“Any news?” Stacey asks. I shake my head.
“I’m so worried. What happens if something …?” I choke on my words.
“Hey, nothing is going to happen. He is in safe hands,” Stacey says, reassuring me.
We may not be together anymore, but that doesn’t mean I want something to happen to him. I still care for Chance. I want him to be happy and healthy. I also want him to find inner peace as hippy dippy as that sounds because if he doesn’t find it, he will never be happy.
The guys go in search of more information, and when the staff realizes who is here, we are whisked away to a private room, where moments later a doctor arrives.
“I’m Dr. Lombardi, and I’m looking after your friend. He had a close call, but we were able to get the drugs out of his system.” The doctor glares at us all. “I understand that your lifestyle might include this kind of thing but I would suggest that you find your highs elsewhere.” Think that warning has been heard loud and clear by everyone. “He’s been moved to a private room in the ward and is sleeping. I would suggest you all head home and come back during visiting hours. A nurse will be in with the ward details in a moment. Any questions?”
“Is there any permanent damage?” Blake asks.
“No. But if he continues down this path there will be. He got lucky. Whoever performed CPR on him saved his life. Not sure if he will be so lucky a second time,” the doctor says harshly. My stomach sinks and turns at the thought. “Might I suggest looking at getting him into a facility, if this wasn’t a wakeup call for him or for all of you?” the doctor states before disappearing out ofthe room. Blake slumps in a chair as do Johnny and Tyler, right beside him.
“You think Chance needs rehab?” Finn asks the guys.
“Didn’t think he was partying more than normal, but I’ve kind of been spending my time with Charlotte,” Blake says softly, the guilt eating him away.
“It’s not your fault, we didn’t notice either. I think he’s good at hiding things,” Tyler says, then his eyes meet mine, making me flinch. Does Tyler know about Chance and me? Blake said only he knew Chance’s secret.
“His family fucked him up. This is their fault. I knew he shouldn’t have gone back. I tell him he needs to cut those fucking bastards out of his life. They don’t want him, but they sure as hell love his money.” Johnny sneers.
“Does he need help?” Oscar asks. The guys all look at each other. “We can help him. If you don’t think he is doing well, we will try to get him the help he deserves.”
“I think we should,” Johnny tells Blake.
“What happens if that makes things worse?” He looks at his friend, and the heartbreak and worry is etched on his handsome face.
“Can’t get worse than where he is now,” Johnny adds.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a drug problem, but he does have problems, you can’t deny that,” Tyler implores Blake.
“I know,” Blake says, sounding exhausted and hopeless. He then looks up at Oscar and Finn. “Do whatever you need to, please.”
Blake messages me, letting me know that visiting hours at the hospital were open and where Chance is, so I hightail it overthere and nervously walk into the hospital room. Walking in, I see a pale Chance playing on his phone.
“Hey,” I greet him. Chance looks up, and those green eyes widen in surprise. Then I stupidly burst into tears. “You fucking scared us,” I tell him.
“I’m sorry, D.”
“So, you fucking should be. Don’t you dare do something that stupid ever again,” I tell him. I’m not meaning to yell at him, but I got no sleep last night, worried sick out of my mind about him.
“It scared me, D,” he answers quietly. My heart bleeds for him as I rush over and pull him into a hug. He stiffens at first and then relents and hugs me tightly. “I’m so sorry.” He cries.
“Me too.” We hold each other. “You are loved, Chance. Don’t you dare ever think otherwise.” He nods. “What happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Chance states, shutting down. I’ve touched upon something there, and I won’t dare to push it, not while he is still so fragile.
“How do you feel?”
“Not great, but I’m thankful to be alive.”
“So am I,” I say, reaching out and linking our fingers together.
“You are?” He seems surprised.
“Yes. We are friends. And I care about my friends. You know you can always count on me, don’t you?”
