“Inhaler?”
He nods, and my eyes widen in shock. “You have asthma?”
He nods again, and I can’t believe I didn’t know this about him.
“Okay, inhaler. In your room?”
He confirms, and I quickly run out of the garage, then jump up the stairs. Rushing into his room, I realize I have no idea where to look. I start in the bathroom, rummaging through the drawers and cabinets. When I come up empty, I go to his nightstand. Scattering his shit everywhere, I frantically look for it.
Spinning around, I panic as I try to figure out where he keeps it. I go to his desk and finally find it next to his laptop.
“Thank God,” I mutter, then rush back to the garage.
He’s in the same spot I left him, and he’s bent over, taking in shallow breaths. Bruno’s lying next to him as if he knows how to comfort Elijah during his attacks.
“Sorry, it took me forever to find it.” I hand it over, and he quickly presses the top and sucks in the medicine. I watch eagerly for him to recover. He takes a few more puffs, and after a moment, he starts breathing regularly.
“Are you okay?”
He nods, blowing out a breath. “That was a bad one.”
“How did I not realize you had asthma?”
“It’s not something I’ve broadcasted.” He gets to his feet. “Don’t feel bad.”
“What triggers them?”
He winces, and I step back. “What is it?”
“It’s a little painful. My chest and lungs feel sore afterward, but I’ll be okay. It’ll pass.”
I fidget with my shirt, feeling helpless and wishing I could do something to make him better.
“I think it was the dust,” he states after a moment. “I found the batteries and came in here to get the ladder.”
“Well, let me change them out. I’m sure I can figure it out.”
He flashes me a wary look.
“What? I can. Just talk me through what to do.”
“Okay, well. You gotta carry that ladder inside the house. Think you can do that?”
I look up at the wall where it’s hanging. It’s at least eight feet, and there’s no way I’m gonna be able to lift it on my own. “Oh, definitely.”
Eli chuckles and backs away. “I’ll put on a mask and get it. Don’t worry.”
“Hey.” I grab his arm and move him toward the door. “I can totally do it.”
His eyes lower to my hand, and he smirks. “Alright, be my guest.”
Chapter Ten
ELIJAH
Watching Cami struggle to carry the ladder is comical. She’s about to take out the dining room chandelier, and no matter how many times I offer to help, she insists she’s got it.
I direct her to a spot in the living room where we should check first, but honestly, it could be any one of the smoke detectors. It’s too high to actually know until you’re closer to it.
“Alright, here is good.” I grab one side of the ladder and set it on the floor. “You climbing up or am I?”
“Nope, you stay right there. I’m doing this.”
Digging into my pocket, I grab a battery and hand it to her. “Okay, here you go.”
Once the ladder is secure, I hold the other side and watch as she carefully climbs it. Her face pales the higher she goes. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” I ask.
“No. Well, maybe a little.”
I snort, chuckling. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall.”
“That’s very reassuring when I can hear you laughing.” She makes it to the second to the top step and reaches the smoke detector. I instruct her on how to remove the old battery.
“Now make sure the positive and negative are lined up correctly.”
“Okay, I’m not that stupid,” she retorts.
“I’m just trying to be helpful,” I say, moving to the other side so I can get a better look. “But if it’s wrong, you’ll have to go back up and fix it.”
She sighs loudly. “Fine. I’ll double-check.”
Once she snaps it in and secures the cover, I tell her to hold the test button until it beeps. “You did it.”
“You doubted me?” she taunts, slowly climbing down. I hold the sides of the ladder even as her ass brushes against me.
“I’d never,” I tease, but it’s hard to concentrate with her this close.
“I think you can let go now. I can’t hurt myself falling from one foot off the ground,” she states as my chest presses against her back.
Releasing my grip, I step away, giving her space. “Good job,” I tell her when she spins around and faces me. “Only ten more to go.”
Her proud expression drops. “Are you serious?”
I grin. “Nah, you got the right one.”
She smacks me, and when I cough, her eyes go wide, and she covers her mouth. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I forgot already.”
My chest still feels a little tight, and not getting enough oxygen exhausts me, but she’s been a good distraction.
I haven’t had an attack of that magnitude in months, and it’s a good thing we never did smoke since there’s always a chance that can trigger an attack. I was caught off guard, but I should’ve known better. The garage hasn’t been used in who knows how long, other than Cami parking her Range Rover in there, and there was dust everywhere. As soon as I moved shit around, it triggered my asthma. I typically only need my inhaler when I work out too hard or during allergy season, but I’m thankful she was here to get it for me. Her springing to action and being so concerned made me realize she cares about me more than she lets on.
“You’re fine, but maybe don’t beat me up right after I can breathe again.”
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Now you’re just trying to make me feel bad.”
“I’d never.” I retreat, putting space between us.
“Mm-hmm. Well, it’s not gonna work anyway.” She takes a step toward me.
Folding my arms over my chest, I step forward. “Don’t want your pity anyway, never have.”
“Do you have to argue with me on everything?” She closes the gap between us until our bodies press together.
Leaning down, I retort, “Do you have to argue with me on everything?”
She narrows her eyes. “Just for that, you can haul that ladder back into the garage on your own.”
Smirking, I laugh as she walks around me, and Bruno follows her. Damn dog has already abandoned me for her. Not that I can blame him. She’s feisty and somehow even more pretty when she’s annoyed. It’s probably why I’ve always enjoyed pressing her buttons so much. Not to mention, it’s so easy to get a rise out of her.
Once I get the ladder back in the garage, I head to the kitchen to clean the mess from breakfast and realize she already did it. I see she even figured out the dishwasher.
Well, that’s progress.
I head to my room and take a shower, needing to check in with the office. My supervisor has been blowing up my phone all morning, but I’ve been ignoring him. Not that I ever thought it was possible, but he’s somehow been more annoying than usual. I’ve told him as such, too, which of course he didn’t appreciate, but he seriously needs to chill. People aren’t spending money unless it’s essential, so sales are down company-wide.