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“What? You want me to leave so you can take over?” he asks with a sneer.
I look behind him where Tegan’s collapsed on the floor. “Did you give her something? She’s in no state to consent to anything! “
“Yeah? You sure about that. If it’s such a big deal, you have a go, be my guest, plenty more like her around.”
Fucking bastard.A split-second later, my fist collides with Tomas’s face; he steps to one side, laughing at me. “That’s a pretty pathetic punch.” He wipes the blood from beneath his nose. “I’m going before I’m tempted to thump you back.”
I’m torn. Deal with him or help Tegan?
I shove Tomas out of the way and storm into the room, slamming the door behind. I have no proof about the drink spiking, but something’s off. At least he hasn’t assaulted her; if this is drugs, she needs help.
“Tegan,” I say softly and kneel on the floor next to her crumpled figure.
She opens her eyes and mumbles, “I shouldn’t feel like this.”
“I know. Let me help you up.”
Tegan’s eyes flutter closed again. Sliding my arms under her, I lift Tegan to her feet; but she can’t stand. Her head lolls against my shoulder and my anger grows. This beautiful, smart girl almost ended up assaulted by some dickhead, and it’s partly my fault.
Although Tegan is light, her heavy unconsciousness is obvious as I head toward the suite bedroom. When I place her on the plushly furnished bed, Tegan immediately sits and stares at me in confusion.
“Jax?”
“It’s all right. You’re fine.”
She looks at the bed and at me. “Did I ask you here? What’s happening?” she slurs. When she checks her clothes, my stomach turns over. That’s not me. I don’t do that.
“Don’t you remember what happened?”
She rubs a hand across her face and sinks back again. “No. Really tired, Jax.”
What do I do? I pull my phone out and try several people — Nate, Will, random numbers of tour management that I have. No answer.
Ruby? No, it’s midnight. She’d be pissed off with me; and if Jem smells the drugs from the party, I’m fucked.
Can I leave Tegan and find somebody to help? I grip my hair.Think.Shit, I wish I was sober; my brain won’t work. I’ve been around stoned chicks before, some taking similar shit to what I think Tegan’s been given, and they were okay. How did this happen to her? She’s not a naïve kid. Tegan’s travelled and kept herself safe. I stand, ready to leave and find Bryn, until Tegan sits again.
“Jax. What’s going on?”
Fuck, she has no idea. What if I leave Tegan and she stumbles off somewhere?
She attempts to stand and slumps again.
“I’m not sure. I’m going to find somebody to help, Tegan. I don’t know how to help you.”
“No. Don’t go. I don’t know what’s happening.” To my alarm, tears well in her eyes.
“I think your drink was spiked.”
Tegan stares past me then sinks back down and turns to her side, curling up on the sheets, saying nothing. Her breathing deepens as I perch on the edge of the bed and wait for her response.
I want to lie next to Tegan, to hold her and make sure she’s okay. Be there when she wakes up again and look after her. I half-laugh at myself; the idea of Tegan and me in bed wasn’t like this. I stroke Tegan’s long, dark hair from her pale face and kiss her cheek. Suddenly, I understand Bryn’s overwhelming need to protect Tegan. The idea of anything or anybody hurting this girl sickens me.
“I’m going to sort this out,” I whisper. “I’ll be right back.”
I don’t know how I can, but there has to be somebody nearby who’s sober enough to help. I fold the bedding from the other half of the large bed across Tegan and with one final glance, head to the hotel door.
Who else can I call? I uselessly scroll through contacts on my phone as I open Tegan’s door and step out.
