Page 134 of The Darkest Note

When I turn around, Redhead’s already hopped down from the piano. She’s bending over to collect her clothes.

I help her out, handing her the bra that somehow landed on the piano bench. Then I locate my shirt and drag it over my head.

“I have to go,” I tell her.

“I gathered that. Is something wrong?” She looks concerned rather than shy.

“Yeah. It’s...”

Sol… suicide.

I can’t even finish the sentence. There’s no way Sol would hurt himself. No way.

The world is spinning. Guilt chews me alive. It’s my fault. If I hadn’t gotten him into this mess over summer break, if I hadn’t abandoned him, if I hadn’t taken my time to deal with Cadence, none of this would have happened.

As I’m spinning out, something grounds me.

I glance down.

Pale fingers slide over my hand and hold me tight. For a second, I just stare at her hand.

I’m not the guy who does the walk on the beach, holding hands crap. But her hand in mine feels right, so I don’t pull away.

We sprint to the elevator and I use my free hand to dial Zane on my phone.

He finally answers. “Dutch.”

“How’s Sol? What are they saying?”

“He’s okay for now, but it’s bad, man.” His voice cracks and it sounds like he might be on the verge of a mental breakdown.

I know my brother and when Zane feels helpless, he does one of two things—bang his drums or bang a chick. Since he’s stuck at the hospital, there’s no possibility of doing either of those things.

“Calm down—”

“Don’t freaking tell me to calm down,” Zane explodes. “Sol tried to kill himself. And if he’d succeeded, it would have been our fault.”

I glance at Redhead. She’s staring up at me. I know she’s probably hearing Zane’s loud screams and wondering what’s going on.

I squeeze her hand and then I turn slightly away. “You’re right. I’ve been dragging my feet with Cadence. But I’m done with that.”

Redhead’s hand slips out of mine.

“What are we going to do?” Zane asks.

“What I should have done from the start.” I huff out a breath, my mind alert and churning with all my next steps. “You stay with Sol and his family. I’ll be there when I’ve handled business.”

Cadence has been tearing me up inside, but I can’t afford to be hesitant any longer.

Sol’s life is at stake.

The elevator opens.

I gesture for Redhead to leave first. Her eyes are wide and her face has gone pale. I want to ask her what’s wrong, but my phone rings again.

It’s Finn.

“Any update?” My brother asks. “I’m stuck in traffic.”

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