I sprint down the hall and slam my fist on the bathroom door. “Eli! Talk to me, sweetheart!”
Nothing.
I twist the handle. Locked.
“Oh God, no.”
I don’t think. I ram my shoulder into the bathroom door, full force. It bursts open, splintering at the latch…and my whole world stops.
Eli’s on the tile. Naked body curled slightly.
Water from the shower is spraying half on him, half on the wall.
He’s still. So damn still.
“Eli!” I drop to my knees beside him, hands shaking as I try to turn him toward me. His skin is cold from the freezing water, and his body’s limp. Completely limp. “Come on, baby. Wake up. Come on.”
My breath is coming too fast. Too loud. I can’t think around the roar in my ears.
Behind me, Knuckles’ voice snaps, “Ambulance is on the way… You think he just passed out again?”
“I don’t know,” I mutter, grabbing the worn robe off the hook and killing the shower water.
My hands won’t stop shaking.
“It’s possible,” I say, forcing myself to breathe. “But every other time he’s gone down, he woke up in under a minute. That woman said his alarm’s been going off for over an hour.”
I press my fingers to his neck.
Nothing.
Move to his wrist.
Nothing again.
My chest caves in.
“Brother,” Knuckles says firmly. “Calm the fuck down and focus.”
“I can’t feel his pulse, Knucks,” I choke out. “I think he’s dead. I didn’t even get the chance to—”
“Focus,” he cuts in, sharp. “Look at his chest. He’s breathing. Nice and slow. He’s right here, man. You’re panicking so hard you can’t feel shit.”
He’s right. My own pulse is thundering in my ears like a damn train. Everything’s vibrating. I can’t tell what’s him and what’s me.
I shut my eyes, suck in a few deep breaths, and try again.
And there it is. His pulse beating steadily beneath my fingers.
“Fuck,” I mutter, the relief hitting me so hard it makes me dizzy. He’s pale and soaking wet, but his chest is rising and falling like he’s just sleeping.
I lay my hand on his chest, matching my breath to his because it’s the only thing keeping me from coming apart.
“Fuck,” I breathe. “Pretty boy, I need you to open your eyes for me.”
Nothing.
Not even a twitch.
