Page 143 of Capturing Love

My stomach dropped. Grayson clearly wasn’t as invested in Maude as I thought he was. Or me.

Melanie smirked. “They’re probably out celebrating right now.”

“No doubt,” I muttered through clenched teeth.

“It’s a shame. I really like Maude…but working there was such a fucking drag.” A flicker of regret passed over her expression, although it was gone in an instant. “I’m gonna go dance,” she announced, already bouncing to the beat. “You should probably drink some water.”

As she slipped into the crowd, I was left to fester in her revelations. My temperature rose with my anger as I thought about how much my life had been turned upside by these people.

All I wanted to do was go home, but my racing heart and weighted legs prevented me from leaving. Too lightheaded to keep standing, I staggered over to an empty bench seat. What is wrong with me? Is this what a panic attack feels like?

I rubbed my temples as I glanced down at my phone, trying to figure out how much time had passed since Adam texted me.

Three songs later, I was struggling to hold myself up.

“Where is she?” The words hit me like a truck and my eyelids fluttered, trying to focus on the figure in front of me. Adam’s lips fell in and out of focus as he spoke. “Where’s Melanie?”

I gazed off into the sea of bodies, all bobbing in slow motion. “I…I don’t know.”

Adam growled and stormed off into the crowd.

Grayson appeared in front of me, staring intensely into my eyes. “What’s wrong with you? Have you been drinking?”

“I…I only had one,” I mumbled.

The room began to sway until Grayson’s hands found mine, drawing my focus. “Josie…I’m going to get you some water.”

I clenched his hands in desperation. “No, please don’t leave me.”

“It won’t take long.” He pried my fingers off, leaving me petrified and alone, pulling me into a distant memory of the moment my father’s life support was turned off.

Returning with a bottle of water, he brought it to my trembling lips. “Have you eaten today?”

As I shook my head, Adam reappeared with Melanie trailing behind.

“Did you give her something?” Grayson snapped at Melanie as she stumbled up beside him.

“Not on purpose!” she said, with a chuckle. “That drink was meant for me.”

Grayson’s fiery gaze tapered in on her, making her squirm. “What was in it?”

“Just a little Molly. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“It’s a fucking big deal!” Kneeling in front of me, he placing his hands on my forehead and cheek. “Adam, she’s on fire. We need to get her to the hospital.”

“I’ll get the car ready,” he replied instantly, already dragging Melanie away.

While drowning in perspiration and tears, my hands climbed up to Grayson’s unshaven face and pulled him close. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Gray. I’m scared.”

“It’s going to be okay, you just need to stay with me.” Grayson gave me a little shake to keep me alert, but it was no use.

My eyes rolled back into my head and I felt my body rise into the air.

* * *

Lenny, my next of kin, sat quietly at my bedside, staring out the window. My eyes fluttered open moments before his worried gaze travelled back to where I lay.

“Oh, Josie girl, thank god.” He leant forward and took my hand, touching his head and chest in a cross formation.