Page 62 of Beating Heart
He’s okay. This is normal with asthma. You did everything right by bringing him right back here.
I didn’t say the words, but I knew he understood them because he nodded slightly.
I hadn’t even realized everyone had gathered around now, as I’d tuned everything out but Cutler and Nash.
River, Kingston, Romeo, and Hayes were all surrounding Nash, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Ruby, Saylor, Peyton, and Demi all standing there, watching with concern.
I stroked Cutler’s damp hair away from his face as his breathing began to slow.
“He’s okay,” I said, and I could feel the silent relief coming off their bodies. Cutler surprised me when he turned slightly and nestled his head beneath my chin. I wrapped my arms around him. “You’re all right. I promise you are.”
Nash was just watching me. Watching his son. Concern was still laced in that soulful gaze of his as he moved closer and ran a hand down Cutler’s back.
“You all right, buddy?”
Cutler nodded in response but didn’t speak just yet. It was a scary feeling when you couldn’t catch your breath, and my guess was that he was just taking a minute until he felt confident enough to talk.
“What happened?” River asked. “I just saw you pull him out of the water before I even realized what was happening.”
“He wanted to swim,” Nash said, and now those concerned eyes were riddled with guilt. That was the thing with asthma: It could come out of nowhere. And parents would feel horrible and responsible, even though it wasn’t their fault at all. Nash had a plan in place, and he’d stuck to it. In the future, I would recommend carrying the inhaler in a waterproof bag and taking it with him, but he was close enough that he made it back in plenty of time. Cutler’s lips weren’t blue; his color was still there. He just needed the medication for quick relief. “He was jumping around in the water, and he started coughing at first. I could tell something was wrong, so I got him out of there immediately, and I was glad I did, because he started wheezing as soon as I got him on the jet ski.”
“What triggers it?” Ruby asked, as she dropped to sit beside me and kissed his cheek.
“It could be seasonal allergies, the pollen from the trees, or he could have a cold starting. It’s hard to know. And he might not have another flare-up for weeks or months.” I looked up at Nash, who was looking away at the water, deep in thought. I reached for his arm and tapped it, waiting for him to look at me. “You did everything right. He’s fine.”
He nodded and let out a long breath. “I should have brought the inhaler with me.”
“It wasn’t necessary today, but it wouldn’t hurt in the future. You can get a waterproof bag and keep it on you, just in case. But it wouldn’t have made a huge difference. His breathing relaxed immediately. This is a stronger medication than he had before, and it works quickly.”
“Pops,” Cutler whispered.
“Yeah?”
“Stop worrying. I just like hugging my girl, Sunny.” His voice was tired but laced with humor, and laughter erupted around us.
“That’s our boy,” Romeo said.
Kingston sighed and leaned his head back against the dock, as if the relief was overwhelming him. Saylor went and settled on his lap.
And we all just sat there in the sunshine, me holding the sweetest boy on the planet, and all my new friends surrounding us.
Cutler slowly came back to life, and he put his hand on my cheek. “You know you’re my girl forever now.”
I nodded. “I like the sound of that.”
“Damn. Beefcake is locking down his girls even when he’s not feeling a hundred percent,” River said with a chuckle.
We all moved to our feet to make our way back to the yard, because Kingston said he’d get the food going on the grill. And just like that, Cutler was walking with Saylor to go see Winnie and Dandelion.
“Hey, take it easy, buddy,” Nash called out. He and I were the last two still standing on the dock, and the back of his hand grazed mine where we stood, and he just stared at me.
My teeth sank into my bottom lip, and I glanced toward the yard as I watched everyone carry out the food and place it on the big outdoor table where we’d be eating. Cutler was sitting on the patio with Saylor and the dogs. I turned back to look at Nash. “Hey, are you okay?”
He gave me that quick, simple nod I was learning was his way of answering without speaking, but then he surprised me. “Thank you. Thank you so fucking much.”
“Nash.” I shook my head. He was giving me way too much credit.
“Emerson.”
