Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
He puts a hand on my shoulder and holds me to the bed. “Give it up. You’re going to lie here and rest.” He holds up his phone. “It says here that the EpiPen can make you tired, jittery, dizzy, nauseous and—”
I cut him off. “I know. I’m just tired. That’s all.”
He stands up and leans over me. He reaches for my feet and takes off my shoes. Then he peels off my socks. He reaches for my jeans and undoes them. I’m no help at all as he peels them down my hips and legs. Next, he raises my T-shirt up, undoes my bra, and then pulls the shirt back down.
Exhausted, I lie back down and yawn. He’s looking at me with worry on his face. “Can I take you to the doctor just to get you checked out?”
I shake my head. “I promise you, the last time this happened, I slept for three hours. I just need to rest.”
He nods his head. “Roll over.”
I eye him curiously. “Why?”
“Because you like to sleep on your stomach.”
Before I can ask him how he knows that, he’s helping me roll over. “I know because I pay attention to everything you do, Maddie.”
He pulls the cover up over my body, and when he does, I reach for his hand. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I have to say it. Thank you for saving me and for taking care of me. I’m sorry that you have to, but I appreciate it.”
I feel his weight move on the bed, and then he’s kissing my cheek. “Sleep, baby. I’ll be right here.”
For the longest time, I lie here and try to clear my thoughts. Asher has his hand on my back, and he rubs up and down over and over. Eventually, I let sleep take me.
CHAPTER 16
ASHER
I’m being ridiculous, and I know I am, but that doesn’t stop me from sitting on the chair in the corner of my bedroom and watching Madelyn to make sure she’s breathing.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in all my life. I heard her screaming all the way from my office, and instantly, I took off running through the house. As I passed the kitchen, I don’t know how, but I saw her fanny pack sitting on the counter, and I grabbed it on the way out the door. Thank God I did.
I keep replaying the events of the day in my head, and I don’t know what I would do if something had happened to her. I could have lost her, and I just now found her.
My stomach clenches as I continue to watch her sleep. I know she said the last time this happened, she slept for three hours, and the closer we get to the three-hour mark, the more nervous I get.
When she starts to stretch her arms over her head, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
She throws off the covers, and I’m over to her in an instant. “You okay? What do you need?”
She blinks through her drowsiness. “I uh… have you been sitting there this whole time?”
I nod, watching her closely. She has some color back in her cheeks. I’ve already inspected the bee sting on her arm, and even though it’s red, the swelling is very minimal.
“How long did I sleep?”
I don’t have to look at my phone or a clock. “Two hours and thirty-five minutes.”
Her eyes widen, and she starts to get up. I help her, and she holds her hands up. “I just need to use the bathroom.”
I walk with my arm around her waist. “I can carry you.”
She keeps going. “I can walk.”
Once we’re in the bathroom, she stops next to the commode. “Uh, can I get some privacy?”
“What if—”
She puts her hands at my waist and laughs. “I am not peeing in front of you, Asher. I’m fine.”
I ram my hand through my hair. “Okay, fine.” I start to back out of the door. “I’m going to leave the door cracked. Just holler if you need me. I’ll be in the bedroom.”
She’s nodding, and I take a deep breath as I mostly close the door behind me.
Only a few minutes go by, and I hear her swear through the door. I call through the crack, “What is it? Want me to come in?”
“No!” she hollers. “I mean, I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”
There’s more noises coming from the bathroom, and I start to get worried. When she comes out, she heads straight for her clothes and picks them up. “I’m going back to my room.”
“Wait, hold up. What’s happening?”
She shrugs and won’t look me in the eye. “Nothing. I just want to go back to my room.”
I put my hand on her chin and draw it up so she has to look at me. “Don’t lie to me, Maddie. What’s going on?”