Page 49 of Break Me
Fourteen
My phone ringsas Tess and I head over to the treadmills. She likes to lift, I like to run, so we each do both. Together. That’s what friends are for, right?
I glance at the screen as I straddle the treadmill, feet on the sides. Beside me, Tess glances my way, curious.
Riley’s name lights up on the screen. I think about not taking it. I don’t want to deal with Benji’s drama. Not tonight. He’s probably pissed I’m not getting on a damn plane with him tomorrow, but that’s not really my problem.
Come to think of it though, it’s not really Riley’s either, so maybe that’s not even why she’s calling.
I sigh, accept the call, and hold the phone to my ear, plugging my other ear with my finger so I’ll be able to hear her over the music in the gym.
“Ava? I’m sorry to bother you,” she says in a rush, “but Benji is...” I roll my eyes, not really caring what Benji is. It’s pretty clear Benji is giving her shit for me telling him No. It’s like he’s never heard the word before.
“He’s not okay,” Riley finally says.
My heart stutters in my chest. “What?” I ask, frowning. What exactly does that mean? I’d argue Benji hasn’t been okay for a while but I don’t think that’s what she means.
In the background, I hear him laughing. Manically.
“What’s going on?”
“Can you come to my place?” she sounds frantic, but also apologetic. “He’s high...and...I dunno. I think it’d be better if you were here.”
For fuck’s sake. I glance at Tess, who is still eyeing me as she walks slowly for her warmup on the treadmill.
I don’t want to go. But for Riley’s sake...I don’t think she has anyone else she can call.
“I’ll be right there.”
* * *
When Riley letsme inside her condo, her face is pale and she’s wringing her hands.
“I’m so sorry,” she says as she shuts and locks the door behind me, “but he’s been asking for you and…I’ve never seen him like this.”
I can hear him laughing from somewhere deeper inside her condo and I follow her through the foyer, into the living room, where the laughter grows louder.
“Avaaaa,” Benji’s voice calls out to me, “Avaaaaa.” Then he bursts into laughter all over again.
We walk down the hall, past the living room, and there he is, sitting on his ass, back against the wall, grinning at nothing and no one. He doesn’t even look up when we come into view. He’s tried to stretch out his legs, but the hall is too narrow for him, and he just looks like a giant kid.
I glance at Riley, beside me. “Just weed?” I ask. I can smell it in here, although I don’t see a joint in Benji’s hand, which must mean Riley took it from him.
Riley shakes her head and closes her eyes tight a second before she opens them again, looking at Benji, who still doesn’t turn toward us.
“No,” she admits. “We had a few drinks. He had rum. He got really…angry.” She swallows. “But I know he’s also taking Xanax, too. And then he just…” She gestures to the floor, trailing off.
“What?” I hiss, looking back at Benji. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but at the same time, why the hell would he mix so many things at once? I mean, I’ve done it before, but only when I was being a complete dumbass, not because a girl I barely knew wouldn’t get on a flight with me to another country.
“He’s got a prescription,” Riley hurries along, as if that makes it all better. “But I think…” I see her wrap her arms around herself, “I think he takes too many.” She has on a hoodie, her thumbs through the thumbholes, and jeans. Her eyes are kind of glassy and I wonder how much she’s drank.
I nod. “Got it.” I squat down beside Benji, putting my hand gently on his shoulder, remembering what happened when I did that before, when he was having some sort of meltdown at his place. We ended up having sex after that, and never talked about it. Probably his intention.
“Benji,” I say quietly.
He turns his head toward me, his pupils dilated, eyes unfocused. But then he seems to actually see me, and his brows shoot up as he leans toward me.
“Ava?” he asks softly. He reaches a finger out to my face, caressing my cheek.
