Follow Me Always (Follow Me 3)

Addie nods, her pallor two shades lighter than normal.

Is she as frightened as I am? She doesn’t even know Tessa.

“I don’t see anything. No pill bottles. No syringe. Just this empty bottle of vodka.”

“She already drank that before. Something happened while I was out getting ice cream. Damn!”

Then a harsh pounding on the door that nearly sends my heart up to my throat.

Addie opens the door and lets the paramedics in. They rush over to Tessa.

“What’s the story?” one of them asks us.

“She was drinking, and now I can’t wake her. She might have done some kind of drug, but we can’t find any evidence.”

“Got it. Her pulse is slow, but it’s there. Is she an athlete?”

“Professional? No. But she’s in good shape. Yoga and running.”

“How old is she?”

“Twenty-five.”

The paramedics get Tessa onto a stretcher.

“Where are you taking her?” I ask. “Can I ride in the ambulance?”

“Mass General. You family?”

“Friend.”

“I suppose so, if there’s no one else.”

“I’ll drive her.”

My heart melts.

Braden’s voice. He’s here. Everything will be fine now.

“That’s fine. We’ll do everything we can for your friend.”

I nod and gulp out, “Thank you.”

“What are you doing here?” Braden demands of Addie.

Addie doesn’t reply.

“It’s okay,” I tell him. “She actually helped me.”

“I’m here now,” he says to Addie. “Stay here. I’ll call a cab from my car to take you home.”

She nods nervously. This seems to have shaken her. I’m not sure why, but right now I’m concentrating on Tessa.

I don’t speak as Braden helps me into his car.

I don’t speak as he calls a cab for Addie.

I don’t speak the rest of the way to Mass General.

I don’t speak as he hands his keys over to the valet and we go into the ER.

Tessa’s parents. I have to call them. What do I tell them? What if she really was doing drugs?

Braden walks confidently to reception. “Tessa Logan was just brought in. How is she?”

“Are you a family member?”

“I’m Braden Black. My girlfriend is Tessa’s best friend. She’s the one who called 911.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Black, but I can’t give out any patient information unless you’re a family member.”

I half expect Braden to pull out a couple hundred dollar bills, but that’s not his style. He follows the rules, even though he knows I’d give my left arm to know what’s going on with Tessa.

He returns to me and sits down.

“I have to call her parents,” I say numbly.

He nods. “You mean you haven’t?”

“No. I… I couldn’t think. I have no idea what to say to them.”

He takes my phone from me. “What’s the number?”

“It’s in my contacts under Dan and Carlotta Logan.”

Braden is in control, as usual. He finds the contact and presses call. “Hello, Mr. Logan? I apologize for calling at this late hour. My name is Braden Black, and my girlfriend is Skye Manning. I’m sorry to tell you that your daughter Tessa has been taken to Mass General ER.”

Pause.

“She was drinking, and Skye found her passed out and couldn’t wake her. That’s all I know because they won’t give any information to non-family members.”

Pause.

“No problem. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. We’ll see you soon.” He turns to me. “They’re on their way.”

I nod. At least we’ll get some answers soon.

I just hope they’re the right ones.

Chapter Forty-Two

Dan and Carlotta arrive in twenty minutes. They go straight to reception and don’t say anything to us. Not that I blame them. Their little girl is back there, and for all they know she may have OD’d.

Damn!

Garrett Ramirez is so not worth this.

What hold does he have over her?

Shit. I should call Betsy. But not until I have some news on Tessa.

A nurse comes out and talks to Dan and Carlotta. Eventually, they make their way over to Braden and me.

I can’t bring myself to speak.

“Hello, Skye,” Carlotta says. “I’m so glad you found her.”

I still can’t speak.

Braden stands. “I’m Braden Black. How is Tessa?”

“She’s going to be okay,” Carlotta says. “They’re pumping her stomach.”

Then it was drugs. Damn.

“So soon?” Braden asks.

“It’s a preventive measure,” Dan says. “They won’t get her toxicology lab report back for an hour or so.”

Braden nods. “I see.”

“You two can go home,” Dan says. “We’ll call you when we know anything more, Skye.”

“Skye?” Braden asks.

“I want to stay,” I finally say.

“All right.” Braden returns to his seat. “Is there anything I can do for any of you?”

“Some coffee would be nice,” Carlotta says. “Thank you, Mr. Black.”

Braden takes my hand and pulls me out of my chair. I guess I’m going with him. Nothing in the hospital is open, of course, so we walk to a nearby convenience store. Braden grabs two coffees. “You want anything?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I should be there.”

“They needed some time to deal with what they just found out.”

“Is that why you dragged me along?”