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I wince, knowing this place has several cameras, and Drew will likely see Carter’s state. I pay the cabbie twenty extra dollars to wait for me.
“Carter?” I whisper, and his head tilts up to look at me. His eyes are glassy and unfocused. He’s wearing the standard-issued Silver employee T-shirt, and my stomach drops when I see a pill container.
It feels like there is a vice around my heart and the longer I stare at it, the tighter it gets.
We need to get out of here. I need to leave.
As much as I don’t want to touch it, I have to. I can’t leave pills on the street. Once in my hand, it feels heavy.
It’s not, though.
It’s only my demons that taunt me.
Throwing it in my bag, I move to grab Carter. “Let’s go, bud,” I say, trying and failing several times to help him to his feet.
His arms flail before I’m finally able to drape the one around my shoulder. We wobble to the cab, and I help lower him into the seat.
“Is he going to get sick in here?” the crotchety man barks from the front seat.
“If he does, I’ll pay to have it cleaned,” I hiss before rattling off my address.
He’s just coherent enough that I don’t fear an overdose, but there’s absolutely no way I’m deserting him tonight. His head falls limply to my shoulder, and I look down to ensure he’s breathing.
“T-Thanks, Bae,” he slurs.
My hand finds his, and I squeeze it in reassurance.
“We’re going to figure this out, Carter. I’m going to help.”
If not for Harper, I’d probably be dead. She pulled me out from the darkness and gave me light. I’ll be Carter’s Harper. Tonight, I’ll watch over him, but tomorrow, a plan needs to be put into place because if he keeps up this toxic behavior, it’ll be the death of him.
After I get Carter back to my place, I strip him down to his boxers and have him climb in under my covers. I’m snuggled into his side, listening to his steady breaths and contemplating my next move when he speaks.
“I’m sorry you had to see me like this.”
“I’ve been there, Carter. I was taking pills and drinking myself to death. You don’t have to apologize to me. I just want you to be okay.”
He sighs. “Things aren’t good, B. I’m blowing every paycheck on drugs. I’m about to lose my place and still . . . I dunno.”
“How late are you on rent?” I ask, afraid to know the answer.
“Three months. I just got another eviction notice. I’ve been dodging my landlord.”
I blow out a deep breath, feeling for him. I’d just been in a similar situation myself, albeit not because of addiction—for once.
“If Drew finds out, he’s gonna kill me,” he murmurs.
“Well, then he can’t find out,” I say with a sense of determination.
Carter is my lifeline at Silver. I can’t lose him.
“We’ll figure it out. Tonight, sleep,” I instruct, and he does as I suggest.
Within minutes, he’s snoring into my ear, and as annoying as that would be any other night, it’s music to my ears tonight. Because that means he’s alive.
I can’t sleep, so I quietly exit the room and pad to the kitchen, grabbing my comfort food of Oreos and milk. Tonight has been a bit much, and I need something to calm my nerves. I dip the chocolate cookie into the chilled milk and allow it to sit for a few seconds. I count. One . . . two . . . three, finally lifting the cookie that’s falling apart. My lips wrap around the spoon, and I moan at the gooey goodness.
For these few minutes, I’m not thinking about pills and addiction. I’m not worried about losing another friend too soon. In the quiet of my little place, Oreo cookies in hand, I carry out my father’s and my tradition, and I’m able to escape the world. If only for a moment.
15
Bailey
I wake the next morning to a text from Drew. It’s an address with a simple command to be at the above location by eleven. Then another text comes through.
Drew: We will be working through lunch.
I groan. What have I gotten myself into?
I look down at Carter, who is curled in the fetal position and snoring away.
“What am I gonna do with you?” I say aloud.
It’s already nine, and I need to take a shower before meeting Drew. I turn on my computer and type in the address, trying to figure out where I’m meeting him. He didn’t give me any more details about where we were going, dress attire, etc.
I chew on my bottom lip when I see it’s an address for an upscale restaurant that, from what I’ve heard, serves an amazing brunch. Well, at least I’d be treated to some good food.
