“Audrey?” I called her name to confirm.
“Yes. It’s me. I tried calling Mercy first, but he wasn’t picking up either. I don’t know what to do.”
Her voice began to panic, which sent my covers flying off my legs as I kicked them onto the floor.
“Talk to me. What’s going on?” I was in my closet, searching for clothes to throw on by the time she started talking.
“We were out at the club, and I think Lovie got drugged or something. She won’t stay awake. I’m trying to get her to the car, but she’s basically dead weight, and I don’t feel safe because I’m pretty sure there’s a man following us.”
My heart began to race for multiple reasons. I was worried about Lovie and pissed that a nigga would take advantage of them.
“Stay on the phone and go back inside. I’m coming.”
“Okay. We’re at Seven.”
I moved in record time, getting dressed and out of my bedroom. I made a pit stop at my safe to grab the Ruger I kept in there for protection. I didn’t have a reason to use it until now, and if a nigga laid one finger on them, I was emptying the clip then turning myself in.
I raced through the city in my white Dodge Challenger, driving like an expert, even though I didn’t do it often. In ten minutes, I was pulling up in front of Seven. Long strides carried me to the door quickly. I pulled it open to find Drey and Lovie not too far from the entryway. Lovie was slumped over as Drey attempted to hold her up.
“I’m here,” I announced.
Walking up on them, I peeled Lovie’s eyes open to find they were dilated. Having dealt with a mother who frequently abused all kinds of drugs, I knew she was definitely on something. The question eating away at my insides was whether it was intentional or not.
“I got her. Is the man who was following y’all still here?”
She shook her head. “He didn’t come back inside.”
Drey sighed in relief when I scooped Lovie up in my arms with ease. I tipped my head for her to walk in front of me.
“If you see him when we get outside, let me know.”
Both our heads were on a swivel as we headed to my car. I laid Lovie across the back seat. Drey slid in after her, laying her head on her lap. I saw fear in her eyes as she cradled her cousin close.
“She’ll be okay,” I assured her.
When she looked up at me, I saw tears in her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered, but she nodded. I closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. Throwing the car in drive, I sped away from the club.
“I knew we shouldn’t have gone out tonight,” Drey whispered in the silence.
I opted not to respond, because what could I even say? I technically wasn’t even fucking with Lovie no more, yet here I was coming to her rescue after she lied to me and ultimately landed herself in this predicament. Despite her questionable actions, someone drugging her was not cool at all. I wish the nigga was still out there. I would’ve sent him to the morgue without remorse.
“Where are we going?” Drey asked out of nowhere.
“To my house. My sister is a doctor and has experience with girls who are high out of their mind. We’ll make sure she’s okay. You can stay if you want, or I can call you a ride.”
“I’ll stay,” she replied.
I expected nothing less. Lovie let it be known Drey was the sister she wished she had. The older ones never got her, but her cousin undoubtedly did. I could see the joy they brought each other when they were together, so I knew she was worried out of her mind. She would be up all night just like me to make sure Lovie was good.
Once we made it back to my house, I grabbed Lovie from the back and gave Drey the key to let us inside. I carried Lovie to my bedroom and laid her down. Turning to Drey, I prepared her for what was to come.
“We need to keep an eye on her to make sure she’s breathing until my sister gets here. She’s going to check her out and get her right.”
Tears were falling fast from her eyes. I sympathized with her. This was a scary situation, but I had faith everything would be fine. I’d been here many times before comforting my sister then my brother after he was born.
“Shh, shh. Calm down. It’s going to be okay. We both know Lovie is a fighter. Nothing can defeat her.”
My words seemed to calm her for the time being. She climbed into bed with Lovie while I stepped out to wait on Robyn. Unable to go too far away, I stayed right outside the door pacing back and forth. I didn’t know what to make of the situation and couldn’t lie like it didn’t hurt me to see Lovie so helpless like that. My mother shared with us countless times how men took advantage of her when she was her weakest. The thought of a man doing that to Lovie sent my fist crashing into the wall before I could stop it. Drey came rushing out of the room with extra blown eyes.