he carried for his son radiated from him. It was foreign to me.
This family was so unlike mine in every aspect. They were compassionate and loving. There was no criticism, and only words of encouragement shared between them. They cared about one another. They’d run to Easton’s side during this time of crisis, knowing what Percy meant to him. No one placed blame on Easton for not finding him sooner. No one yelled that he could have done better or worked harder to prevent Percy’s injuries. It was humbling to watch, and a surge of jealousy hit me square in the chest as they all hovered around Easton, rejoicing in his news.
I felt out of place. More than once, I’d considered heading back to the lodge, but I couldn’t convince my feet to leave. We’d searched for Percy together all night. We’d gone up and down the empty highway, calling his name. The whole time, I’d witnessed Easton crumble apart. I’d seen the man expose his heart more than he probably ever normally allowed. When we’d found Percy in the woods, protected by Easton’s dog, even I couldn’t help being affected. The relief that had hit me was like a tidal wave. I couldn’t imagine how Easton felt, considering his relationship with Percy.
Easton’s relief, the way his body sagged in the chair and seeing the tension leave his eyes loosened a knot that had formed in my chest. I didn’t know how worried I’d been for him until that moment.
He removed his hat, his sweaty, messy hair falling all over the place, and wiped his face on his sleeve. He shared words with his dad before glancing around.
In that moment, something in his eyes changed. They were focused, and then suddenly, they weren’t. He reached for his dad’s arm at the same time his chin fell forward against his chest, and his body went slack. His mouth hung open.
“Shit. He’s having a seizure. Dad, don’t let him fall off the chair,” Elaina said as she raced to her brother’s side, Austin on her heels.
I launched off the wall just as Easton slumped further. His dad caught his arm, and Elaina propped him upright, but Easton’s head lolled on his neck.
Easton’s face was blank and sagging, a sliver of drool ran from his lips, and his eyelids fell to half-mast.
My heart jumped into my throat. Again.
I dropped to my knees beside his sister and touched Easton’s face as fear overwhelmed me. “East. Easton.” The panic wasn’t hidden from my voice.
Elaina touched my arm. “It’s okay, sweetie. He’ll be okay. It happens. They don’t normally last long.”
“He wore himself out,” Erwin Campbell said. “He didn’t sleep last night, and god knows when he ate last.”
“Did he take his meds?” Elaina asked her father.
“He’s thirty-five years old. I don’t babysit him. How would I know?”
“The last time we ate was at lunch yesterday,” I said, taking Easton’s slack hand in mine, unable to tear my eyes from his face. “When is he supposed to take meds?”
“At breakfast and dinner.”
Then he’d likely missed two doses because we’d been going steady since those peanut butter sandwiches. Two meals had slipped by without us noticing.
“I don’t think he took them last night, and I’m sure he hasn’t taken them this morning,” I said.
A lump formed in my throat. No one else was panicking, so I tried to keep my head about me. Seeing Easton like this was terrifying. I didn’t know anything about seizures or epilepsy.
With a gasping snort, Easton jerked and lifted his head. His eyes cleared. Blinking a few times, he glanced around in confusion.
“Hey, sweetie,” Elaina said, calm as ever. “Welcome back.”
He seemed disoriented like he didn’t know where he was.
“Austin, find him water,” Elaina demanded.
“On it.”
Easton’s gaze landed on me, and he blinked a few times, lazy, slow movements. Elaina took my hand and put it on Easton’s. She backed away and let me take her place. In my ear, she whispered, “Just talk to him. He’s going to need a minute to sort himself out. He’ll be okay.”
“Lach?” The shortened form of my name came out weak but hit me square in the chest.
“Hey, you. You didn’t think we had enough drama going on today?”
A soft laugh escaped him, and he smacked his lips a few times. “I’m thirsty.”
“Austin is getting you a drink. How do you feel?”
“Like shit. Oh, man, I’m tired.”
He groaned and pulled himself straighter in the chair,