Page 3 of Addicted to You
My family always spent a few days skiing during the holidays, but I hadn’t joined them on the last two trips, preferring to stay in LA for the New Year’s parties over quiet trips home. The only reason I had come back to Boston this year was because Mom had been complaining about how long it had been since she’d seen me. “It should be fun. Hopefully, I haven’t forgotten how.”
“I’m sure you’ll be just fine,” she said, sliding the plate across the counter. “Now eat. And drink some water. You look dehydrated.”
I muttered a thank you and picked at the sandwich while my parents peppered me with questions about life in LA, the new album, and the upcoming tour. I kept some of my answers vague since I didn’t think they wanted all the sordid details of my partying lifestyle.
Eventually, my dad changed the subject to something about the Patriots. I nodded along, but my mind was already elsewhere. Pulling out my phone, I messaged my friend, Donnie:
Back home. Any good parties tonight?
He replied a few seconds later:
Not really but come down to the Sapphire Lounge. I can hook you up with some good shit and make sure my best dancers are available if you want a lap dance
Back in high school, Donnie was the guy who always sold weed at parties. After graduating, he leveled up and could get whatever people wanted to buy. He’d also taken over the strip club his mom’s fiancé owned after the guy went to prison a couple of years ago. According to him, the drug business had taken off once he was able to add the strippers and patrons to his customer base. Guess I was spending my first night back home at the strip club.
Soundsgood. See you soon
Walkingup to The Sapphire Lounge, I pulled out my wallet and prepared to show my ID at the door.
“Silas Hale?” one of the bouncers asked, his arms crossed over his chest.
“That’s me.” It wasn’t uncommon for people to recognize me from Surrender, but for some reason, I didn’t think he cared about me being in a band.
“Donnie told us you were coming. He’s waiting in his office.”
Office? I couldn’t imagine Donnie working behind a desk, even if it was in a strip club.
The bouncer turned to another guy dressed in the same black “Security” T-shirt and jeans and said, “You’ve got the door while I take him back.”
The club was more upscale than I’d imagined. The chrome accents and sleek black leather booths filled with men in tailored suits sipping what I assumed was top-shelf liquor made it clear this wasn’t some back-alley dive.
It took only a second for my eyes and ears to adjust to the lights and heavy bass pumping through the speakers. The chaos was nothing like the bright flashing lights and volume that I was used to at our concerts, which was only going to be more intense on our upcoming tour since we, as the headliners, would likely have a more elaborate set-up.
On stage, a leggy blonde wearing nothing but a hot pink G-string spun around a pole, and I had to force myself to look away from her perky tits to follow the bouncer through the main floor. Some patrons turned their heads as we passed, and I heard their whispers of recognition. I ignored them, focusing instead on the guy in front of me until we reached a door down a dark hallway, and he pushed it open.
Donnie’s office had the same vibe as the club, all decked out in leather and chrome. He looked up as I entered, and his face broke into a wide smile.
“Finally, you’ve come back to Boston,” he said, standing to greet me.
“Hey, bro.” I shook his hand.
“Been too long, man. Have a seat.” He gestured toward one of the chairs across from his desk. “How’s LA treating you?”
I shrugged. “Can’t complain.”
“I bet.” He smirked. “Making music, touring, probably hooking up with more chicks than you can count. You’re living the fucking dream, huh?”
I barked out a laugh. “Pretty much.”
We chatted for a few minutes about old times and caught up on mutual friends before he leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. “All right. Enough with the small talk. I know what you really came here for.”
He pulled open a drawer, produced a small bag of white powder, and tossed it onto the desk between us. I couldn’t wait to get a taste. “How much do I owe you?”
“Let’s just call it a little welcome home gift. Maybe while you’re here, you can introduce me to some of your other friends. Let them know where to get the good stuff.”
“I’m actually going to a party next week and could probably get you on the guest list. You’d likely rake in a ton of cash.”
“Excellent.” He grinned again.
