boots. “Have you seen me?”

He scrunched up his nose, nodding. “Yeah, you’re a hot mess.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Operative word being hot,” he added hastily with a wink. “But seriously, I want to talk, Bree. I have you in a vulnerable position and I plan to take full advantage of it. I’m bribing you with chicken soup.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine.” He’d caught her on a day when she couldn’t say no, she just didn’t have the energy to argue. And Chicken soup sounded amazing, she had to admit.

“Really?”

She nodded.

“Okay, Kline’s it is. I’ll drive.”

Embry typed out a quick text to Luke on the ride over.

Soooo sick. Grabbing lunch now, then heading straight home after class to pass out. Stay far, far away or I might infect you.

He responded immediately.

I’m sorry, baby :( Want company for lunch?

She felt bad, knowing how much of an issue Luke had with Jeremy. But she also knew he respected her friendship and her decisions, and he’d support her.

Jer is taking me to lunch. He wants to talk. I’m only in it for the chicken soup.

Milk him for all he’s worth, baby ;) You sure you’re okay?

She smiled down at her phone. He was amazing.

I’m okay, promise. Missing you xx.

Me too. I’ll see you when you’ve removed yourself from quarantine.

Jeremy pulled up to the small deli outside of campus, and they headed inside, finding a comfy booth in the corner. Embry flopped onto the soft leather, leaning laying her against the back of the booth while Jeremy went up to the counter order.

“Chicken soup coming right up.” He smiled as he took a seat across from her.

“Thank you,” she groaned.

“Thanks for coming with me.” He smiled nervously. “Although I’m not sure how to take it that you had to be on the edge of death to agree to talk to me.”

Embry shrugged. “I don’t have the energy to argue. And I kind of miss you, even though you’re a complete dickhead.”

Jeremy nodded, smiling ruefully. “I kind of am.”

Their number was called, and Jeremy came back a few minutes later with a tray full of food, including a steaming hot bowl of soup for Embry.

“Does Luke know you’re with me?” Jeremy asked carefully around a large bite of his sandwich.

“Yes.”

“Oh,” he hesitated. “I figured he’d give you a hard time about it.”

“He’s not your biggest fan at the moment,” she admitted, “but he respects our friendship and my decisions. He’s not a bad guy, Jeremy.”

“I know. I know he’s not. I don’t have to like him, though, do I?” His face crinkled in dislike.

Embry smiled. “It’d be easier if you did.”

“Look, Bree…” A million emotions played across his face. She saw the pain, the subdued anger, but also remorse.

She cupped her hands around her soup bowl, reveling in the warmth of the ceramic dish and giving him time to gather his thoughts.

He dropped his head, picking at the edge of his sandwich wrapper. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

It was a start.

He looked up and swallowed hard, then repeated himself. “I’m sorry. I was an asshole. I should never have said or done the things I did.” He grimaced. “And I
never
should’ve made it your fault.”

Embry nodded gratefully.

“I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew you were in love with him and nothing I said was going to change that. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

“It’s okay, Jer…”

“No,” he said, his eyebrows drawing together. “It’s not. Our friendship means too much.” Pain sliced across his face before he could hide it. “I’ll get over the… other stuff.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly. Maybe it was the chicken soup talking, but she was happy. She hadn’t planned to forgive him so easily, but she truly believed that he meant what he said, that his apology was sincere. She knew things might not be normal between them after he’d admitted his feelings, but at least now there was hope of having her friend back.

His face split into a wide grin. “Thank you for listening and giving me a chance.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I was bribed with chicken soup and brought here under duress, so I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

Jeremy laughed good-naturedly.

Embry took a breath, trying to choose her words carefully. She wanted her friend back, but she was concerned how a friendship would affect him. “Jeremy, is this” —she motioned between them both— “going to hurt you? Just… being friends?”

He shook his head. “Not having you in my life hurt more, Blondie.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Really?”

“Yes, I missed your smart mouth,” he teased, but she could tell he was serious. “Now eat your soup.”

Embry took a bite. “Mmm,” she hummed, the soup soothing her throat and warming her from the inside out.

Jeremy’s eyes heated and filled with longing, clinging to hers momentarily before shifting and looking away. This was new territory for the both of them. His feelings were out there in the open, floating around them, hanging over their heads. But she was determined to make it work. His friendship was too important.

They continued to chat, slowly falling back into the easy friendship Embry had missed so much. Then they began plotting out their research and strategy for the mock client interviews and negotiations they’d have to conduct in class next week.

Whey they were finished, Jeremy stacked their dishes on the tray and walked it back up to the front. Embry stood from the booth and nearly fell right back down as someone rushed down the aisle, bumping into her and sending her flying.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” a southern, female voice rang out.

Embry got her bearings and stood face to face with the blonde from the courthouse bathroom. “Oh, um… no problem.”

“Hi!” She smiled with recognition. “You were just in the courthouse last week, weren’t you?”

Embry nodded. “Yep, that’s me.”

“Do you come around here a lot? I’m new in town, trying out some new places.”

She seemed genuine enough, although Embry still wondered about the pointed glare she’d given her at the courthouse. “Yeah, there are a few great places for lunch around here,” Embry answered. “By the way,” she waved, “I’m Embry.”

“Hi.” The girl smiled. “I’m—” She glanced down at her phone in her hand. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. Nice seeing you.” She ran off, never actually lifting her phone to her ear.

“You too,” Embry said to her back as she rushed away.
Strange.

Embry stumbled into her apartment, head pounding and throat on fire. Dropping her bags near the door, she shuffled into the kitchen, downed Advil and NyQuil, and fell into bed.

She woke slowly the next morning and cracked her eyes gingerly, testing them against the sunlight. She swallowed thickly and let out a whimper. Her throat was screaming in pain and she wondered idly if she’d have to see the doctor. Squeezing her eyes shut, she hugged her pillow, trying to force herself back to sleep when a heavy arm came down around her waist. A large hand splayed across her stomach and pulled her against a solid chest.

“Luke?” she whispered, her voice nothing more than a rasp.

“Mmmm,” he groaned into her neck, hugging her tighter. “How are you feeling? You sound like shit.”

“I feel like I sound.” She turned in his arms and snuggled into his chest. “When did you get here?”

“I came by to check on you when you didn’t answer your phone. I found you passed out, and I didn’t want you to be alone.”

“Thank you.” She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his arms around her when— “Shit!” she groaned, shooting up in bed. “What time is it? I have class. You have to teach!” Having sat up too fast, her vision suddenly tilted, and her head pulsed. “Owwww.”

Luke rolled onto his back, his hands behind his head, biceps bulging and abs rippling as he smirked at her. “Lay down, baby.”

“What?” she croaked.

“Lay. Down.”

“But—”

He shot her a stern look. “I cancelled my class today, took the day off, and I’m not letting you out of this bed. You need to rest.”

“You took the day off?” Embry asked quietly, easing herself down beside him.

He nodded as she made herself comfortable in the crook of his arm. “Yes, and I’ll take tomorrow, too, if I need to.”

“Really?” If she didn’t already know he existed, she wouldn’t believe he was real. He was perfect.

“Really.”

“What’re we gonna do all day?” She innocently peered up at him.

He narrowed his eyes. “
We’re
not doing anything.
You
are staying in bed and letting me take care of you.” Wrapping his arms around her, he rolled her onto his chest and brushed his lips across her forehead. “Can you eat? Or just tea for now?”

“Tea, please.”

He slid out from beneath her and left for the kitchen her eyes devouring him as he left, the firm globes of his ass peeking out from the tops of his sleep pants. Even in her sickly state, she wouldn’t get enough of him.

Embry grabbed her pillows, fluffing them up and setting them against the headboard so she could sit up. Every time she swallowed it was like razor blades were slicing through her throat. She needed tea and DayQuil and cough drops and probably more sleep.

“Luke,” she tried to call, but her voice would go no higher than a cracked whisper. “Luuuuke.”

Nothing.

She dragged herself from bed and made her way into the kitchen. “Luke.”

He turned around, his eyes widening as he pointed a stern finger toward the bedroom. “Back in bed.”

“But I need—”

“Whatever you need, I’ll get it,” he said, exasperated already. “You are the worst patient ever.”

Embry smirked a little. “DayQuil and cough drops, please,” she said, motioning to the pantry.

“Got it. Bed. Now.”

“Bossy,” she muttered as she snuck into the bathroom. She wanted to brush her teeth before climbing back into bed.

Back against her pile of pillows, Luke met her with a cup of hot tea and all of the other necessities for getting over a bad cold.

“I think I might need a bell,” Embry commented, straight-faced.

“A bell?” He blinked at her.

“Yeah, you know, so I can call you when I need you?”

“You want a bell.” His eyebrows drew together in a wary expression.

Embry nodded, suppressing a giggle. His face was priceless.

Luke shook his head disbelievingly. “You have a pretty small apartment, babe. I’m pretty sure if you need something you can find me.”

“But you won’t let me out of bed,” she whined.

He rolled his eyes then and piled his pillows against the headboard so he could sit beside her.

She gave him a light shove against his chest. “You shouldn’t be here anyway. I’ll get you sick.”

Luke shrugged. “I’m not worried.”

“Stubborn,” she huffed under her breath.

They were lying in bed, facing each other, with the sheets pulled up over their heads, creating a tent. It was like their own private world as they talked about anything and everything.

“There’s so much stress this semester,” Embry said. “It’s so much harder than last. I feel like I’m drowning, Luke, I just can’t keep my head above water.”

He twined his fingers with hers, running his thumb absentmindedly over her palm. “You’re pushing yourself too hard, and you’re suffering for it.”

She shook her head. “How can I not? Between classes and Coleman and now oral arguments right after spring break.”

He brushed a stray hair away from her face, then pressed his lips gently to hers. Even as sick as she was, she came alive at his touch, wanting so much more from him than just a chaste kiss, but she tore her lips away. “You’re going to get sick,” she reminded him for the hundredth time. Every time she reminded him, he didn’t care.