15. Madelyn

CHAPTER 15

MADELYN

My momand dad didn’t even stay a full day. They said it was because they knew I had work to do, but I think it was because they found the Georgia heat stifling. My mom said I seemed happy and was in good hands, and so they left early this morning and went back to New York.

I’ve been out pruning trees all morning. I’ve seen Beau and some of the other guys, but I haven’t seen Asher since I left the house earlier. I’ve kept a look out for him, and I’m sure he’ll show up eventually, but I just haven’t seen him yet.

I try to focus on my work, but my mind keeps replaying what happened after breakfast. After Beau ate and left the house, my plan was to follow him, but I found out Asher had other ideas. I guess waking up in his arms wasn’t enough because he had me bent over the kitchen counter before he even let me out the door.

It’s like he’s insatiable and can’t get enough. But I can’t say much because I feel the same way.

When lunchtime rolls around, my stomach is grumbling. I can usually work through lunch, but I guess all this extracurricular activity has me hungrier than usual. And of course I left my fanny pack that holds my protein bars back at the house. The only thing I can think is that I forgot to put it back on after getting redressed in the kitchen.

I start walking toward the house and lost in thought, I barely register the sound of buzzing until it’s almost too late.

I stop and automatically reach for my fanny pack. As soon as I pat my bare waist, panic sets in. Of all days to forget my fanny pack. I should have gone back to the house this morning as soon as I reached for my pruning tools and discovered it missing. I definitely shouldn’t have gone half the day unprotected.

I stand perfectly still. I know that if I don’t bother the bee, it won’t bother me, but it’s like this bee is wanting to torment me. Over and over it zooms by, and I clench my eyes as the buzzing goes right near my ear.

I take a slow step forward, and it keeps buzzing all around me. It sounds like there’s at least a hundred bees, but I’m able to rationalize that it’s all my imagination. It’s only one, but it might as well be a hundred.

I take another small step forward. Anxiety takes over, and my heart starts to race. I tell myself to stay calm, but it’s easier said than done. Sweat forms on my forehead as the bee lands on my arm.

I watch it for two seconds as it sits on my arm before I lose it. I’m not sure how I figure this is the best thing to do, but I take off running, slinging my arms as I go. I feel the sting on my arm, but I keep running anyway. The logical part of me knows I should conserve my energy and control my breathing, but it doesn’t stop me.

I can feel my tongue thicken and my throat start to close.

I’m praying the whole way to the house that Asher is there.

When the house comes into view, I scream as loudly as I can for Asher. Dizziness and breathlessness hits me all at once. I fall to my knees as everything goes black.

“Maddie! Maddie! Fuck, Maddie.”

I can hear Asher calling my name, but it feels like it’s coming from miles away.

I wake up to Asher holding me in his arms, carrying me into the house.

I lift my head to look at him. “The Epi…”

He nods. “Thank God. I gave you the pen.”

My body starts to tremble, and Asher holds me tighter in his arms. He’s mumbling, but I try to stay focused. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

I shake my head, exhausted. “No, I’m fine. Let the pen work.”

“Maddie, you have to—”

I cut him off and try to explain to him as calmly as I can. “I’m fine now. I’m going to be okay. I just want to rest.”

He curses softly and then takes the stairs two at a time. He walks to the first door at the top and kicks it open with his foot. He carries me into the room and then sits down on the bed with me in his lap.

Even though I’m so tired, I can feel my heart racing. I know it’s the medicine doing its work, but I hate this jittery feeling.

Asher is quiet as he holds me against his chest, and I try to lighten the mood. “You know, you sure do carry me a lot.”

He just grunts and doesn’t say anything.

“Asher, I’m sorry—”

He cuts me off, and there’s pain in his voice. “Please, don’t apologize. This is my fault, Maddie. It’s all my fault.”

I press my face into his neck. “I’m not sure how you get that. How is it your fault I’m allergic to bees?”

His voice is hard. “It’s my fault you didn’t have your EpiPen with you. I should have made sure when you left the house this morning. You had it on and then I… I…”

I lift my arm and put my hand on his chest. “I’m an adult. It’s my own fault. I know not to go anywhere without it.” I lift my head to look at him. “You saved me, Asher.”

He clenches his eyes shut and shakes his head as if he’s thinking of something awful. “What if I wasn’t here? What if I hadn’t gotten to you in time?”

It’s my turn to wince. I hate for Asher to think I’m weak, and that’s exactly what he’s thinking right now. Emotions start to roll through me, and I can’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. As I cry, Asher just holds me tighter.

He lays me down on the bed and sits next to me. He pushes the hair off my face, and I scratch at my arm where I got stung.

“Don’t pick at it.”

I roll my eyes and put my arm over my face and listen to him as he gets on the phone. All I can hear is his side of the conversation.

“Hey, Beau. I’m at the house and will be here the rest of the day.”

“Yeah, Madelyn is here with me. She was stung by a bee.”

“She’s okay.”

“Yeah, whatever it is, take care of it.”

When he hangs up, I groan. “You don’t have to take care of me, Asher. I’m going to be fine. As a matter of fact, I’ll probably sleep for a while, so you can go do whatever you need to do.”

“Staying with you is what I need to do.”

I groan and move my arm so I can look him in the face. “The last thing I want is to be a burden. Seriously, I’m okay. Please, go.” I lift up, and it registers that I’m lying in his bed in his room and not in my own. “I can go back to my room.”

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.