Page 229 of Fame & Chaos

I immediately realize she means emotionally, not physically.

“I know, cuz,” I murmur while brushing damp hair from her forehead. “I know.”

The medic eventually straightens up, looking concerned. “I think this was likely a panic attack triggered by extreme stress and exhaustion,” he explains. “But her blood pressure’s low enough that I’d prefer to take her in for observation.” He hesitates briefly. “And I think she’d benefit from speaking to somebody professionally.”

Annie passes out again before anyone can respond.

“Okay,” the medic says firmly. “We’re taking her now.”

“I’ll carry her,” I say immediately.

Dee nods while wiping tears from her cheeks.

The next hour is chaos.

We follow the ambulance to the hospital while Aston quietly spirals beside me, convinced he’s destroyed Annie emotionally forever. I keep trying to explain that this clearly runs deeper than just him, but he won’t listen.

By the time we finally get Annie settled into a hospital room, everyone looks emotionally exhausted.

The second I realize we’re in Indi’s hospital, there’s absolutely no way I’m leaving without seeing her. So I head straight toward the nurses’ station.

“Hi,” I say politely. “My cousin was brought in tonight, and she really likes one of your nurses, Indi Malone. Any chance somebody could page her for me?”

The nurse behind the desk instantly smiles a little too brightly. “Sure thing.”

Yep. Still got it.

A couple of minutes later, I spot Indi walking down the corridor toward me, and my chest feels lighter. The second she sees me standing there, her eyes widen in shock.

“What are you doing here?” she asks suspiciously. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere knitting your nana blanket?”

I laugh and immediately lean down, kissing her quickly. “I missed you.”

She swats at me despite smiling. “I’m working, Caleb.”

“Tragic.”

She laughs softly before noticing my expression shift to serious again.

“No, really. Why are you here?”

“Annie.” Instant concern fills her face. “She had a panic attack and collapsed backstage,” I explain. “They brought her here for observation.”

Indi frowns. “Already?” she murmurs. “It’s only the first show.”

“I think it’s more emotional stuff than tour stress.” I quickly explain everything Ella told me about Aston and Annie spiraling afterward.

“That’s heartbreaking,” Indi says quietly. “She genuinely believes she isn’t lovable because she was adopted.”

I nod heavily. “That’s why I wanted to find you.”

She shakes her head. “Caleb, I’m not qualified for trauma counseling—”

“No, not like that,” I interrupt quickly. “I just thought maybe because she trusts you, hearing from you that she should see someone professionally might help.”

Understanding, she softens her expression. “Oh.” She nods slowly. “Yeah, okay. I can definitely help with that.”

Relief floods through me instantly.