Page 68 of Broken Dreams
Doctor. Why do we need a doctor?
Addison helps me to a chair. “Do you have any allergies?”
I shake my head. “Penicillin and peanuts. Did someone put penicillin in the chili?”
“No, I doubt that.”
A few seconds later, Dr. Schwartz is in front of me, her smile is comforting but her eyes tell me otherwise. “When did the symptoms start?”
“What symptoms?”
Addison’s brows lift. “Well, ummm, you’re kind of swelling. Like a lot.”
“What?” I try to say but my lips don’t feel like they’re parting. I move my hand to my face, feeling the puffiness. Oh fucking hell. My lips weren’t swollen from the spicy food, but something else.
She moves behind me, cradling my head in her lap. “It’s fine. You look great. Honestly, I was exaggerating.”
“Liar,” I manage to get out.
Dr. Schwartz leans in. “Are you having any problems breathing?”
“No.” I’m not, it’s just I’m itching like fucking crazy and I worry my face looks like I went ten rounds in a boxing ring.
“Good. Someone grab my bag,” the doctor says. A person beside her does and the doctor gets medication and a needle.
I look up at Addison. “I hate needles.”
She smiles. “I’ll get you a sticker if you don’t cry.”
“Terrible reward,” I tell her.
“What would you rather?”
“A kiss.”
Addison shakes her head with a soft laugh. “Fine, no tears and I’ll kiss you. Once your lips...you know, go back to normal.”
There wasn’t a chance in hell I was crying anyway, so I’m kind of looking forward to this.
“Grady?” I hear my brother Asher’s voice. I look up and he is trying to hide a smile, but doing a shit job at it. “Oh! Fuck. You look like shit...” He laughs again. “Is he going to be okay?” the dickhead finally asks as he crouches next to the doctor.
“Yes, he’s just having an allergic reaction. I’m going to give you some epinephrin and that should help.”
“Oh, I need a photo of this.” He pulls his phone out, snaps a picture, and then slips it back in.
She jams the needle in my leg and pushes down on the syringe. I wince and Addison strokes my hair.
I look up and grin. “No tears.”
Addy laughs and rolls her eyes. “My hero.”
I feel my body relax after a bit. She cradles me, watching my face with a soft smile. “All for chili,” she says, pushing my hair back.
“More for you.”
“I’m so sorry. I hate that you ate something that made you this sick.”
“It was worth it for this,” I tell her, my lips finally feeling more like I have control of them.
