Not Falling Apart

Chapter 6

Blake’s POV

Blake didn’t see the fall. He was talking to Usher when something caught his eye—Adam. He jumped up out of his seat and ran over to him. Shakira and Usher were right on his heels. There were people out in the audience, and many of them gasped and looked on anxiously. Blake knelt down beside his unconscious friend, and felt his wrist for a pulse. It was there, but it was very weak. At that moment, Carson Daly came walking out, half-turned around talking to someone behind him, and when he turned back around, he stopped short, then came running over.

“What happened? Is he alright?” Carson asked.

Blake was beyond worried, but he tried to stay calm. The others didn’t know the whole story yet. “I don’t know, but we’ve got to get him to a hospital.”

“I’ll call a…”

“No, there’s no time for that. I’ll take him.”

Before anyone had a chance to dispute him, he scooped Adam up and headed for the exit. He had picked him up many times before, and although he wasn’t heavy, he wasn’t nothing either. This time, it didn’t even feel like Adam in his arms.

Before leaving, Blake turned around and said, “Stay here, don’t worry. I’ll take care of him. I’ll call ya.”

The other three nodded, looking confused and worried. Shakira had her hands clasped in front of her face, and Usher had his arm around her, trying to comfort her.

Blake practically ran with Adam out to his truck, where he gently laid him in the backseat. He got in the driver’s seat, started the truck, and drove away.

It wasn’t too far to the nearest hospital, thank goodness. It also happened to be the one where Adam’s doctor had his office, which was a plus. Blake knew Adam would want to see him over anyone else.

The whole drive he thought about those past few days. What was he thinking? It was going on a week! One week. He had just sat back and watched his friend waste away for nearly one week. He cursed himself and punched the steering wheel. Why hadn’t he done something sooner? He knew Adam was in bad shape. Why had he just let it go when Adam said everything was fine? Everything wasn’t fine. Blake knew it all along. Adam had too, but just didn’t want to admit it. But it wasn’t Adam’s fault—it was his. Here he was, probably sicker than anybody Blake had ever seen, and he left him alone when Adam had needed him. Well that wasn’t going to happen anymore. Blake guessed that whatever was wrong with Adam, was pretty serious, and whatever it was, he certainly didn’t deserve it. He was going to be there for him, every step of the way.

Shakira’s POV

The three of them still stood huddled together in shock. Carson was the first to speak.

“Does anybody know what’s going on?”

Neither Shakira nor Usher could really give a solid answer, because they truly didn’t know.

Usher spoke up. “I don’t know much, but I do know that Adam has been acting strange the past few days here. Just not really talking, or joking around as much. And he hasn’t looked…himself. I guess there was more going on that we didn’t know about.”

Shakira nodded, then suddenly remembered Blake’s silent words: “I’ll tell you later.” Blake obviously knew all about this, or he wouldn’t have insisted that he take Adam to the hospital instead of wait for an ambulance. He knew something was seriously wrong. Usher was right—Adam hadn’t been himself the past few days. Why hadn’t Blake told them sooner? In no way was she upset with him, she just wanted to know what was really going on, and what she could do to help.

“I’m really worried about him. I just hope he’s okay.” Shakira spoke softly. She paused.“So what do we do now?”

“Well, I guess we just hang tight. Keep watching for a call from Blake. Maybe he’ll explain everything then,” Carson said, sounding worried himself. He noticed Shakira’s troubled expression. “I’m sure Adam will be just fine.”

Blake’s POV

Blake arrived at the hospital. He parked the truck, then went around to the back seat and lifted Adam out. He walked as fast as he could to the entrance. A few people stared at him. He didn’t care. There was only one thing on his mind right now.

He burst through the front door and went up to the receptionist’s desk. When the girl behind the counter saw the unconscious man in his arms, she immediately motioned for someone to get a doctor and a hospital bed. Blake didn’t have a chance to say anything. A few more nurses came out with the bed, and they helped Blake place Adam on it. Then they rolled him away.

Blake walked back over to the desk. He talked to the same girl he’d seen when he first came in. Her name tag read Amanda.

She looked at him. “Could you tell me what’s going on? If you know? I’ll need to get some things on file,” she said.

She probably thought it was just some random guy he picked up off the street. But oh, he knew.

“That’s my friend. His name’s Adam. Adam Levine. He passed out a little while ago. I got him here as quick as I could. I think he may be dehydrated, or starved, or something, I don’t know. What are they gonna do for him?”

Amanda was writing things down as she spoke. “They’ll do a full examination, blood tests, and get him started on IVs.” She looked up at Blake. “Don’t worry, he’ll be in good hands.”

Blake added, “Oh, and could ya see if his doctor is in. Barnes, I think? He went to him last week for some stuff and he’ll probably wanna see him again.”

“Will do.”

Blake stood there, unsure of what to do. He glanced a couple times down the hallway where they took Adam, wanting desperately to go back there and see him, to know what was happening.

“Can I go with him?”

“I’m sorry, it’s against hospital policy. After the doctor is finished, you’ll be allowed to go in. It could be a while, so please, have a seat.”

Blake didn’t know if they always said it would ‘be a while,’ or if Amanda had said that based on how bad Adam looked. He didn’t want to find out.  He sat down on a chair and waited.