AMBER
“Tucker overdosed in California. He’s in intensive care.” The words Caitlyn says make sense so much that I know what the words mean, but together, in that sentence, I can’t process what I’m hearing.
“I … I … erm … what?”
“Oh God, you’re going into shock. Don’t move. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right over.”
Caitlyn ends the call before I can even say goodbye, and as I place my phone down on the couch next to me, what she said suddenly starts sinking in.
Tucker overdosed. He’s in intensive care.
By the time Caitlyn arrives at my place, I’m a shaking, sobbing, pacing mess.
I throw the front door open before she’s even properly parked her car, and I race down the driveway to meet her.
“Tell me everything. Is he going to pull through? What happened?”
Caitlyn links her arm through mine and gently guides me back into the house. Once there, she gently pushes me down into the couch, then goes into the kitchen and makes a cup of chamomile tea.
She sits down next to me and doesn’t speak until I’ve drunk at least half the cup of tea. I’m feeling a little less shaky now, but I still feel like the whole world has been turned upside down.
“What happened?” I ask weakly.
“We don’t know the full details yet. Josh only just got the call from Ryan. The Braddocks are getting together to figure everything out. I thought you deserved to know.”
I offer my best friend a weak smile. “Thank you. I want to see him. What hospital is he at? I’ll book a flight to California right away. Would you mind--”
Caitlyn nods earnestly. “I knew you were going to want to see him, and I've already spoken with Josh. I’ll take care of everything here. Elsa, the kennels, everything. You just focus on getting to Tucker. And making sure you’re taking care of yourself and the baby, too, of course.
The last thing we need is you ending up in hospital too. ”
Even though I don’t know the full extent of what’s happened to Tucker, I know it won’t help him or his brothers if anything happens to me.
And honestly, as worried as I am over Tucker -- and believe me, I’m scared shitless -- my maternal instincts have been on overdrive since the ultrasound scan.
I won’t let anything bad happen to the baby.
“Thank you,” I say, squeezing Caitlyn’s hand.
My friend smiles. “That’s what family is for, and even if you weren’t having Tucker’s baby, you’ll always be my sister.”
Having Caitlyn by my side, lending me her strength gives me the courage to face everything that’s going on.
-----
We arrive at the airport and make our way to the gate for the flight, where the Braddock brothers are waiting.
Josh offers me a small smile as I approach, and then wraps his arms around Caitlyn. However, Tucker’s other brothers don’t seem as happy to see me.
“What’s she doing here?” Ryan demands.
He’s sporting a fading black eye, and I wonder what happened to cause it. Ryan Braddock does not seem like the type to get into brawls.
Either way, I’m not about to be cowed by Ryan. I don’t care how rich and powerful he is. He has no authority over me.
“I’m coming with you. I want to see Tucker. I need to know he’s okay.”
“This is a family matter,” Ryan grinds out.
“I am family, or hadn’t you heard? I’m having Tucker’s baby.”
None of the Braddocks look surprised, so I know Tucker must have already told his brothers, or at least some of them and then the news spread.
“As I told Tucker the day he left for California, the baby is better off without him. And you’re not needed here, Miss--”
“Henderson. Amber Henderson. And you better get used to seeing me around, because I’m going nowhere.”
I’m trying to remain strong, but inside my mind is whirling.
Tucker spoke to Ryan on the day he left for California?
Did they get into a fight and that’s why Ryan has a black eye?
Shit, and right after he and I had a fight too.
Tucker must have gone to California in the worst possible headspace.
No wonder he’s ended up in intensive care.
Guilt gnaws at my insides as I realize I’m partly responsible for putting Tucker there. I was only trying to do what I thought was best to protect me and my baby, but I can see now, I probably made everything so much worse.
Maybe Ryan is right, and I shouldn’t go to California.
I bow my head, and quietly walk over to Caitlyn and Joshua.
“I’m going to go back home.”
Caitlyn’s eyes almost pop out of her head “What? No. Don’t let Ryan frighten you off. If you want to be there, then be there. Right, Josh?”
She gazes up into the blue eyes of her boyfriend, who nods.
“Ryan is right,” I say. “This is family stuff. The last time I saw Tucker, things didn’t end well. The last thing he needs is me showing up uninvited.”
“You’re practically family,” Josh insists firmly. He leaves Caitlyn’s side, and strides over to Ryan.
“Amber is coming with us. If you have a problem with that, then it’s tough. She’s carrying Tucker’s baby -- your niece or nephew -- she deserves to be by his side.”
Ryan opens his mouth to speak, but Tucker’s other older brother -- Antony, I think? -- places a hand on Ryan’s shoulder.
Ryan doesn’t say anything else, and I take that as a sign he’s begrudgingly accepting me coming along.
I turn to Josh with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
Josh smiles back and reaches out to pull me into a hug.
“I meant it, you’re pretty much family now.
I don’t know what will happen with you and Tucker, but I want to be part of my niece or nephew’s life, and I want them to grow up knowing their cousin.
Even if you weren’t Caitlyn’s best friend, you’d have my support. ”
I get a warm tingling feeling inside knowing I have at least one of Tucker’s brothers on my side. Maybe on the long flight to California, I can try to win the others over.
----
The plane journey to California is exhausting. Who knew sitting in one place for so long could be so tiring? Joshua sits besides me, and I show him the ultrasound photo. He genuinely seems excited knowing he’s going to have another niece or nephew to add to the growing brood.
Through Josh I’m introduced to Sebastian, who is also a sweetheart. Even though he’s not as relaxed around me as Josh is, he’s still friendly and welcoming, and also seems happy to know I’m having Tucker’s baby.
Ryan and Antony say very little to me, and while they’re polite, I can feel the tension radiating from them. I get it. Their brother is fighting for his life, and there’s some random chick tagging along. But I wouldn’t be anywhere else.
Finally, we arrive in California, and though I’m exhausted and want nothing more than to collapse into my hotel room bed, I accompany the Braddocks to the hospital.
There, a very concerned doctor tells us that Tucker overdosed on a concoction of alcohol, Xanax, ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamine, and muscle-relaxers.
Holy fuck! What the hell was he thinking taking all of those at once? Actually, I don’t want to know.
Right now, the medical staff are doing all they can to make him stable, but until he wakes up, they won’t know the extent of the damage. If he’s lucky, he will be okay with just have a very bad hangover. If he isn’t lucky? Well, he could have brain damage.
I shudder all over at the thought of losing Tucker. My chest tightens painfully, and tears flow down my cheeks. Josh wraps his arms around me, but even as he comforts me, I can feel he is shaking too.
We all sit in a private waiting room in silence, until finally, the doctor who spoke to us when we arrived says we’re allowed to see Tucker.
“I must warn you, he’s in a bad way. He won’t look like himself, and he’s hooked up to various monitors and equipment. Prepare yourselves, as it won’t be easy.”
Thankfully, we’re all allowed in at the same time. I don’t think I could face going in alone, but I’d never expect Josh to come in with me, when he needs to be there to support his other brothers too.
Heads bowed, we all silently fill into the room, and the moment my gaze lands on Tucker, I suck in a sharp breath.
The doctor wasn’t kidding. I can barely see him due to the blanket, and all the wires.
All I can make out is his black hair contrasting against the crisp, white pillow.
The room is filled with the hum and beeps of various machines.
There’s an IV, a heart monitor and a ventilator, among other equipment I can’t identify.
I hang back as the Braddock brothers grab chairs and gather around Tucker’s bed. Josh glances over at me, grabs another seat, and positions it next to his.
We all sit silently, gathered around Tucker, too afraid to say or do anything.
Finally, Josh breaks the silence. He takes his brother’s hand and strokes it gently. “Hey, Tuck, it’s me Josh. You gotta pull through this, man. We need you. You’ve still got so much you need to do; you can’t leave us yet.”
Silently, I allow my tears to fall, as Tucker’s other brothers start speaking.
“Yeah, we won’t let Noah grow up without his favorite uncle. I heard you’re going to be a dad too. It’s the best feeling, so you gotta wakeup so you can be there for your kid.”
Antony leans in and strokes Tucker’s forehead. “Come on, Tucker. I know we don’t always get along, but you're my brother. I love you. I need you.”
The room falls silent again, and my gaze is magnetically drawn to Ryan. He’s sitting there in silence, his lips pressed together. I know he and Tucker have had their problems, but surely, he’s going to say something, right?
But Ryan just keeps on staring. His face is ghostly white, the only spot of color the fading black eye. His expression is blank, and I have no idea what he’s thinking. He doesn’t look scared, or angry, or anything really. There’s just nothing.
Finally, Ryan stands from his chair, and still not uttering a single word, he stalks from the room. Antony quickly follows his brother, but Joshua and Sebastian stay with me.
“Am I allowed to talk to him?” I ask, my voice hoarse.