“What happened? Did Keith arrest Jimmy and Donny? They were the ones who pushed Nana around and threw the brick through my window.”
Ash nodded. “Yes, we know. But they didn’t arrest them.”
He tried to sit up, knowing he couldn’t have heard Ash correctly, but the pain slicing through his head almost caused him to throw up.
“Lie back, please, Doctor. You have to relax and remain still.” The EMS tech placed a hand on Drew’s shoulder, but he ignored it, reaching for Ash.
What the hell? “How could Keith not arrest them? They’re criminals.” Drew’s confusion grew at the sight of Ash’s face, which had paled to an almost unnatural white. A sick feeling of dread crawled up his spine. “What’s going on? There’s something you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”
Ash tried to take his hand, but Drew knocked him away. “What is it? Tell me.”
“They’re both dead, shot by the police. But Drew, it’s Keith. He was shot, and it doesn’t look good.”
Oh God. “No. That can’t be. Keith is with Jordan. There were other police officers.” Drew sat up so quickly he almost fainted from the nausea and pain. “You’re lying.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry. After Jimmy hit you, he fired at the person directly in front of him. Keith had already arrived and didn’t wait for his backup when he saw them attacking you. The bullet hit Keith in the throat.”
“No.” Drew leaned over the edge of the gurney and vomited, heaving violent spasms onto the floor of the ambulance. He stayed in that hunched position, shivering and weeping, as the tech cleaned up the floor. The EMS worker then forced him to lie back down, threatening him with a shot that would put him out unless he complied. Drew gave in, but the pain in his head and his heart remained.
Not Keith. Why? Please God. Help him. Don’t let him die. All these thoughts swirled around madly through his mind as the ambulance stopped and he was off-loaded into the emergency room. He saw several news trucks on the street before he was whisked past the worried faces of Rachel, Nana, and Mike.
There was no sign of Jordan.
“Ash.” He reached out a hand blindly, and Ash’s familiar large hand grabbed his, squeezing it tight.
“Yes, baby, I’m here.”
“Please. Find out about Keith. I have to know.”
“But I want to stay with you.”
“No.” His voice rang out sharper than he intended. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. It’s only that… Keith. I need to know what’s happening.” His eyes searched Ash’s red-rimmed ones. “Please,” he whispered. “Do this for me.”
Ash laid his cheek on Drew’s, then kissed his lips. “I’ll do anything for you, baby.” After kissing him again, Ash left, the curtain swinging behind him.
Nurses and doctors came by to see how he was, and they sent him for an MRI. Drew knew he was getting special treatment because he was a doctor himself, but for the first time he didn’t care. As soon as he was told by the attending physician that he didn’t have a concussion and they’d stitched up his head wound, he brushed aside their suggestion that he stay the night for observation and made his way to the waiting room. It was there he found Rachel, Ash, Mike, and Nana, all waiting with white, strained faces.
“Nana.”
“Oh, Drew, my darling baby.” She broke down in tears, and he rushed to her side to gather her in his arms and hold her close. “I thought we’d lost you.”
Her familiar scent and loving arms caused him to break down for a moment. He pulled away and, still hiccupping somewhat, got himself together. “I’m fine. Where’s Jordan? What floor is Keith on?”
“They’re operating on him now,” said Ash. “Jordan is in the waiting room on the seventh floor.”
“Let’s go.” Drew stood, and they all followed. He still held on to his grandmother. “Nana, you should go home.”
“I’ll not leave that boy. I called his mother to tell her what happened, and she told me that only Jesus could save her son; then she hung up.” Fresh tears poured from her eyes. “He’ll not die without me there to fight for his last breath.”
She was the most amazing woman in the world. “I love you, Nana. And Keith will fight. I know he will.” He hugged her and pressed the elevator button.
Within minutes, they were on the seventh floor and found the waiting area. Jordan sat as if in a daze, surrounded by half a dozen police officers as well as Keith’s partner, Jerry. Jordan barely acknowledged them, but Nana went and sat next to him and took him in her arms.
“Jordy’s parents are away on vacation,” Mike whispered in Drew’s ear. “They’re somewhere in Switzerland, and he’s had a hell of a time getting in touch with them.”
Drew simply nodded. How could this be happening? Jordan and Keith were planning on getting married next year. They’d bought a home together. The two of them had figured out the secrets of love and a happy life.
A sob wrenched out of him, and Ash put his arm around him, pulling him close.
