Page 54 of Unholy Confessions
I'm unprepared for it to be Hayden standing there in front of me.
"Oh my God, Montgomery are you okay?" He asks, sweeping me up in his arms.
I'm confused as to why he's asking. It's not like I've made any type of post on social media about what happened last night, and unless he was in the house with us, there's no way he can know. "What do you mean?"
He pulls away. "He's going to rehab."
"What?" I shriek. What the fuck happened in the time since I left last night.
Without me asking him to, he comes in and holds up his phone. I grab it out of his hands, and read with my mouth agape.
EXCLUSIVE: Grey Skies Guitarist RJ Thompson Enters Rehabilitation Facility
Rock star seeks treatment as band prepares for European tour
NASHVILLE - Grey Skies lead guitarist RJ Thompson, 22, has voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility to address substance abuse issues, his representatives confirmed early this morning.
The announcement comes just six weeks before the band's highly anticipated European tour, which is expected to draw over 500,000 fans across 15 countries. Sources close to the band suggest the decision was made after what one insider described as "a wake-up call that couldn't be ignored any longer."
"RJ is committed to getting the help he needs," said Grey Skies' management team in a brief statement. "The band asks for privacy during this difficult time and appreciates the continued support of their fans."
Thompson, who has been dating high school sweetheart Montgomery Winston, for the past seven years, has previously admitted struggling with the pressures of fame.
The rehabilitation facility, which sources say is a premier addiction treatment center in Malibu, typically offers 30 to 90-day programs. It remains unclear how Thompson's treatment will affect Grey Skies' upcoming tour dates, though the band's label insists all shows will proceed as scheduled.
Fans have flooded social media with messages of support using the hashtag #StayStrongRJ, while others express concern about the band's future. Grey Skies' last album, "Fractured Light," debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum.
Neither Thompson nor his brother, EJ were immediately available for comment.
My hands are shaking so badly I can barely hold the phone. The words blur together as I read them again, trying to make sense of how this became public knowledge when I was just with him hours ago. My chest feels tight, like I can't get enough air.
"Montgomery, breathe," Skylar says, taking the phone from my trembling fingers. "Sit down."
But I can't sit. I can't breathe. I can barely think. "How did this happen so fast? I was just there. He was... God, he was so fucked up, but rehab? When did he decide on rehab?"
"Maybe his family intervened," Hayden suggests, and I suddenly remember he's still here, standing in my living room like he belongs here. Like he has any right to be part of this conversation.
I fumble for my own phone, scrolling frantically through my contacts until I find RJ's number. My finger hovers over the call button for a moment before I press it, pressing the phone to my ear so hard it hurts.
It goes straight to a generic voicemail message. Not even his voice. Just a robotic woman telling me the number I've dialed is not available.
"Fuck," I breathe, ending the call and immediately trying again. Same result. "His phone's off."
"Or disconnected," Skylar says gently. "Some facilities require patients to give up their phones during intake. That happened with my dad."
The reality of it hits me like a slap. He's really gone. He's actually in rehab, and I had no idea it was happening. After everything we've been through, after the fight last night, after walking out on him, he made this massive decision and I wasn't even a consideration.
I try calling again. And again. Each time, that same sterile voicemail greeting, like RJ Thompson never existed at all.
"This is insane," I mutter, pacing back and forth across my living room. "I need to talk to someone who knows what's going on."
Without really thinking about it, I scroll to EJ's number. RJ's older brother has always been the responsible one, the one who handles crises and makes the hard decisions when their dad can't. If anyone knows what's happening, it's him.
He answers on the second ring.
"Montgomery." His voice is tired, strained. "I was wondering when you'd call."
"EJ, what the hell is going on? I just saw the news about RJ and I don't understand?—"
