Page 106 of Miss Trust

“A sleeping pill and a painkiller.”

Not a good combo. “Kelsey. Wake up, honey. How many did you take?”

“A few. I just want to sleep.”

I looked at my friend. “We need to call nine-one-one.”

Daisy nodded and dialed the number on the landline. Ten minutes later, we greeted the ambulance.

I rode in the back with Kelsey, holding her hand and trembling from concern. Please let her be okay. Dialing Chance then was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

“I have her. We’re in the ambulance.”

“Ambulance. What’s happening?” His worry was palpable.

“We’re heading to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. She took a combo of sleeping pills and a painkiller. We don’t know how many of each, so we’re taking her into the hospital as a precaution.”

He muttered a curse, and I knew how helpless he must have felt.

“She’s going to be okay, Chance.” I hoped I was right.

“I’m still an hour out. Just, um, will you tell her I love her? Tell her—” His voice broke, illustrating the magnitude of his fear.

I felt a tear run down my face. “I will. I’ll tell her you’re on your way. And I’ll call you once I have another update.”

Once we arrived, Kelsey was offloaded into the ER while Daisy and I were sent to wait for the doctors in the visitor’s lounge. I sent text messages to both Chance and Reid telling them we were here. I also sent one to Mona, who already knew what was going on as she said she could stay as late as it took to watch Penny.

When Chance walked in an hour later, I stood up and took a deep breath when I saw the sheer devastation on his face. He didn’t hesitate, striding straight towards me and hugging me with a fierceness which could only have come from fear. He pulled back, emotion etched across his face. “Thank you for getting to her.”

Dammit. Now my tears were forming. We all turned when the doctor came in and updated us on the situation.

“There were ten missing pills from the one bottle, and twelve from the other, but they aren’t new prescriptions, and she’s not conscious enough to tell us how many she took. Out of an abundance of caution, and because of her low blood pressure and the mixing of narcotics, we’re pumping her stomach and putting charcoal down to absorb anything left over. We will let you know once she’s stable and you can see her.”

Chance took a seat in the visitor’s chair and dialed Reid. His voice was low and full of emotion. I turned to Malik, who’d entered a few minutes after Chance. “Daisy and I should go.”

He shook his head. “You should stay for him.”

My eyes flicked over to the man I loved. How did I offer comfort to the person who’d broken my heart? “Okay, I’ll stay, but only until Reid gets here.”

I took a seat, stowing all of my emotions. This was especially hard to do when Chance sat beside me and wordlessly took my hand. I’d be here for him because I knew he’d do the same if the situations were reversed and it were my sister in the ER. For now, I determined to let go of all the issues between us.

Over an hour later, the doctor came out, causing us all to stand up. “She’s awake and asking for a Tory.”

I shook my head. “I’m Tory, but surely she wants to see Chance first.”

The doctor shifted his feet. “She asked to see you first.”

Daisy offered, “Probably because you found her.”

“Okay. I won’t be long.” I had to avoid looking at Chance. He had to be hurt Kelsey was asking for a virtual stranger before him.

I walked into the hospital room, not knowing what to expect. Kelsey appeared small and fragile in the bed.

“I’m so humiliated,” she whispered, tears running down her pretty face.

“Don’t be. Of all things, please don’t be humiliated. I don’t know you, Kelsey, but please believe this about me. I don’t judge. And I’m here for you.”

“Thank you. I just don’t want him to know.”