Come with Me (Let It Be Me #2) (14 page)

“Hi Alex, Ben,” she greeted, nodding at Alex then just quickly looking at Ben – so quick that his face was just a blur.

“Hey Liz, looks like things are going to be great,” Alex said.

“Thanks, I hope so,” she said, smiling. “The bar’s all ready, why don’t you grab some drinks before the guests arrive.”

“I think we’ll do just that,” Alex said, grinning. “Thank you.” Alex held on to Kayla’s arm as they made their way to the ballroom, chatting with the other RHS employees on their way. 

Liz knew Ben was going to be passing by her too. Not wanting to face him just yet, she quickly turned and went back to Dana. They had nothing to discuss, really, but she needed to get her bearing back.

It was definitely going to be a long night.

Chapter 20

Liz

 “Cheers to RHS!” Dana said, raising her flute of champagne.

“Cheers!” 

It was past midnight and all the guests have left, leaving the RHS team behind. They were all gathered around one of the tables – some were seated while the rest were standing. They were enjoying some champagne and cake.

The event seemed like a success. Alex presented the school project engagingly with the materials from Flanders and Associates -- the guests received it very well. Everyone then enjoyed the buffet and the open bar while a band was playing, followed by a set by Alicia Keys. It turned out Alicia Keys was also a humanitarian and was a good friend of Alex’s.

The RHS team took pledges and donations. Liz lost track of the amounts – one of the guys would do the tallying – but the guests clearly appreciated the cause and were generously helping out.

“Thank you everyone,” Alex said. “I enjoyed the night. It went very smoothly. We shall also commend our new girl Liz for doing a terrific job heading this.”

Liz smiled shyly, looking around as they clapped and cheered for her. Her eyes briefly stopped on Ben, who was standing beside Henry and Liz had a very slight satisfaction that Ben look ashamed. Liz continued smiling at everyone else.

“We have the ballroom booked until two, right Liz?” Alex asked. “So the vendors can clear out after?”

Liz nodded.

“So you guys enjoy the place, the food and the booze,” he told everyone. “Just get home safely okay?”

Everyone nodded.

“Kayla and I will go ahead,” Alex said. “I’m sure Henry would be heading home to get his sleep too.”

Everyone laughed and turned to Henry, who was just smiling. Only Alex can kid Henry about his age since Henry was the oldest one in the office.

“Thanks again, everyone,” he said. He led Kayla away.

“Diane and I will be going as well,” Henry announced, making everyone laugh again, since he just proved what Alex said.

“You did a good job, Liz,” Henry commended with a smile as he and Diane walked by.

“Thanks Henry,” she said. 

Most of them stayed to enjoy some more. 

“Maron will take care of Adam tonight,” Dana said, winking.

“That’s right,” Liz said, grinning, as they toasted their glasses. 

Paul was being his usual comedic self as he walked over to the stage, got the microphone, and started singing some of the songs Alicia Keys sang earlier. He got cheers and catcalls. It was hilarious.

He was in the middle of his second song when Liz heard her phone ringing.

Who would be calling her at one in the morning?

She got her phone from her clutch bag and saw it was Brian.

“Hey, Bri, what’s up?”

“Liz!” Brian cried out.

Liz’s heart started thumping. Brian was clearly crying and she heard loud noises in the background.

Liz walked away from the others. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”

“It’s D-Dave, he took one t-too many pills,” he stuttered. “He h-had convulsions at the bar.” Brian started sobbing.

“Where are you now?” Liz asked, in panic. She could only imagine what Brian was feeling.

“I’m in the cab,” he said, sniffing. “The paramedics didn’t allow me to go with them. They’re bringing him to Roosevelt Hospital.”

“I’ll meet you there,” Liz assured him. She looked around, thinking what she should do. She was supposed to stay until the ballroom had to be cleared. “I’ll leave now. He’ll be okay, babe.”

Brian just cried. 

“Hang in there,” Liz said. “I’ll be there soon. I love you.”

She looked at her colleagues frantically, then she decided to approach Sarah. 

“Sarah, I’m so sorry I need to leave for an emergency,” Liz explained quickly, the panic still coursing through her. 

Dana approached them, probably sensing Liz’s distress.

“Someone just has to make sure the banquet manager is informed before the last person leaves,” Liz rattled off. “All the vendors have been paid already.”

“Sure,” Dana said, “We’ll handle it.”

“Are you okay?” Sarah asked.

“My friend’s in the hospital,” Liz said, “I really have to go. I’ll tell you girls about it Monday.”

“Take care, Liz,” Sarah said. “Hope your friend will be okay.”

 “Thanks, I hope so too,” Liz said, biting on her lower lip.

Unable to say goodbye to everyone else, she walked quickly away and out of the ballroom. She was running through the lobby when she heard someone calling after her.

“Liz!”

She looked back without stopping. She saw Ben walking briskly after her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, managing to catch up with her.

“Now isn’t the time, Ben,” she said as she crossed the threshold and out to the sidewalk.

“I heard what you told Sarah,” Ben said. “Which hospital are you going to? I’ll drive you.”

“I can take the cab,” she said, but she looked around and saw a number of people who looked like they came from the hotel bar. They were all outside too, trying to hail their own cabs.

Ben must have seen the situation too, since he quickly gave his valet stub to the attendant.

“I’ll give you a twenty if the car gets here in less than five minutes,” Liz heard him tell the boy.

Knowing she had no better choice, she waited with Ben for his car. She didn’t bother anymore to contest since she promised Brian she would be there with him as soon as she could.

True enough, his Lexus arrived quickly. Ben opened the door for Liz, and she got in. 

“Which hospital?” Ben asked as he got in.

“Roosevelt,” she said.

He plugged in the address in his GPS, then a voice started giving him directions.

They were both quiet as Ben drove. She was too worried about Dave and Brian. She’s never known of Brian ever taking drugs. But then, they never spoke about it. 

Ben was driving as fast as he could – Liz was thankful for that – but it still felt like a lifetime till Ben stopped the car in front of the hospital’s emergency department. 

“I’ll just look for parking,” he said. “I’ll follow.”

Liz didn’t have time to oppose. She just got out of the car and rushed into the hospital.

There were a number of people in the waiting room. She scanned the small crowd until she found Brian, seated at the seat at one corner, bent down. There wasn’t any sign of her confident, happy and vibrant friend.

Liz’s heart dropped at the sight of him. She didn’t want to see him this way.

She rushed over to him.

“Brian, I’m here,” she said soothingly. 

He looked up, looking pale and hopeless, but he immediately stood up when he saw her.

“Oh Bri,” she said, enveloping him in a hug. He started crying. “How is he?” 

“They’re pumping his stomach, that’s all I know,” he said sobbing.

“He’ll be okay, Bri,” she said consolingly, rubbing his back.

“I should have stopped him from taking that second pill,” Brian said, breaking away. “I was too high from the pill I took myself. I wasn’t focused. I saw him when he was about to take the second one, but my reflexes were too slow.”

“Oh Brian…” Liz couldn’t deny that she was disappointed in him, but she knew that this was hard lesson enough for him.

“It’s my first and last,” Brian promised. “I swear. And if Dave fucking lives I will make sure he never takes any kind of narcotics anymore.” A new wave of tears came, and Liz rested her arm on his shoulders, guiding him to sit down. Brian bent his head as he cried.

“Excuse me.”

Liz and Brian looked up to see a female nurse in front of them.

“You were asking about Dave O’Keefe?” she asked.

Brian nodded numbly. “I’m his b-boyfriend.”

“He has no family in New York?”

“They’re in Wisconsin,” Brian supplied.

The nurse nodded. “The gastric lavage was successful.” 

Brian started weeping. Liz sighed in relief.

“The patient’s vitals are now stable,” she continued. “But he needs to rest. You can come back tomorrow to visit him.”

 The nurse left then.

“I’ll wait here,” Brian said.

“There’s no use doing that,” Liz said. “He’s resting. You need some rest too.”

“But I don’t want to leave him,” Brian said. “It was my fault.”

“It wasn’t your fault at all,” Liz insisted. “It was his choice. Come on, you can sleep in my place.”

Brian shook his head. “I’ll go home to change and get clothes for him then I’ll come back here immediately.”

Liv wanted to debate further since she knew Brian needed to rest too but she would have done the same if she were in his shoes.

“I’ll go back here with you,” she told him.

“No, but thanks, I want to do this alone, okay?”

Liz nodded, understanding him.  

They stood up – Brian held on to Liz’s arm – and turned.

Liz stopped when she saw Ben. She almost forgot he was waiting for her.

“Ben,” she uttered.

Brian looked at Liz curiously.

“Brian, this is one of my bosses Benjamin Wright. We call him Ben. Ben, this is one of my best friends, Brian Morgan.”

Brian and Ben shook hands.

“I couldn’t help but overhear what the nurse told you,” Ben said. “I’m glad your friend is okay.”

“Yes, thank you,” Brian said.

“I’ll take you both home,” he said.

Liz just nodded. Ben’s already went all the way to the hospital with her and waited. She might as well allow him to drive them home.

“I’ll just get the car. I’ll be at the front in five.” He said before walking away quickly.

“Care to explain?” Brian asked.

“I swear, I was avoiding him all night,” Liz said, defending herself. “But I was such in a hurry to get to you and there were so many people waiting for a cab outside the hotel and he offered…” She knew she was babbling but she’s been so confused all day about Ben that it got her all worked up.

“You have to talk to him about it, then,” Brian advised. 

“I’ll try,” she said.

“You have to, Liz,” Brian exclaimed. “So you can kill your infatuation soon enough and get on with your work.”

“You’re right,” Liz said, knowing he was right. “I’ll talk to him tonight.”

They stepped out onto the hospital’s emergency department drop off.

Ben’s car appeared right then.

“At least I get to go home in style,” Brian said, when he saw the Lexus.

“Come on,” Liz said.

Ben got out of the car to open the back door for Brian; then he went around to the passenger side to open the door for Liz. 

“Where to?” Ben asked as he got back to his seat.

Brian dictated his address. 

Ben automatically punched it into his GPS for directions.

Liz heard movement at the back. She twisted her neck to see Brian edging to the center of the backseat. Brian reached out to rest his right hand on Liz’s shoulder. Liz smiled at him and raised her hand to place it over his. 

“I hope I didn’t ruin the dress with my tears,” Brian said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Liz said, looking down, almost forgetting that she was in a dress and that she just came from an important event. “If needed I will pay for it.”

“No, just return it, I will have it washed and repaired if ever,” Brian said. Bergdorf Goodman had a laundry and alterations department, he told her before.

“Okay, if you’re sure. I’ll return it tomorrow,” Liz said.

She turned to face forward; and while doing so her eyes met Ben’s.

He offered her a slight smile, but Liz didn’t reciprocate. She faced forward, her heart racing. Brian squeezed her shoulder – she wasn’t sure who needed whose support more.

 “Thank you for the ride, Ben,” Brian said, when they were nearing his place. “I’m sorry if we met under such circumstances.”

“No problem,” Ben said. “I’m glad I was of help even in a small way.”

They reached Brian’s place shortly.

Ben stopped the engine. Knowing what he’s about to do, Liz quickly said, “You don’t have to. I’ll just walk with him to the door.”

Ben nodded.

Liz and Brian got out the same side of the car. Brian lived at an apartment above a deli in Alphabet City; he always kidded his apartment smelled like salami. 

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Liz asked, taking his hand.

“Dave’s okay,” Brian said courageously, “so I’m okay.”

Liz smiled at him encouragingly. 

“Thanks so much for everything, Liz,” Brian said, giving her a hug.

“Anytime, Bri,” Liz said. “You can call me if you need to talk, okay? Even if it’s in the middle of the night.”

They broke apart and Liz watched as Brian unlocked the door to get in. It was only when he was safely inside that Liz grudgingly turned back. Ben was standing by the passenger’s side of the car, ready to open the door for her. 

He was such a big help that night.

And he was making it harder for her.

She got in, and waited till he returned to his seat.

“Thank you,” she said softly, daring to look at him.

“Are you okay?” Ben asked, peering at her.

Liz nodded. 

“Brian will be okay?” 

“Yes, he’s a strong one,” Liz said confidently. “Tonight was just one of those nights. It’s going to be a hard lesson for both Brian and Dave.” She was speaking because Ben somehow deserved to know what happened after all he did for her and Brian.

“Dave is the boyfriend?” he asked as he started the car.