Page 113 of Ridin' True

“Oh. Shit. Okay. It’s a little nuts. That one doesn’t ring a bell, but I’ll find him. I’ll figure out what’s going on. What’s his name?”

“Alejandro.”

“Okay. Stay here.”

She gave my shoulder a squeeze, and then she was gone. When I looked back at Felix, he was headed our way.

“Hey,” he muttered cautiously.

“What happened?” I demanded to know.

“Alexia!”

I turned toward the entrance, letting go of Jed as Bella rushed toward me. I folded her into my arms, making room for mami when she reached us, and we all cried together as if the fear we felt when we first heard the news had reared its ugly head again. I wanted to believe it was all going to be okay—that Alejo would be okay—but I didn’t dare speak the words aloud. I couldn’t make those kinds of promises. Much as I wanted to, when it came to Alejandro, I knew better.

“Lex,” murmured Jed, beckoning my attention. He ran a hand over my hair and gently squeezed the back of my neck. I sniffled as I looked back at him. “Jenna,” he told me.

With a gasp, I let go of my family and turned in search of my friend. She hugged a tablet against her chest, and she wore a forced smile when she looked at me. I held my breath, afraid of what she might say.

“He’s breathing.”

“He’s okay?” asked mami.

Jenna shook her head and replied honestly, “ThatI can’t say. He’s alive, and he’s being treated, but he’s not out of the woods yet.”

“Can we see him?” I asked.

“They’re still working on him. It’ll be another few minutes. If you head to the waiting room, I’ll come get you as soon as I can.”

I nodded, even thoughwaitingwas the last thing I wanted to do. I glanced at Felix, still wishing to know what happened, but Ellie was clinging to his leg, looking just as scared as I felt. I couldn’t demand answers now. It appearedwaitingwas the only option any of us had.

Itwasgettinglate.In another thirty minutes, visiting hours would be over. Alejandro had been moved into his own room. He hadn’t woken up yet, but he’d been admitted into the psychiatric ward. As soon as he opened his eyes, he’d be on suicide watch. None of us thought the overdose was on purpose—but none of us were Alejo.

Felix took Bella and Ellie home around eight, so Ellie could go to sleep in a real bed. An hour later, mami was the next to go. She didn’t want to, but she knew she couldn’t stay all night. She planned on showing up to the first mass early the next morning before returning to Alejandro’s side. I planned on staying until they kicked me out.

“I’m gonna go do a lap. You want anything?” asked Jed as he stood.

“No. Thank you.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss into my hair before he left to stretch his legs, and I watched him go—more in the love with him then than I was that morning. I told him hours ago he didn’t have to stay, but he didn’t listen, and I was really glad he hadn’t.

For the first time since we arrived, I was alone with my other half. I’d been battling my emotions all afternoon, feeling just as scared as I was angry. I wanted him to wake up, so I could give him a piece of my mind. Not sure if I’d get my chance that night, I decided on a practice round.

With a sigh, I propped myself up on my forearms against the side of his bed. “I’m so mad at you, it almost makes my skin crawl,” I said. “But I love you so much, I’ve already forgiven you.”

“You mean that?” he mumbled in return.

I gasped as I stood to my feet, reaching for his nearest hand. “Alejo?”

“Where am I?” he asked, blinking his eyes open.

“At the hospital,” I muttered, my tears starting up again. “You overdosed.”

His hand flinched in mine as he knit his eyebrows together, and he looked away from me in response.

“Alejo—look at me.” It took him a few seconds, but when he lifted his gaze to find mine, I told him, “This was it. This was the last time, do you hear me? No more drugs. I mean it. You can’t do this to me again,” I demanded, my tears falling faster now.

I had hours to think of what I would say in this very moment. Still, it was harder to get out than I imagined.