Page 100 of Bonding the Band

“What drug did she take to cause this?”

“She doesn’t take drugs. She’s got a doula who does all her prenatal stuff, but that’s it.”

We were still standing in the waiting room at the hospital. When we had arrived, hot on the heels of the ambulance, they had refused to allow us in the room with Meadow, leaving us, Clover, and Hendrix pacing the waiting room, desperately waiting for any news.

We were still in our concert clothes, and the people milling around the room kept glancing our way. At one point, I heardHard Knot Lifemuttered under someone’s breath.

Wonderful.

There were times, like now, I really disliked fame. Couldn’t even have a crisis in peace.

We paced the waiting room for twenty-seven agonizing minutes, desperately anticipating even the smallest fragment ofinformation on the state of our omega, before a nurse finally stormed toward us from the triage bay.

What if something was wrong with the baby? That was something I couldn’t allow my mind to linger on.

The others jumped out of their chairs, rushing over to hear the news.

Only, she wasn’t giving me news.

“You’re not being honest with me,” the nurse growled, her hands on her hips. “We’ve ruled out any pregnancy complications and several other potential issues. All her symptoms are pointing to drug-related issues.”

“Meadow doesn’t do drugs,” I insisted.

The nurse glowered at us. “I know who you are. Rock stars aren’t exactly known for their healthy lifestyle. She could get access to anything.”

“Meadow’s clean. She’spregnant,”I snapped icily. I didn’t like what she was implying. Not one bit.

“Was she in close proximity to someone who was using drugs?” she asked.

Hendrix spoke up behind me. “I’m her bond mate. I…uh…I used to take a lot before Meadow got pregnant, but I’ve been sober ever since we figured out it affected her. I didn’t want her to feel any of that shit through the bond.”

The nurse looked him up and down, clearly not believing a word. “In that case, I suppose you would be willing to take a drug test?”

“Just give me a cup and I’ll pee in it.” He nodded confidently.

The nurse jerked her head, turning to get the attention of another nurse, waving her over. “Can you take this gentleman for a comprehensive urine test?”

“Of course.” She smiled, gesturing toward the doors while talking to Hendrix. “If you want to follow me through these doors, one of our male nurses will take you through the test.”

He followed without hesitation, not at all concerned that some random guy was about to watch him pee in a cup.

Once his back disappeared through the door, quickly followed by the nurse, I turned to Phin. “You don’t think…”

Phin blinked at me. “Don’t think what?”

“That’s he’s been taking something. He’s been awfully perky lately.” I didn’t want to believe that. My stomach ached with the possibility.

“He would never do that to Meadow, surely?” He frowned. “I refuse to believe it.”

Our worst fears were confirmed only minutes later when the doctor came out, stern-faced. He ushered me into a quiet corner before speaking.

“My nurses said you have no idea what Miss Reed took?”

I shook my head, repeating exactly what I’d told the nurse.

“There’s no easy way to say this. We did a full blood panel on her and rushed the results. There were narcotics in her system. Strong ones.”

My body turned to ice as I tried to comprehend what he had just said. There was no way Meadow would willingly take narcotics, especially while pregnant. She felt guilty if she drank so much as a cup of coffee while pregnant.

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