Page 46 of Never Started
"Uhh,bro. You'd better be dying or something. It's three in the fucking morning," Kasten's groggy voice comes through the speaker.
"You need to check on her. NOW!" I slur, my words blurred together. Barely audible. Drinking the way I have been will do that to you.
"Bro," he sighs. "What are you talking about? What the fuck is going on? Is she okay?"
"Her friend, Hannah, posted a video on Instagram fifteen minutes ago…" I clear my throat, trying not to sound as drunk as I am. My words come out so forced that I'm unsure if they're even coherent. "She's clearly wasted, Kasten. In the video, she's dancing on the bar top, and the guys sitting around the bar are feeling her up. At the end, she falls, passes out, and before the camera cuts out, some pervert tries to lift her skirt."
"Jett." Kasten lets out another deep sigh. "I’m going to check on her and see what’s going on, but she doesn't sound like the only one who's drunk. Didn't we talk about this recently, man? You need to slow down with the drinking. I'm more worried about you."
My hands flex, clenching into fists that he can’t see. "I don't give a fuck about me!"
"But I do, and you still watching her and her friends' socials isn't healthy. Come on, man. It's been long enough."
"Fuck off!" I growl. "I didn't call for a damn therapy session, Dr. Landry."
“I don’t give a shit what you called for. You’re my best friend, you’re going to get the therapy session because I care about you. Now let me go so I can call and check on–"
"Jett, is everything okay? I heard someone shouting, and it startled me." The stranger's voice rings out from down the hall. The short, petite blonde turns the corner and comes into view. She's wearing nothing but one of my flannel shirts, unbuttoned, with her smaller, perfectly perky tits on full display.
Any man would think she's a stunner. All I can think is that she looksclose enough,but she'll never beher.
What the hell is this chick's name?
"Seriously, dude? You're stressing over Iz while you have another girl with you?" Kasten asks dryly.
"I'm always stressing over her, Kas!” I shout, a little louder than intended, and my voice cracks. “You know this."
"I know, bro. I just think it's time that you—"
"Just fucking check on her, Kas,” I demand, not leaving any room for arguments. My chest is aching with the worry that’s consuming me.I wish I could check on her myself.“She might be hurt. That's all I'm asking for. Okay?"
He sighs, "Okay," and I end the call.
"Come back to bed, baby." Hot little wanna-be Izzy calls out in a seductive voice with a wink.
Whatisher fucking name?Doesn’t matter.
"I’m not tired," I deadpan, emotionless, making my way to the liquor cabinet and pouring myself another.
The drink hits strong, and before I know it, I’m still awake, the girl has left, and it’s time to start my day.
Another day that feels hollow, just like all the ones that came before. Except, after watching that video last night, my nerves are unsettled. My mind is filled with thoughts of her and the relentless, never-dulling ache in my chest is on full blast.
It’s a little after nine in the morning when my phone buzzes and Kasten’s name appears on the screen.
“Mark, take over, I’ll be right back,” I say, stepping away, hitting accept on the call. “Is she okay?”
“Hello to you, too, Sunshine,” Kasten teases.
“Yeah, hey. Now is she–”
“She’s alright. Well, she didn’t answer my calls, but Via did. And she said Izzy is okay. Still passed out from being drunk, but she’s home safe.”
“Good.” I nod to no one, relief hitting me like a fucking freight train.
“Look, man,” he says hesitantly. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I’m worried about you.”
“I know.”
