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.”