Page 80 of Hidden Plays
“An addict needs to hit bottom to get better, and you’re not letting him hit bottom.” I clenched my jaw. Fuck, were we about to have a family argument over him now?
Mom threw me a glare. “Holden, he’s my son, and I won’t have him living on the streets.” With a harrumph, she peeked at Dad.
“He’s right. We should cut him off. I’m done with this.” Dad hung his head, fingering his phone. “No more money when he asks.”
At least Dad was seeing the light. “We all should agree on this. It’s the only way it will work.” I put a platter in the sink.
Mom slumped her shoulders, her arms hanging limp inside the sink. “Okay. You both win.”
After cleaning all the dishes,I met Dad on the couch with beers to finish watching the last football game. “So, who do you want to win? The Cowboys or Green Bay?” I asked and sipped my beer, my gaze roaming the dark sky outside the window. Where the hell had Noel ended up? It was a holiday, for fuck’s sake.
A cell phone chimed in the kitchen, and Mom picked up her phone from the counter. “Hello?” Her brows furrowed. “Yes, this is Leah Cox.”
I cut my gaze to Mom. Who was calling her?
“Oh, no…” Resting her forehead in her hand, she bent over the counter, planting an elbow on it for support. “Where is he?” She nodded. “But he’s alive?” Her voice cracked.
Fuck. I tagged Dad on the shoulder. “Something happened to Noel.” I jumped from the couch and strode to Mom, placing a hand on her back. “What happened?” My heartbeat thrummed in my ears.
“Thank you. I’ll be right there.” Ending the call, she dropped her phone on the counter as her breath hitched.
Dad appeared at my side. “Leah? What’s wrong?”
“N-Noel, he’s in the ICU. He was in an accident.” Breathing deeply, she straightened, and her eyes glistened. “We need to go to the Scottsdale Shea Hospital.” As her lower lip quivered, Dad wrapped her in a tight hug.
“He’ll be all right, Leah.” Dad kissed her head, skimming his hand over her hair.
I stared at them, my stomach twisting in knots. Was I about to lose my brother on fucking Thanksgiving? God damn it. God damnhim. Couldn’t he give up the booze and drugs for one day? “Let’s get in the car. I can drive us.”
“No, I’ll drive.” Dad gave me a pointed look. “I’ve had less to drink than you, and we need no more problems tonight.”
As the moment’s gravity sank in, my eyes stung, and my vision blurred. Fuck, I needed JJ. If I were to lose my brother tonight…
SEVENTEEN
JORDAN (JJ)
Isat on the couch with Nicole and Mom, watching a Hallmark Christmas movie and drinking hot chocolate. I used to think these movies were silly, but now it felt like I was in one. Yeah, Holden made me all gooey inside.
Dad sprawled in his recliner, reading his newspaper again. His cell phone rang on the side table next to the recliner. Throwing his paper on the floor, he picked it up. “Dr. Matthews here.” He nodded once. “I’ll be right in.” With a glance at us, he pushed out of the recliner and stood. “I’m needed at the hospital.”
Mom sipped her hot chocolate, her gaze on the television. “Okay, honey. I hope it’s not too late of a night.”
Watching the exchange, I said, “What’s up? Can you tell us?” Mom was so used to this. It barely registered with her.
“A car accident victim needs surgery. That’s all I can say.” Dad strode out of the room.
With a shrug and a nod, I returned to the movie, the couple in the middle of the standard breakup over miscommunication while arguing in a Christmas tree lot. Maybe I should take Holden to the Zoo Lights this year. Yeah, that would be a romantic treat.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table in front of me. I stared at it for a moment and then picked it up.Harry Smithscrolled across the screen. Shit, I still hadn’t changed his name in my contacts.
Nicole peered at my phone. “Who is Harry? I thought Holden was your boyfriend?”
“It’s a long story, but thisisHolden.” I chuckled. I’d have to tell her what happened after the call. “Hello?”
“JJ?” Holden’s voice wavered. “I need you. Noel’s in the hospital, the one on Shea Boulevard. He’s been in an accident. He’s in the ICU.”
My eyes popped open. Holy fuck, had Dad been called to help Holden’s brother? “Sure, babe. I’ll be right there.” As the call ended, I glanced at Mom and Nicole, both fixated on me.
