Stealing for Keeps (Frost Lake High Book 1)
Stealing for Keeps: Chapter 31

Claire crumples into me as I step forward. “Something’s wrong. I think she’s sick or something.”

“No kidding.” Vaughn’s jaw hardens. “Let’s get her back inside.”

We flank her on either side and walk Claire back into the house. The guys on the team are all preparing to leave, as are the rest of the party. They’re giving me and Vaughn worried looks. My eye throbs where he punched me.

Rowan and Lacey move toward us.

“What’s going on?” Rowan asks.

“I don’t feel so well,” Claire says. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

She breaks free from us and rushes toward the downstairs bathroom.

“I’ve got her,” Lacey says, hurrying behind her.

“I was going to head out, but do you need me to stay?” Rowan asks.

“No, I’ll make sure she gets home.” She went from seemingly fine to really sick fast. I’m kind of freaked out.

I must look as worried as I feel, because Rowan places a hand on my shoulder. His gaze bounces between me and Vaughn. “She’ll be okay, but are you two going to be okay?”

“I’m gonna go check on Claire.” Vaughn’s response is confirmation enough.

“He’s pissed,” I say.

“Yeah, I got that.”

“Fuck.” I run a hand over my head. How did tonight get so messed up? “I should go check on her too.”

“Yeah, do what you gotta do.”

“Thanks for coming tonight, man,” I say as I walk backward away from the front door.

Rowan nods. “Any time. Call me if you need anything.”

The bathroom door is open, and Claire is sitting on the ledge of the bathtub while Lacey squats down in front of her and Vaughn hovers nearby.

“Are you all right?” I ask, not moving into the small space even though I want to.

“I think I have the flu. Ruby had it earlier this week. I felt fine earlier. It just hit me.”

“I’ll take you home,” Vaughn says.

Fuck that. “I can take her.”

We glare at each other.

“I’m going to take her,” Lacey says, forcing herself between us and shooting each of us a glare.

“I’m coming with you,” I say. “I can help or not, but I’m not leaving her.”

“Me either.” Vaughn stands tall and crosses his arms over his chest.

Lacey stands and jabs a pointy finger at Vaughn and then me. “This is not the time to act like cavemen. You’re not going anywhere with us if you can’t put your shit aside for the rest of the night. Got it?”

“Yes,” I say quickly.

Lacey arches a brow at Vaughn.

“Yes.” His tone is dry and bitter.

I give my mom a brief explanation. She’s pissed about the fighting, but I promise to come right back home after I make sure Claire gets home.

Lacey drives, and Vaughn and I pile into the back seat with Claire between us.

“I feel like I’m driving my children around in a minivan.” She adjusts the rearview mirror. “And I am not afraid to stop this vehicle, so don’t test me.”

Claire rests her head against my shoulder. She’s burning up but has her arms wrapped around her middle like she’s cold, and her teeth chatter.

“We’re almost there,” I promise her.

It’s after midnight by the time Lacey pulls into the driveway. The lights inside aren’t on, but Claire says her mom and sister are home. The three of us manage to get Claire inside and in her room without waking anyone.

“Claire Bear.” Lacey sits on the edge of the bed next to her best friend. “What do you need?”

“Sleep.”

“Do you want to change first?”

In reply, Claire pulls one edge of the comforter around her, wrapping herself up like a burrito.

“Okay then.” Lacey stands and eyes the hovering boys in front of her. “Everybody out.”

“I’m gonna stay,” I tell her. “Just for a little bit to make sure she doesn’t get sick again.”

“And then what? Hold her hair back?” Lacey asks.

“If she wants.”

“I’m not leaving either. You know how Claire is when she gets the flu, Lace,” Vaughn says. “She’s got a long night in front of her.”

“You’re right,” she says, still looking angry at us and sad for her friend. “My dad is out of town, so I have to go home and let the dog out, but I can come back.”

“You don’t need to. I can handle it,” Vaughn says. He kicks off his shoes and gets into the bed next to Claire. I want to push him off onto the floor, but then Claire moves closer to him, and I can tell his presence comforts her.

Lacey looks to me like she’s making sure this isn’t going to be a problem.

“Whatever she needs,” I say.

She hesitates, and I can tell she doesn’t really want to leave us with her best friend, but eventually Lacey does go.

Not long after, Claire gets sick again. For the next hour, she’s up and down. I feel awful for her. She’s emptied her stomach, and tears stream down her face as she dry heaves.

“Maybe we should wake up your mom,” I say, smoothing her hair back.

“No,” Claire and Vaughn say at the same time.

Vaughn lowers his voice. “She’ll be pissed we’re here, and she’s shit at comforting Claire when she isn’t feeling well.”

So basically, she sucks like normal. I think about what my mom does when I’m sick and have to swallow down my guilt and disappointment that Claire doesn’t have that.

“I want Tank Tank,” Claire says, eyes closed as she gets back into bed. We managed to get her shoes off and all the covers pulled down so she’s a little more comfortable.

“What’s a Tank Tank? Like a tank top? A shirt?”

“No,” Vaughn says in a tone that suggests I’m an idiot. He motions with his head toward the closet. “Look on the top shelf. There’s a purple box. Grab that.”

I’m too anxious to get whatever she needs to question him. I replace the purple box and bring it out of the closet. Setting it on the bed, I pull the lid free. At first, I’m not sure exactly what I’m seeing, and then it comes through with a clarity that’s yet another gut punch to the night. Letters, dried flowers, photos…her and Vaughn at a party, her and Vaughn dressed up for some sort of event, and so many more. Not all of them include him but enough that I get this is some sort of memento box.

“It’s a little pink rhinoceros,” Vaughn says. “Her dad gave it to her when she was little.”

It doesn’t take a lot of searching to replace it. It looks old and like it’s been well-loved. I hand it over, and Claire clutches it to her chest.

A small, petty part of me is glad it’s not something Vaughn gave her, but the history between them is still fresh in my mind.

She falls asleep quickly. Vaughn and I sit on the floor on either side of the room, not speaking or looking at each other.

I can feel my eye swelling, and it’s tender to the touch.

“I can’t believe you punched me,” I say. I’m going to have a hell of a black eye tomorrow.

“I can’t believe you’ve been hooking up with Claire behind my back,” he throws back. “You know how I feel about her. I trusted you. I welcomed you onto the team and helped you. I thought you were my friend.”

“I am your friend,” I bark back in a hushed voice. “You don’t own Claire or my feelings. I tried not to fall for her, but I did. I’m sorry. I should have told you, but it just happened.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet.” He makes a deep, throaty sound of disbelief. Another quiet moment passes with our anger hanging between us before he asks, “How long?”

The question catches me off guard.

“How long have you been hooking up with her?” he repeats.

“Awhile,” I admit. “But—”

“No, forget it.” His icy, blue eyes cut through me. “I don’t have anything else to say to you. We’re done.”