CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
——
ERIKA
EVEN WITH AMBERLEE’S demand for me to stay away, I can’t. I made the appointment with the landlord of the rental property for a visit and I’m keeping it. Not only that, she’s in a dark place. She needs me even if she doesn’t want me around. Pulling up the drive, her car is there just as I expected. Dori’s is gone as I also expected. Whether Amberlee talked to Dori about the new place to rent or not, I don’t know. She hasn’t answered any of my calls today.
Opening the front door, I’m accosted by the sound of running water. I quickly run into the kitchen, stepping through a pool of water and turn off the faucet.
“Alee!”
She doesn’t call back. I head to her room to find her. When I open the door, I’m relieved to find her there asleep on her side.
“Alee, you left the sink running.”
She doesn’t stir, which is normal. She’s a heavy sleeper. Climbing across the bed, I join her. Rubbing her arm to wake her, my body tightens. Her skin feels cool and damp. With a shaky hand, I turn her toward me. Gagging, I fight back nausea when I see the blood and vomit spilled from her mouth across the pillow and blanket. Lifeless golden hazel eyes stare up at the ceiling. Hands trembling, I reach for my phone as my eyes become wet with tears.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“520 Lumont Street. My sister has overdosed.”
“I’m dispatching a paramedic to you now.”
Several questions later, I hang up, trembling, losing control, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. I hear the sirens in the distance and rush to the door to make sure it’s unlocked. Waving them in, I point them to her room. Collapsing on the floor, my head falls into my arms as I listen to them administer medical attention. Moments later, she’s rushed to the ambulance on a stretcher.
The ambulance pulls out and I hurry to Dominic’s Camaro. With my trembling hands, I’m unable to start the car. The keys drop, and I completely break down, sobbing into the steering wheel. Forcing slow deep breaths, I lift the phone and dial my mother.
“It better be important.”
“Alee, the ambulance took her to the hospital. She overdosed.”
The line goes silent for several beats.
“I’ll get off work. I’ll be there.” I can hear the fear in her tone.
My next call is to Dom, but it goes to voicemail.
“I’m going to the hospital. Alee overdosed. Please call me as soon as you can. I need you.”
With more slow, deep breaths, I collect my composure enough to drive. Fear is a tight ball in my gut the entire way to the hospital. The image of Amberlee lingers in my mind, plaguing me, churning the nausea in my stomach with the memory.
Pulling into the emergency parking area, I run inside. I’m the first to get there, I don’t see my mother. A nurse pulls me aside and the look on her face begins the horrific conversation that comes next.
Amberlee is dead. Dead on arrival.
The next moments are a blur. I don’t remember much of the people who spoke to me, what they said, or what I said in return. All I remember is minutes later seeing Dominic walk through the sliding glass doors and his muscular figure lifting me into his arms.
***
“Erika.”
My swollen eyes blink a couple times before Dominic comes into focus. We’re at his house, on his couch. I’m in his arms. The memories come rushing back and I sob against his chest.
“She’s gone.”
Holding me tight against him, he kisses my head.
“I know, baby. I’m so sorry.”
“Will you take me to my old house? I want to see Dori and…”
“Alee isn’t there.”
More sobs break free. “I don’t want to accept it. I want to go over there. I want to talk to her, to hug her. Dom, I can’t. I can’t do this. I’m not strong like you are.”
Putting my face in both his hands, he looks me in the eyes, his own full of pain. “Yes, you are. Don’t ever doubt that. I know you’re hurting. I’ve been there. I’ve felt every agonizing pain you’re feeling now. I’ll be here for you. I’ll listen. I’ll hold you. You will get through it. The pain will lessen, but you’ll remember her. Always remember her.”
Gently bringing my face to his, he kisses me tenderly. So soft, so caringly, my tears of grief mix with tears of appreciation.
More composed, I put my hand in his as his free hand rubs along my arm and back.
“It happened so fast. I’m still—”
“In shock.”
“Yes. I don’t want to accept she won’t be at home when I go over there. I want her to be there. I want to talk to her. I want to hug her. I want to fix her and make her better.”
“I know. It’s the hardest part.”
“How did you do it?”
“I shut myself off from feeling. I fucked, drank, fought, rode for hours, maybe days. It’s all a blur. I don’t want to see you do that. I want you to come to me when you need me.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Firm hand caressing me, he soothes me with his touch. “I’ll be here for you. Whatever you need.”
My head drops to his. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“No, baby, it’s me who’s a lucky bastard.”
With his kiss, my tense shoulders lower.
“I need to help Dori. Help her make arrangements,” I struggle to say. “I’m not sure I’ll make it to the fight tonight.”
“It’s all right if you can’t. Either way, I’m teaching those fuckers a lesson.”
“I want to be there.” A single tear trickles down my cheek. “I want to see them suffer the way they made her suffer.”