Dropping Hints

Chapter 21 of Banished for Love

The next day, I wake up and ready myself for school. When I head down for breakfast, no one is in the kitchen and the house is silent. I can assume Cheyenne left for work early, but Jeremy wouldn’t have left me stranded at the house. I run back upstairs and knock lightly at his door.

 

“Come in,” comes his meek response. I poke my head around the door and glance over at him, still curled up in his sheets. I step in and sit down beside him on the bed. Jeremy’s face is paler than normal and a light sheen of sweat covers his forehead though he is violently shivering.

 

“Oh, you poor thing,” I say, wiping the hair plastered to his face away. He coughs weakly and shuts his eyes in exhaustion. “Wait here,” I say. He peels one eye open with a look that says “where do you expect me to go?” I rush into my room and gather my comforter into my arms, stopping to grab some Tylenol and a glass of water from the bathroom. I walk back to Jeremy and tuck the blanket around him, setting the water and pill bottle on his bedside table.

 

“Thank you,” he smiles weakly.

 

“Will you be alright on your own or should I call both of us in sick?” I ask, sitting back down beside him. I lay my hand on his forehead, knowing my hands are always cold as ice.

 

“No, you need to go to school,” he whispers, relaxing against my hand. His forehead is smoldering.

 

“Alright, take one of these, it'll help with the fever. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be back right after school,” I say, kissing his cheek.

 

“Don’t,” he protests. “I’ll get you sick.”

 

I laugh. “Angels don’t get sick, silly.”

 

“Well in that case,” he smiles weakly and leans forward to meet my lips.

 

I giggle. “Get some sleep.” I stand and head for the door. “Feel better,” I murmur before shutting it. I head to my room and silently thank my lucky stars Devin had given me his number the day before. I dial it and press the phone to my ear.

 

“Sup?” Devin answers on the first ring.

 

“Hey Dev, it’s Kelsey,” I murmur, trying to keep Jeremy from hearing.

 

“Ah, Kelsey, and what can I do for you this fine morning?” his tone shifts into a flirtatious one.

 

“Would it be too much to ask for a ride to and from school today? My ride is sick and I can’t drive his stick shift,” I ask.

 

“Be there in five,” he says before cutting the call.

 

Five minutes later on the dot, Devin pulls up in front of the house. I step into the car and smile at him.

 

“Thanks for the ride,” I say gratefully.

 

“Anytime,” he replies with his trademark lopsided grin.

 

“May I?” I gesture to the silenced radio as he takes off toward school.

 

“Have at it,” he responds. I flip through the stations.

 

Highway to Hell by AC/DC blasts through the first one. The next plays Devil inside by INXS. I skim by a country station playing Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band. I settle on Don’t Trust Me by 3OH!3.

 

I find it a little odd that every song is related to the devil or trust issues. I do notice Devin's knuckles have turned white gripping the steering wheel, but I brush it off, figuring it is just my imagination getting the best of me.

 

***

 

Janie’s Point of View

 

Libby and I watch as Kelsey calls Devin that morning for a ride. She gets into his car five minutes later and they speed off toward school.

 

“Alright, so Kelsey loves music. Let’s drop some musical hints,” Libby says, dipping her hand into the pool.

 

“May I?” Kelsey inquires down below. Libby tinkers with the radio, giving her hints by way of Devil related songs. Kelsey flips through each station, settling on Libby’s last-ditch song effort.

 

“Gah!” Libby withdraws her hand in frustration, shaking off moisture. “That girl is so thick headed!”

 

“This is Kelsey we’re talking about, are you surprised?” I ask, giving her a look that says “come on now”.

 

We crack up laughing, instantly missing our banished best friend.