Page 26 of Stars Like Confetti

But I didn’t have time to apologize for scaring my friend. “Hi, Shea,” Dakota said softly, capturing my attention with their kind green eyes. “Can I put this on you?”

I nodded and let him put the alligator-clamp thingy on my finger. He also rucked up my shorts, administering another shot of epi directly into my skin. I whimpered when he massaged the area again, already feeling a bruise form. Theo hugged me tighter. “It’s okay, baby,” they whispered in my ear. “Da’s got you.”

The adrenaline kicked up my heart rate, and my hands began to shake.

“Your oxygen and heart rate are good. Can I listen to your chest?”

I nodded again. My breaths were starting to come easier, and I was able to relax into Theo’s arms. They still whispered softly in my ear, tenderly shushing my cries. Their voice was my only comfort in that moment. I was flushed, wet, and my throat hurt. And I still fucking itched.

Dakota put a stethoscope against my chest and instructed me to take a few deep breaths. They seemed satisfied enough, giving me a kind smile. “I’m okay with your vitals, but I have to ask: Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“No!” I shouted, louder than I intended but Dakota didn’t seem to be bothered by my outburst. I softened my voice. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you. But I do have to get that stinger out, and that might be uncomfortable. Is that okay?”

I twisted to look up at Theo. Their eyes were glossy, but the corner of their lips quirked into a tender smile. “I’m right here.”

I didn’t like pain. Particularly sharp pains. They reminded me too much of that needle in my arm and the night my entire life went to hell. I swallowed hard, wincing against a sore throat. Theo’s eyes said everything Dakota’s mouth didn’t: If the stinger didn’t come out, then I was going to the hospital. Recurring reactions were a risk either way, but taking the stinger out was the best option.

Sighing, I shifted, only for Theo to lift me into their lap like I weighed nothing. I tucked my face into their neck while they and Dakota had a hushed conversation.

“Do we need to take him inside?”

“Not if he’s comfortable here.”

Theo shuffled beneath me, then I felt soft silicone pressing against my lips. “Open up, little one.”

I did so without a second thought. I trusted Theo, and when they placed a new soother onto my tongue, I happily accepted it, already digging my teeth into the nipple in anticipation of the pain. Of course they had a backup pacifier. I don’t know why I ever thought they wouldn’t. Da thinks of everything.

“Can you pull his sleeve up?”

Theo held my sleeve out of the way, and I flinched once I felt Dakota’s fingers on me. I’d have to apologize to them later. “I’m sorry,” they murmured, cleaning my skin with an alcohol wipe. “I’ll make this quick. Big pinch.”

My teeth sank right through the rubber in my mouth. Theo held my sleeve up with one hand, rubbing my back with the other.

I whimpered when whatever tool Dakota was using popped off the skin.

“Almost there, Shea. You’re doing great; small sting now and I’ll clean you up.”

It was over before I could register the pain. Something cool was spread onto my skin, followed by a bandage.

“There we go. All finished.” Then to Theo, “keep some EpiPens nearby. If he starts having any symptoms, straight to the hospital, okay?”

“Thanks, Dakota.” Theo kissed my cheek, still softly rubbing my back. “You did so good, Shea.”

My eyes were wet when I opened them. Sniffling, I rubbed them dry. I spat the emaciated pacifier into my hand, grimacing at the sight of the shredded rubber.

“It’s okay,” Theo soothed. “There’s plenty more where that came from.”

“Wet,” was the only word to come out of my mouth. It was near silent and my throat was killing me but I was so uncomfortable. My arm still stung from the bug sucker that Dakota had used. The hives were fading, but still itched like crazy and all I wanted was ice cream.

But the wet diaper was something I could address right away.

Well, something Theo could address.

“Think you can walk? Or should I carry you inside.”

Inside. With all those other campers who just witnessed me nearly die from a freaking bee sting. No thanks. In place of a verbal response, I shuffled off of Theo’s lap and onto my feet. My legs shook, but I continued.