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“Are you saying it’s my fault?” I flatten my palm against my chest and smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“No. Well, maybe a little.” He grins. “They arrested Holly.”
“Good,” I say, not trying to hide the disdain in my voice. The longer I sat out here the more pissed off I became about what happened. I still can’t believe that asshole had the balls to put his hands on Brittany with her entire family in the house.
“How’s Brittany?”
“Pissed.” He shrugs. “She did finally admit that he hit her and apparently it’s not the first time.”
“I don’t get it. Why was she trying to protect him?” I question, shifting sideways in my chair.
“Well that’s just it. I don’t think it was him she was trying to protect, it was herself.”
“I’m confused.”
“Apparently Holly isn’t just Brittany’s boyfriend. He’s also her H dealer.”
“H?” I question.
“Heroin.”
“Wait, so Brittany?” I let the question hang.
“Is a Heroin addict.”
“But she doesn’t look anything like an addict.” Sure, she’s a little less put together than the rest of her family but I never would have pegged her as a druggie. Holly, yes. Brittany, no.
“She’s only been using about three months. I get why it would be hard for you to tell because this is the first time you’ve met her, but I could tell something was off.”
“God, Hudson, I’m so sorry.” I reach over and grab his hand.
“Apparently Holly got her hooked. I knew he was bad news. We all did. We tried for weeks to talk her out of moving to Arkansas with him but she claimed she was in love and refused to listen to reason. I was shocked that they actually showed tonight. It’s the first time she’s been back to Texas in over a year. Now it all makes sense.”
“What does?”
“She was here for money.”
“Did she admit all this?”
“Not in so many words, but yes. The police found drugs and drug paraphernalia in Holly’s car when they searched it. She didn’t have a choice but to admit she has a problem after that.”
“Where is she now?”
“Upstairs with Kelly and Sara. They’re going to stay with her tonight. My parents are going to see about getting her checked into a rehab facility. She doesn’t want to go, claims she’s in control and there isn’t a problem, but of course that’s what most addicts say.”
“Can they force her to go?”
“No, but I think my mom is hoping that the other two girls can convince her. Growing up they were all thick as thieves. I know Brittany still values what they have to say. Maybe they can get through to her.”
“I hope so.”
“Me too.” He leans forward, resting his elbows just above his knees. “Welcome to the Demasi household,” he says with mock cheer.
“It’s not a real family get together until a fight breaks out and someone goes to jail.” I laugh.
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?” I ask, squirming slightly under the sudden intensity of his gaze.
