Page 80 of The Addict

I could feel my heart aching. A broken, throbbing wreckage of a heart. “I screamed for you!”

Damian rocked me gently. “I wasn’t there, little brother. I was never there when it happened.”

“You’re lying!”

“I swear to you,” he clutched me tighter. “I swear that if I had been there, I would have made sure you never went through any of that. I would have protected you.”

I could hear Damian’s shaking breath. “I love you.”

I wanted to believe him.

More than anything.

Chapter twenty-one

Alex

NOAH

“You’re not going to school today, either?”

“No.”

“You’ve missed about three days since the withdrawal...”

“Yeah.”

“Staying in bed all day?”

“Yes.”

“Listen Noah, I’m sorry about–”

“It’s fine Alex. You don’t have to explain.”

“I’m just trying to help you.”

“...”

“You are my best friend after all.”

“I know.”

I was fourteen.

Alex stared at me quizzically. I had seen that look before.

Crap. I did it again, didn’t I?

“Dammit, uh– I’m sorry,” I mumbled, turning away.

“Sorry...?” Alex questioned, touching his mouth in shock. “You kissed me.”

“I-I know. My bad.”

I flinched at the hand placed on my shoulder. “Dude, is there something you’re not telling me?”

I shook my head, still unwilling to meet his gaze.