Page 8 of Up All Night
"I want to help him get to the next level, but I'm not sure if he's there yet."
"So hang tight.Give him some time.Did he give up drinking and whoring around again?"
"It looks that way.But I already told him that nobody's going to cut him some slack if he doesn't stay off it for good."
"So, you did your due diligence, man.It's up to him."
"That's the thing, Stone.Sure, it's up to him, but anyone who's been around a substance abuser knows that they need a lot of support."
"Yeah?"
"And I think that Jagger was just paying me some lip service about being there for him.It's his best friend and he's being a dipshit."
"And that's the real reason why you almost tore Jagger a new one in there."
"Exactly.I get it that he's got a lot going on, but fuck, I wouldn't exactly call that being humble.Jesus, Axl's seen him through a lot of shit, and if it weren't for him, Jagger wouldn't be where he is now."
"Weren't you the same guy that said Jagger should stay the fuck away from Axl?Weren't you the one, in your professional consultant capacity, that said if Jagger does business with him, that it would be the kiss of death for Lawson Enterprises?Are we retracting our thoughts here, Rush?"His tone is matter-of-fact as he plays Devil's Advocate.But he's right.
My gaze is on my hands as I think about my response.When it comes out, it's level, honest, and I almost don't recognize my own voice."I've never seen Axl like this before, Stone.I swear, it's like he had an epiphany or something.Like some switch turned in him and he's a different man."
My cousin purses his lips, measuring his response.He waits a beat before his reply comes."Not that I want to take anything away from the guy, Rush.But I've seen it before.We'veallseen it before.I think that maybe falling in love has softened you some, because you can see that in him, and your hopes are showing.God bless you for this, and I'm sure that if it all works out for him, that you and Axl will be closer and be better people because of it, but I love you, man, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
I pat his back."I appreciate that.I really do.But I just wish that Jagger would be more on board with him.I hate it that this merger with Drummond has stripped him of so much, even though it's also given him everything that he's ever wanted."
"Don't cut Jagger short, Rush.Quit looking at him through that lens.No matter what happens, Jagger always comes through and does the right thing.You Lawsons all do."He changes the subject."Now, tell me more about this Izzy chick that you're marrying."
I smile."She's amazing.Smart, beautiful, well-rounded."
"You mean she's fat?"He jokes.
I elbow him."You'll love her.Once she gets home from Paris, I want you to meet her."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't dying to meet the woman that gave my cousin such a different perspective on life."
My phone rings in my pocket.I pull it out."Oh, it's Izzy.Speak of the devil."
I put her on speakerphone."Hi, babe.I'm just sitting here with my cousin, Stone.Are you French enough yet?"
Her voice is low, almost a whisper, and she sounds like her best friend is about to die."Rush, God, I don't know what to do."
My brows furrow."What's wrong, babe?What can I do to help."
She sighs.I can't decide if she's been crying or not."This is a disaster.I, I absolutely cannot tell you over the phone."
"Jesus, Izzy, you're scaring me.What's wrong?Do you need me to hop on the jet and come out there?"
Her voice is urgent."No, no, God, please don't!"Then she gasps."Shit!I have to go, Rush!I'll call you as soon as I can."
Chapter 3
Izzy
"That'sabsurd!"Daddyrepeats."Who told you this?Who, at my office, told you this?"
"Monsieur, I do not know, but I can find out.My assistant called over to me yesterday and told me."
Daddy's voice is demanding."And you never thought to call me directly and check?"
