Page 44 of Draven

More silence follows, so I leave her to her thoughts. For someone who likes to talk, a lot, her quiet reflection sounds louder than any conversation—compared to the roaring inside my own mind.

An hour later, a doctor appears and makes his way over to the waiting area. My chest tightens at his solemn expression. This doesn’t look good.

Louise shoots to her feet.

“Miss Rhodes?”

“Yes.” Her knuckles are white as she clenches her fists.

“Can you come with me, please?”

“My sister… is she… is she?” She trails off.

“Why don’t we go in here.” The doctor indicates to a door a few feet away that has ‘Family Room’ engraved on a brass plate.

She juts out her chin. “Just tell me, doctor.”

The doc’s gaze drifts to me, then back to her. “I do think it would be best if we went in here. Please.”

He walks away giving her little option other than to follow. This isn’t good news. If it was, he’d have told her in the waiting area.

“Will you come with me?” Her voice trembles, revealing how scared she is.

“Of course.”

Once inside the room, the doctor urges her to sit, taking the seat beside her while I remain standing.

He doesn’t mince his words. “I’m so sorry, Miss Rhodes. Your sister had a lethal combination of drugs in her system and, unfortunately, we were unable to save her.”

The air stills, as if we’re in the eye of a tornado where everything is calm and whisper quiet.

“No.” Her voice is whisper quiet. “No, that can’t be right. Please, keep trying. You have to save her. You have to. She’s my anchor.”

“I’m afraid she’s gone. I really am terribly sorry for your loss.”

A sob bursts from her throat, and I wince at the sound, at the pain carried along every note. She presses her palms to her face. “No.”

The doctor rises, and I slide into his seat. When he exits the family room, Louise collapses into my arms. I lose track of how long we sit there. I don’t speak, just do my best to comfort her. It’s not something I’m all that good at. Ciaran would be much better at this. Then again, if he was here and tried to comfort my girl, I’d punch him in the throat, best friend or not.

The door to the family room opens again, and a couple in their mid-fifties enter. I guess it’s Louise’s parents, which is confirmed when the woman says, “Lola.”

Louise’s head snaps up, and she rips herself out of my arms and launches herself at her parents.

“Lola, what’s happened?” Her mother captures her cheeks, her thumbs wiping away Louise’s tears. “Where’s Kiera? What’s happened?”

“Oh, Mom, Dad. She’s… she’s…” Another strangled sob shatters the air. “Oh, Mom. She’s gone.”

“What do you mean, gone?”

My strong, beautiful woman breaks down in front of my eyes. She sinks to her knees, her entire body wracked with the kind of grief I can only imagine. It’s agonizing to watch, but I do. It’s the least I owe her. Both her parents lift her up, and they surround her in their love, all three quietly crying together. I’m almost jealous they’re the ones who get to comfort her. I wish it was me. I’m also aware just how much of an asshole that makes me, although that’s not exactly news. I am an asshole, but she makes me less of one.

Collecting herself, Louise breaks free of her parents. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m sorry I couldn’t save her.”

“Oh, my baby.” Her mom hugs her again. “I want to see her. Can we see her?”

“I’ll find someone.” Her dad’s voice is rough as sandpaper.

“We’ll all go.” The three of them walk away.

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