Page 94 of Always

I take a sip.

I keep my eyes on the door, every now and then glancing at my phone that lies motionless on the counter. My mind races, filled with images of Skye and Tessa’s haunted eyes. The sip from my glass burns its way down my throat.

The din of the restaurant fades into a hum, and Sinatra’s velvety vocals wrap me in a cocoon of melancholy.

A sudden laughter and clinking of glasses pull me back from my thoughts, jarring my senses. A group of revelers on the far side of the bar are celebrating something. I chase away my grim thoughts with another gulp of Wild Turkey.

My phone screen lights up. It’s Skye.

Sooner than I anticipated.

“Hi, Skye,” I say into the phone.

“Hey,” she says, her voice breathless. “Tessa has passed out, and I’m afraid she might have done some drugs or something.”

I shouldn’t have left. I should have stayed. I knew Tessa was in trouble. I down the last of my drink. “I’m on my way.”

“I may not be here. We called 911.”

“We? Who’s we?”

“Addie. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when you get here.”

“Addie?” I nearly snarl. What the hell is Addie doing there? But I know the answer. She’s stalking me. Stalking Skye. It’s what she fucking does. “I might have known.”

“Known what?” Skye asks.

“I can’t explain now. I’m heading to Tessa’s. If the ambulance gets there before I do, text me where you’re going.”

I arrive back at Tessa’s just as the paramedics are getting her onto a stretcher.

“Where are you taking her?” Skye asks. “Can I ride in the ambulance?”

“Mass General,” one of the EMTs says. “You family?”

Skye shakes her head. “Friend.”

“I suppose so, if there’s no one else.”

I step forward and take Skye’s arm. “I’ll drive her.”

The EMT nods.

I move Skye away from the chaos, and—

Then I see her.

Addison Ames.

Addie is still here.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, gesturing to her.

Addie doesn’t reply.

“It’s okay,” Skye tells me. “She actually helped me.”

“I’m here now,” I say to Addie. “Stay here. I’ll call a cab from my car to take you home.”

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