Follow Me Always

by HELEN HARDT

  “How the hell did you get in here?”

  “Same way you did. I walked in.”

  “Why the fuck are you— Oh, hell. Never mind. Help me get her out of here.”

  To my surprise, Addie helps me drag Tessa out of the bathroom.

  “She’s out cold,” Addie says.

  “Thanks for stating the obvious.” I pat Tessa’s cheek. “Tessa, come on. It’s Skye. Wake up.”

  My heart beats wildly as fear settles in. Why isn’t she responding?

  Did she take more drugs? Were there any drugs in the house? Fuck. “Call 911,” I say to Addie.

  “She’s just drunk.”

  “For God’s sake.” I leave Tessa for a moment to get my purse and grab my phone. I quickly dial 911 and explain the situation. “Please hurry,” I say before ending the call. Then I call Braden.

  “Hey,” I say when he answers. “Tessa has passed out, and I’m afraid she might have done some drugs or something.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “I may not be here. We called 911.”

  “We? Who’s we?”

  Shit. “Addie. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when you get here.”

  “Addie?” he nearly snarls. “I might have known.”

  “Known what?”

  “I can’t explain now. I’m heading to Tessa’s. If the ambulance gets there before I do, text me where you’re going.”

  I nod into the phone. He can’t see me, but I can’t even think about that right now. He knew Addie was here?

  But who cares? Tessa is unconscious, and I have no idea what she took.

  I turn to Addie. “What do I do? What if she OD’d?”

  “You mean Braden didn’t have all the answers?” she says with sarcasm.

  “Stop it. Just stop it. This woman is unconscious. What do I do?”

  “Why do you think I’d know?”

  “You’re rich. You’ve probably experimented with drugs.”

  “Apple did. I didn’t.”

  “Then call Apple. Please. I don’t know what to do.”

  She actually nods and grabs her phone. A few seconds later, “Apple said check to make sure she has a pulse.”

  Good advice. Why didn’t I think of it? I place my fingers on Tessa’s neck. It’s faint, but it’s there. “Yeah, she’s got a pulse.”

  “She’s alive,” Addie says into the phone. “Now what?”

  Pause.

  “She said make sure she’s lying on her side in case she pukes.”

  “She already puked.”

  “Doesn’t matter. She could puke again.”

  “Got it.” I roll Tessa onto her side. “Now what?”

  “Clear out her mouth.”

  I take a quick look. “She’s clear.”

  Addie listens intently with her phone to her ear. Then, “That’s all Apple knows. We just wait for the paramedics.”

  I nod. “Tell her thanks.”

  I sit, Tessa’s hand in mine, actually thankful that Addie is here. Having another conscious human helps me, even if it’s Addison Ames. Why she’s here, I still have no clue. Braden didn’t seem surprised, but I don’t even care about that right now.

  Each second passes like an hour. Only ten minutes have elapsed since I called 911, but every moment is one less moment that Tessa has.

  “Addie, look around,” I say, my other hand lodged on Tessa’s neck over her carotid. “See if you can find evidence of drugs. We need to be able to tell the paramedics what she took.”

  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?”

  “That, and because you needed to get away.”

  I don’t reply.

  “This isn’t your fault, Skye.”

  “She asked me to have dinner with her and Garrett tonight. I said no, because you and I had plans. I knew we were going to… And I was looking forward to it. I wanted it so badly.”

  “Why didn’t you call me? I would have understood.”

  “I know. But I didn’t want to break our date. I wanted… Damn! How selfish am I?”

  “It’s not selfish to refuse to break a previous commitment, Skye. You and I both know that. Tessa is a grown-up. She’s responsible for her own actions.”

  He’s right. Of course, I know he’s right. But after Tessa and I just made up, I should have been there for her. I should have put her first.

  Instead I put Braden first. I put myself first.

  I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive myself.

  …

  A few hours later, a young doctor comes to the waiting room and approaches the Logans. “I’m Dr. Mary Hedstrom. I have good news. Tessa is going to be fine.”

  The anvil slides from my shoulders. My guilt doesn’t subside, but at least Tessa is okay. That’s the main thing.

  “Could I speak to you two in private?” Dr. Hedstrom says.

  “It’s okay,” Dan replies. “Skye is Tessa’s best friend, and Mr. Black is Skye’s…gentleman friend. They’ve both been very helpful. You may speak freely.”

  “All right. Tessa had an allergic reaction based on an interaction of two different substances that she ingested.”

  Drugs. She did drugs again. What was she thinking?

  “What substances?” Dan asks.

  “Alcohol and ketamine.”

  Braden lifts his eyebrows. “Ketamine?”

  “What’s ketamine?” Carlotta asks.

  Good. I want to know as well, but I don’t have the energy to ask.

  “Technically it’s an anesthetic,” Dr. Hedstrom says, “but it’s also used sometimes to treat pain or depression.”

  Finally, I find my voice. “Tessa’s not depressed.”

  “Skye’s right,” Carlotta says. “Tessa has never been prone to anxiety or depression.”

  Though she did take the breakup with Garrett hard, which is so unlike her. And tonight…she got so upset because he wouldn’t spend the night. Again, unlike her.

  Dr. Hedstrom clears her throat. “Ketamine in a smaller dose can make a person docile. It can also cause dizziness and diminished reflexes. Sometimes eye movements can seem uncoordinated.”

  “Her eyes were weird,” I say. “Before she passed out, I mean.”

  “I’m not surprised. Mr. and Mrs. Logan, I checked Tessa’s name in our database. I don’t show her ever being prescribed ketamine. That doesn’t mean she wasn’t. If her provider isn’t a part of our network, we wouldn’t have the records. But most providers in Boston are part of this network.”

  “If no one prescribed it, then how did she get it?” Carlotta asks.

  The doctor takes a deep breath before continuing. “Unfortunately, ketamine is a nightclub drug. Men sometimes use it to drug women. It’s known as one of the date rape drugs.”

  Carlotta gasps, her hand flying to her mouth.

  “Of all the…” Dan shakes his head.

  “No,” I say. “Tessa wasn’t at a club tonight. She and Garrett went to dinner, and then they went to her place, and—”

  “Do you know that for sure?” Dr. Hedstrom asks.

  “I wasn’t there, if that’s what you mean. But that’s what she told me. But…”

  “What, Skye?” Braden nudges me.

  “Tessa wasn’t herself tonight. She was so upset over something that normally wouldn’t upset her. Just like the last time.”

  “The last time?” Carlotta says.

  Crap. I didn’t mean to say that. I can’t rat to Carlotta about Tessa taking ecstasy. I continue, “Either she’s really in love with this guy, or…”

  “Or he drugged her,” Braden says matter-of-factly.

  My blood runs cold. Garrett? No. He wouldn’t drug her. He wouldn’t. But if he would, then would Peter, his best friend, do the same?

  “Mr. Black, if you know something, you need to tell us,” Dan says.

  “Call me Braden. If Tessa wasn’t at a club tonight, how else would she have gotten ketamine?”

  I have to say something. I don’t want to, but I have to. For Tessa’s own good.

  “Tessa doesn’t normally do drugs,” I say, “but a couple weeks ago, when she and Garrett broke up, she took ecstasy.”

  Carlotta nearly loses her footing, but Dan and Braden both steady her.

  “It’s off brand for her,” I say. “I was surprised as all of you are. But I felt I should say something. If she took ecstasy, it’s possible she took ketamine.”

  The doctor talks to Dan and Carlotta, and soon their voices are only a buzzing between my ears.

  Because none of this makes sense.

  Images appear in my mind. That night I went clubbing with Tessa, Betsy, Garrett, and Peter. Tessa was on Garrett’s lap within a minute, and by the end of the evening, Betsy was cuddled up with Peter…whom she’d just met.

  They were lovey-dovey all the way, and I didn’t think anything of it.

  Except now?

  Neither of them were acting like themselves.

  Is Braden right?

  Did Garrett give the ketamine to Tessa?

  And did Peter give it to Betsy?

  Oh. My. God.

  Peter hit on me first, and Braden showed up and took me away from him.

  Peter seemed almost afraid of Braden when we saw him at the Opera Guild Gala.

  At the time, I figured it was because of the contract his father’s firm wanted with Black, Inc.

  And Braden seemed adamant that I stay away from Peter.

  Was it jealousy?

  Partially, yes. But what if it was also something else?

  I break through the buzzing voice. “Braden.”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you? You think Garrett gave Tessa the ketamine.”

  “I have no proof of that.”

  “Then why did you bring it up?”

  “
Let’s just say I think he may have access to it.”

  The doctor’s voice is still buzzing to the Logans.

  Finally, I break through. “Can we see Tessa?”

  “Just her parents for now,” Dr. Hedstrom says.

  I nod. So many questions. Tessa promised me she wouldn’t do drugs. Yet somehow ketamine got into her system. Would Tessa lie to me?

  No, I don’t believe she would. She never has before.

  Which means Garrett gave it to her or someone else did.

  And whoever did, they did it without her knowledge.

  She was drugged…and Garrett is the prime suspect.

  “Doctor,” I say, “could ketamine and alcohol have such a dire effect? Obviously it was a small dose of ketamine, right?”

  “It’s hard to say. We’ll know more after we’re able to speak with Tessa. If she doesn’t have any retroactive amnesia, we’ll know the dose was small.”

  “Retroactive amnesia?” Carlotta asks.

  “Amnesia that causes you to lose time from before you took the drug. For example, if Tessa took the drug at—”

  Dan clears his throat. “My daughter did not take that drug.”

  Did he hear me say she took ecstasy? Though I agree with him now. Tessa didn’t take the ketamine.

  Still, it got into her system somehow.

  “I need to ask you both,” Dr. Hedstrom says. “Does Tessa take anything else? Like I said, I couldn’t find any prescriptions in our system, but does she take anything else?”

  “You mean like over-the-counter stuff?” Dan asks.

  “Yes, over-the-counter meds. Herbal supplements. Everything.”

  “I honestly don’t know,” Carlotta says. “She hasn’t lived with us since she was eighteen.”

  “Her allergies were bothering her tonight,” I offer. “She takes that stuff. I think it’s echinacea.”

  Dr. Hedstrom raises her eyebrows. “Do you know how much echinacea she takes?”

  “No, just that she takes it. She has terrible hay fever.”

  “That may be the issue. Echinacea can interact with ketamine and make the effects more profound. Then the alcohol on top of everything…” Dr. Hedstrom shakes her head. “But the good news is that Tessa is out of danger. She probably would’ve come to on her own, but I’m glad you brought her in, especially since she was vomiting.”

  “Mr. Black…” Dan begins.