Without You (Love Wanted in Texas #1) 25

I stepped forward. “What about me?”

The nurse looked at me with sympathetic eyes. “You are?”

“Her fiancé, Will Hayes.”

Libby gasped, and Luke turned and looked at me.

“Mr. Hayes, I can’t allow you to go back there yet. Give me just a few minutes. Mr. Johnson, please follow me.”

Luke said, “Fuck, if I had known, I would have had you—”

I slowly shook my head. “Go. Just find out how she is.”

I watched as Luke followed the nurse through the double doors. My legs felt like they were going to give out.

“Will, let’s go sit down, okay?” Libby guided me over to the waiting room. She pulled out her phone. “Colt is almost here. He can’t get a hold of his parents or Mom or Dad. They all went to some ranch in west Texas. They must not have a signal out there. Jeff and Ari are on their way.”

I nodded my head. “What in the fuck happened, Libby? Grace could hardly talk on the phone.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. Grace was in a state of panic when she called. She kept saying it was all her fault. I don’t know, Will.”

We sat in silence until Luke cleared his throat. He was about to start talking when Colt, Lauren, and Taylor ran up. Meagan had sent a text saying she was on her way from Baylor.

“Where’s Alex? What’s going on?” Colt looked around to each of us.

Luke put his hand on Colt’s shoulder. “She’s okay, Colt. Take a deep breath, dude, and sit down. I was just with Grace, and the doctor came to talk to us.”

Colt sat down, and Lauren sat next to him. I couldn’t help but notice that Colt reached for Lauren’s hand when Luke started talking. She held it and wiped a tear away with her other hand.

“They were at a party. Someone must have given Alex something to drink with Rohypnol in it.”

“Oh God, no,” Libby whispered.

Taylor and Lauren both started crying. My heart was beating so hard and fast in my chest that it almost drowned out Luke’s words.

Luke cleared his throat. “She wasn’t raped.”

Libby let out a sigh and said, “Thank you, God.”

I shook my head. “Raped? Someone tried to rape her?” I felt sick to my stomach.

“They were at some girl named Chrissie’s brother’s house. Grace said she noticed that Alex had disappeared, so Grace began looking for her. Grace walked up to Chrissie and asked her where Alex was. She said Chrissie started acting funny and started frantically looking around. Then, she just blurted out that Blake had promised to get her into some sorority if she slipped something in Alex’s drink. Chrissie admitted that she did it, and then she told Grace where Blake had taken Alex. I guess Chrissie’s brother was standing there, and he and Grace ran upstairs. Grace said she heard Alex screaming out her name, and Chrissie’s brother kicked open the door. Right as it opened…um…”

I looked at Luke. Anger along with tears filled his eyes. I looked at Colt, who had already been crying.

I slowly glanced back to Luke. “What? Just tell us.”

Luke looked down. “Grace said Alex asked her to help her, and then Blake punched Alex. She hasn’t woken up yet.”

Colt and I stood up.

“That motherfucker. I’m going to kill him,” I said.

“What about Alex?” Colt asked.

“The doctor said they drew blood and pumped Alex’s stomach. After Grace explained to them what happened, they’re certain that Alex was drugged.”

“Has anyone called the police?” Libby asked.

“Yes, they were called. I’m going to be honest with you, Will and Colt. I know where the fucker is. He’s still at the party, and Grace gave me the address and said the brother wasn’t letting Blake go until the police get there.”

Libby jumped up. “No! Luke…” She turned to Colt and me. “Will, Colt, don’t do this. Do not do this, please.”

I looked at my sister. “I love you, Libby.” I kissed her on the forehead. “Where is he?” I asked Luke.

Libby began crying as she turned to Luke and put her hands on his chest. “Please. Please don’t do this, Luke. I know you’re angry, but please don’t go. I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.” She turned to look at Colt and me. “Or any of you getting hurt. Don’t do this.”

Lauren walked up and said, “I disagree. Go teach that asshole a lesson.”

“No! Oh my God, Lauren!” Libby stepped in front of me. “Don’t. Do. This. I understand you’re angry, Will. I am, too. Let the police take care of it. What would Dad tell you to do, Will?”