Page 61 of #Moonstruck

“I’m going to get changed in the bathroom,” I said. I wanted to get this costume off me.

“Do you need any help?” Another serious/joking question.

“I’m a big girl, Ryan. I can do it myself. I’ll be right back.”

It was actually a little harder to get out of the dress and wings than I’d anticipated. The wings were completely bent and broken, and I hoped they weren’t planning on using them for anything else, as they were now a lost cause. I used the facilities, washed my hands, and did my best to wash my face. A puddle of glitter surrounded me on the floor. I had the feeling that was going to be happening for a while.

When I came out, I saw that Ryan had also changed into regular clothes. Which was kind of a bummer.

A young nurse knocked on the door with a small cup on a tray. “Here you go.”

“This stuff always knocks me out,” I said before swallowing it.

“You’re not driving, are you?”

“No, she’s not,” Ryan answered.

I saw the moment when the nurse realized who he was. She got really flustered. “Oh. Okay. Great. Well, here’s your discharge papers with the instructions for what you should, uh, what you should do if your symptoms return.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Please call us if you need anything. Anything at all.” Only she said that last part to Ryan and not to me.

He thanked her as well and then took me by the hand to lead me to the waiting car. He kept his head ducked down the whole way, not wanting to be recognized.

I could tell it was too late for that. The allergy medicine kicked in, making my limbs feel lethargic and my mind fuzzy. Ryan had to keep me from stumbling more than once.

We got into the car, and I lolled my heavy head against the back of the seat. “I have glitter in places that do not bear mentioning,” I murmured.

I felt him pull me in close and rest my head against his shoulder. “I was really scared today. The thought of something happening to you ... and there was nothing I could do ... don’t ever do that again.”

“I’m not in charge of the bees,” I told him in a tired voice, my eyes fused shut, sleep enveloping me.

“I know.” He might have kissed me on the forehead, or I might have imagined it. “It just made me realize that ... Maisy? I think that I’m falling in—”

I passed out before he could finish his sentence.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I woke up on the moving bus, not sure how I’d gotten there. “She’s awake!” Cole yelled, and then all three of my brothers stared at me.

Only I wasn’t in my bunk.

I was in Ryan’s bed.

“Why didn’t you have your Epi-Pen on you?” Parker asked.

At the same time, Fitz said, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Cole added, “It looks like somebody took a meat tenderizer to your face.”

But no Ryan.

And why did my current location not freak out any of my brothers?

They were all talking at the same time, making it difficult to catch what was going on. From what I could tell, Ryan had brought me back and insisted that I sleep in his bed, as it was the most comfortable and would give me the most room, which my brothers thought was “very cool of him.” Then he had a doctor who specialized in allergic reactions come in and check me out, who pronounced me fine despite the large swollen welt over the sting site. The doctor had said that the welt might get bigger over the next two days, but it would go away.

We were almost to the arena in Idaho, but Ryan had found a local band to fill in for us at the show. He hoped I’d be feeling well enough to perform once we got to Salt Lake City.

---