Page 7 of Taste of Surrender

As I looked over at him, panic surged through me as I remembered his allergy. “Shit! Were you just stung by a bee?”

He nodded, his bright blue eyes wide. “Yeah, and I don’t have my EpiPen on me. It’s back at camp in my bag.”

Without hesitation, Jesse bolted back down the trail as he called out, “I’ll go get it!”

I knelt beside Jasper as he sank to the ground, his head between his legs as if his lungs were closing up. I supposed they were, and my heart thumped rapidly as I tried not to show how worried I was about him. “Hey,” I murmured, “you’re gonna be okay. Jesse will get your EpiPen, and everything will be fine.”

Jasper managed a weak smile as he lifted his head slightly. “You’re right, it’s just ... scary, you know?”

“Yeah,” I admitted, my heart aching for him. “But you’re not alone. I’m right here with you.”

As I spoke, I felt something wash over me. It was like a warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with the summer sun. At that moment, with Jasper’s hand in mine, I realized just how deeply I cared for him. I could tell myself it was only a crush, but deep down, I knew it was more.

“Malachi,” Jasper whispered. “Thank you.”

I met his gaze. “For what?”

“For being here,” he said simply, his eyes searching mine.

“Always.” I couldn’t take the silence as we waited, so I finally asked, “Wanna play a game?”

“Sure, what game?”

“How about the questions game?” I suggested.

He nodded. “All right. You ask first.”

“Okay.” I thought for a moment. “If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?”

“Hmmm well, I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights. I think it would be so cool to see.”

“Yeah, it would,” I agreed, glad to see a spark of enthusiasm in his eyes. “Your turn.”

He hesitated for a beat, then asked, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

I didn’t have to think twice. “Definitely flying. Imagine soaring above the trees, feeling the wind in your hair, and getting to places faster.”

Jasper nodded. “Yeah, that would be awesome.”

We continued exchanging questions, each one a brief distraction from the worry gnawing inside me. I could see rashes start to appear on his arm, but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to draw attention to it. He was already having difficulty breathing with each passing minute, and that gave us both enough to panic about.

Finally, Jesse ran up the trail and I stood, moving out of the way so he could get to Jasper. In a flash, he stuck his brother in the leg and administered the medication, and I felt my body relax.

Jesse handed Jasper a bottle of water. “You good?”

“I will be. Thank you.” Jasper took a sip. “Mom and Dad freaking out?”

Jesse shook his head. “They weren’t there.”

“Thank god.”

“Well, I’m just happy I didn’t need to give you mouth-to-mouth.” I winked at Jasper.

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t have pushed you away.”

“Okay, gross.” Jesse shuddered playfully.

“Are you ready to head back to camp? We can take it slow,” I said to Jasper.