Page 116 of Ethan

"What happened?"

"You overdosed," Claire said then looked at me. "You know him?"

"Yeah, from the homeless shelter." I gripped Lucas' shoulder. "What are you doing out here?"

"Wanted to see you. I got into treatment."

"So, you came all the way here and used outside my shop?"

"One last ride."

I gripped his arm. "Jeezus, Lucas. You scared the shit out of me. I thought you were dead."

He gave me a yellow smile. "Nah. Overdosed plenty of times. I'm hard to kill."

I heard the ambulance in the distance. When it pulled up, I was disconnected from the emergency operator. The attendants were efficient. They must have to do this multiple times a week. Needing him, I phoned Daniel as they set Lucas up with oxygen in the ambulance.

I never phoned Daniel this early in the morning.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"Lucas overdosed … right outside my backdoor by the dumpster."

"Is he all right?"

"Claire gave him Narcan. Brought him out of it. The ambulance is here."

"Are you going to the hospital with him?"

"I'd like to. Do you mind meeting me there? I'm freaking out. It was too close."

"Royal Jubilee?"

"I'll text you if not."

"Stay strong, okay. Maybe phone your friend Vincent at Our Place. Let him know."

"Good idea."

"Babe, I love you."

"Love you too."

"He's going to be all right. He's in good hands now. He was lucky you two were there."

"He was here to see me, Daniel. Probably walked all the way from downtown to tell me he's been accepted into a drug treatment facility."

"You're important to him. You've always been kind to him."

I sighed. "I feel like crying."

Claire was talking to an ambulance attendant and pointing at me. He shook his head. I was going to have to drive myself to the hospital. I needed to calm down.

Adrenaline was flying around my body.

"I'll meet you at the hospital," Daniel said. "You can do this."

We exchanged more words of love, and then ended the call. I needed to be strong for Lucas. I could do that for him. He needed to know someone cared for him.

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