Page 17 of Addicted to You
“I’m just putting this out there,” I continued. “If you ever need help, I’m someone you can call.” I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and held out one of my business cards. I would need new ones once I started a new job, but my cell number would stay the same.
He stared at the card like it might bite him before finally grabbing it. “I don’t need help,” he muttered under his breath.
“Maybe not,” I replied, shrugging. “But keep it just in case.”
He jammed the card into his hoodie pocket, his eyes flicking toward the doorway. “Can we not make this a thing? I’ve got it under control.”
I nodded. “All right. Your call.”
Britt’s voice echoed from the living room, calling my name. Silas took that as his out, brushing past me toward the stairs without another word.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the crumpledbaggie in the trash. I wasn’t about to share his secret with his family, but I couldn’t ignore my feelings that Silas didn’t have things as under control as he wanted to believe.
Two WeeksLater
The highway stretched aheadof us as I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel of Britt’s Jetta. She sat next to me, her feet tucked up on the seat, scrolling through her phone.
We’d hired movers to handle the heavy lifting; our furniture, boxes, and even my Silverado were somewhere miles behind us, being hauled up to Boston. It felt strange, letting someone else take care of my truck, but the long trip was better with us driving together.
The stereo blared with Surrender’s new album, which had just come out a few days ago. Britt had put it on the moment we’d started the trip, and now, hours later, it was still looping. I wasn’t complaining, though. The music was good—better than good, actually.
“You’ve been quiet.” Britt glanced over at me. “Everything okay?”
“Just listening to your brother play the drums.” I kept my eyes on the road.
She grinned. “You’re starting to sound like a fan.”
I gave a small laugh, shaking my head. “It’s just interesting since I know him. He has to be celebrating hardcore.”
As soon as those words left my mouth, I thought about when I’d last seen her brother. My stomach twisted in knots when I thought about the secret he and I had between us, but what else could I do? The guy was her brother. He’d looked me in the eye and told me he was fine, that he had everything handled. I wanted to believe him—I needed to believe him—but I knew better. The baggie was empty, and I’d seen numerous signs of his drug use over the holiday we’d spent together.
“For sure. I can’t wait to go to their concert in a couple of months.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “That will be fun.”
A few hours later,we stopped in a small town just off the interstate and found a decent-looking motel. I parked the Jetta and went inside to get a room. After checking in, I carried our bags into the room. It was basic, with a king-size bed, a small bathroom, and a desk. Not much, but enough for the night.
Britt kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the bed. “This feels way better than the car.”
I set our bags down, then sat on the edge of the bed and took off my shoes too. “A bed definitely beats the Jetta.”
She stretched out and yawned. “You think we’ll make it to Boston tomorrow?”
I nodded. “We should. We made it about halfway today.”
“Why do I have a feeling we’ll be sleeping on the floor the first night in our new apartment?”
“Probably. I don’t think the movers will beat us there and they won’t be able to get in without us.”
“I guess we can rent a room when we get into town.”
“Or buy an air mattress,” I countered.
“Or go to my parents’ house.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind, but I kinda like the idea of us camping out in our new place. Like we’re in our early twenties and not pushing thirty.”
“Are you calling me old?” She stuck out her tongue.
