Page 25 of Hard to Break

The doctor shakes his head. “Without labs, I can’t say for sure. But you can go in and see him. He’s conscious but not at full alertness.”

I don’t wait for him to tell me twice.

Miles is in the hospital bed, his feet sticking over the edge and his face unusually pale. I lean over the side, grabbing his hand in two of mine.

“Miles.”

His eyes crack when I say his name. “Hey, Princess,” he croaks. “What happened? I feel terrible.”

I absently stroke his palm with my thumb.

“You don’t remember?”

His head moves back and forth but barely, as if the effort costs him.

Did Mr. Garrett ingest any other substances?

I clear my throat. “You passed out. One moment you were talking to Hawkins, the next, you collapsed. The doctors are still running tests, but they’re wondering if it wasn’t only the alcohol.”

His eyes close, from fatigue or because he’s thinking it over. “Anyone notice?”

“Probably not,” I lie. “Everyone had their own thing going on.”

There was more than one phone out as the paramedics came in, but I don’t want him worrying about that right now.

“But,” I continue, “Jay’s outside. Clay too. They want to make sure you’re okay.”

Miles nods and clears his throat. “Fuck, I’m thirsty. Is there any?—”

“I’ll get you a drink. Don’t go anywhere.”

His hand grabs my arm, but his grip is weak. “If you’re going to take care of me, can you wait until I’m sure I’ll remember it?”

“Absolutely not,” I say, then brush my lips over his and straighten. I go to the nursing station outside the room. “Water?”

They go to fetch some.

“How is he?” Clay asks.

“What the hell happened?” Jay choruses.

I shake my head. “They think…” I swallow and look around to ensure no one can overhear. “They think he was drugged.”

“That he was drugged or that hetookdrugs?”

My brother speaks with a tired urgency I don’t recognize.

“The first. Obviously,” I say, though I can’t remember exactly what they said.

They exchange a look. “Let’s go in and see him.”

I watch them head in to see their friend and teammate before pressing a hand against my face.

Fuck.

I should have known something was wrong with him earlier.

Miles was having too much fun to realize. If only I’d noticed…

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