Page 26 of Howl for Me
“Johnny’s car.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
He smiles, all smug-like. “Congratulations. You’re his new chauffeur, roommate, and babysitter. Effective immediately.”
“What?!”
“You’re moving in. You’ll make sure he gets to set rehearsals and promo interviews. You’ll make sure he eats. Doesn’t kill himself or anyone else.”
“I am not doing that. That’s not in my job description.”
Hector shrugs. “It is now.”
“You can’t just assign me to live with him!”
“I can and I did.” He pulls a folded piece of paper from his jacket and hands it to her.
She unfolds it. Her jaw tightens. “What is this?”
“Your new salary.”
She stares at the check. “This is a bribe.”
“It’s compensation. You’re free to walk away if it’s too much.”
“I didn’t sign up for this, Hector. This is too much.”
“No,” he says evenly. “You’re the only person he listens to and, honestly, his last hope.”
She’s breathing hard now, face flushed with frustration. Her hand is still clutched around the check.
I’m still slouched on the floor, blinking up at her like a dog that’s been kicked too many times.
“You can go,” I mumble. “I’d leave too.”
She looks down at me, jaw clenched, brows drawn tight. Her face is a storm. And then she lets out a breath, sharp and angry.
“Fuck,” she mutters.
She crouches beside me and grabs my arm, tugging me up with more strength than I thought she had. I sway and she stumbles but catches me. I don’t want to puke, but the mixture of coke and booze has my world tilting. I just want to go home.
“Can we go home?” I sound pathetic.
Her eyes narrow. “Yeah, you big mutt. Let’s get you home before I change my mind.”
The ride is a blur of lights and sounds. I jolt halfway awake to the sensation of someone yanking on my arm like I’m a toddler throwing a tantrum in a store. The world outside my eyelids is too bright, too loud, too cold, and her voice cuts right through it like a knife.
“Come on, Johnny,” Cassidy snaps, breathless. “Get the hell up.”
Her fingers are wrapped around my bicep, tugging like she thinks she’s gonna move me by sheer will. I groan and shift just enough to make her grunt in frustration.
“Why are you here?” I slur, eyes still mostly closed. “Didn’t you get the memo? Babysitting time’s over.”
She yanks harder.
“I swear to god, Johnny, if you puke I will kill you.”
“M’fine right here,” I mumble, settling deeper into the seat like it’s a five-star hotel mattress. “Leave me. Let me rot.”
