Page 28 of Tye

I was beginning to calm down now as the nebulizer forced the medication into my lungs. Eddie sent me a shamefaced look, and then her shoulders straightened.

“I messed up, and I’ll own that. Demi, I never meant to harm you, just scare you as payback for Tye. I am very sorry to have done this to you,” Eddie offered, holding my eyes.

Somehow, I knew Eddie meant it, but I didn’t feel like forgiving her just yet. I was beyond shocked at the vindictive move.

“Go to bed, Eddie, because I am embarrassed right now. I’m an adult and don’t need you to fight my battles. Especially when you hurt someone,” Ice said in a cold voice.

Eddie flinched at that. Pops helped me sit up as I dragged in beautiful lungfuls of air.

“I can’t apologise enough,” Drake said.

I glanced over at him, and holy shit. Phoe was a lucky woman. Drake was wearing shorts and nothing else. For forty-seven, that guy was fit!

“Aaron, get everyone back to bed,” Phoe instructed as Uncle Carter helped me into a chair.

I was trembling from head to toe and weak all over. This was the drawback of asthma I hated. Hell, I ran, did dressage, took part in showjumping and was generally fit. Yet, this disease would always bring me to my knees.

“How are you feeling?” Pops asked, looking worried.

I offered him a thumbs-up. He turned to Drake with an irate look.

“Had that been one of my grandkids, I’d have paddled their ass. She could have caused Demi a serious injury.”

“I’m sorry, Spike. Eddie will be severely punished. She’s a handful, but Eddie doesn’t usually hurt people,” Drake replied. Phoe coughed, and Drake reddened. “I said not usually!”

“Eddie has the makings of a bully. Your indulgence of her and Peyton needs to stop. We all know they’re your girls, but you’re ruining them. They get away with far more than the boys do, and enough is enough,” Phoe informed Drake as she rubbed my hands.

“We’ve got her,” Uncle Deke said, “you all should go back to bed.”

“Are you sure?” Phoe asked.

“Yes. But get that damn snake out of here,” he replied.

“Scout already took Slither. It’s safe now, and he wouldn’t hurt anybody. He’s a corn snake and non-venomous,” Ice explained.

“Still, finding that in your bed is enough to scare anyone,” Phoe stated as Drake helped her up. “Eddie’s in deep shit.”

“Come on, let’s leave Demi to rest,” Drake ordered as I waved at them.

My throat hurt, and my lungs felt heavy. They always did after a big attack. Ice seemed hesitant about leaving, but Pops glared at him, and he left.

Uncle Deke told the others to go to bed and said he’d wait with me. Once they’d gone, Uncle Deke checked the room for any other hidden surprises and then carried me over to the bed and tucked me in. He dragged over a comfy armchair to sit in as the nebulizer continued its work.

Slowly and reassured Uncle Deke was here, I drifted back off to sleep.

???

I made my way down the stairs, hearing chaos from the bottom floor. Kids were rushing about, and I heard a gong.

“Breakfast!” a boy shouted, and they headed into the dining room we’d eaten in last night. I looked around for an adult and saw one of Phoe’s older children appear. Christian, I thought his name was.

“Morning, Demi, how do you feel?” he asked, seeing me on the stairs.

“Better, thanks,” I replied. I never felt shame for having an attack. I had a medical condition, and if people didn’t like it, tough.

“You scared a few of us last night,” Christian stated.

“Sorry. It was such a shock, and worse, Slither pulled me out of a deep sleep.”