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"But?"
"Erika," he said. "She...ah...she doesn't judge people. She doesn't judgeme."
I smiled. "You don't seem like such a bad guy," Isaid.
He straightened and looked me in the eyes. "Did you think I wouldbe?"
I shrugged. "I didn't know what to think," I admitted. "She hasn't had someone she's been so enamored with. I would really hate to see her heart broken." I took a breath and let my gaze remain on his. "She was talking about you two moving in together in a couple of months. I told her it was toosoon–"
"If that's what she wants, I'll do it," he said. "It's like I said, I care abouther."
"Then you don't want to lose her over something stupid, do you?" He blinked, startled by the concept that hecould.
"Let's say," I continued, "you had to go away and you couldn't tell her why. Would you lie to her and tell her you'd be back even though you didn't know if you ever would be? Would you want her to wait foryou?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," he snapped, his eyes growing cold. "I think it's time for me togo."
His long legs ate up the space between him and the front door. Without thinking, I stood up and pressed my back against it, putting a palm out to stophim.
"Wait!"
"What?" he snapped. I grabbed his arm, the one he had been scratching. Before he could stop me, I shoved his sleeve up to his elbow, revealing the track marks. He shoved away from me and jerked the sleeve back down over his arm. "What the fuck?! You know!" He took another step back as I reached for hisarm.
"I know it might seem impossible, but if you really care about her, and you don't want to hurt her," I said, "stay."
He grimaced. "That's not possibleanymore."
"It is." I clutched his sleeve. "What if you went to rehab? You could get better. It's like you said, she doesn't judge. I've known Erika my whole life. She's my bestfriend."
"Yea? Well, she'smy–"
"JC?" Erika's shaky voice grabbed our attention. She stood in the doorway to the kitchen with a dark-gray, duffle bag slung over one shoulder. "What's goingon?"
Josh pulled away from me, shaking me off. "Nothing, Baby. I gotta go." He strode towards her and accepted the duffle bag while leaning down to kiss hercheek.
She frowned, but let him. "When will I see you again?" sheasked.
"I don't know," he replied. "Probably not for a while. I'll call when Ican."
"Okay." I watched as Erika pulled into herself and moved away as Josh approachedme.
"Move," he ordered. I sighed, but steppedaside.
The door swung open and Knix, Texas, Marv, Bellamy, and Grayson all stood there. Knix had his hand raised toknock.
"Josh!" Grayson stepped forward as his brother moved back, startled. He bumped into me and the duffle bag dropped. The zipper burst, revealing a collection of expensive jewelry and little objects. Stuff that someone might take with them on a short vacation – gold watches and money clips, leather shoes for men that probably cost a couple thousanddollars.
"JC?" Erika stepped forward. "What is all thatstuff?"
Looking panicked, Josh looked at his brother before glancing at Erika. Almost as though he knew exactly what his brother was thinking, Grayson steppedforward.
"It's mine," he announced. "I asked my brother to hold onto some stuff I had while I moved out of our parents’ house. I didn't realize my brother was dating you,Erika."
I had almost forgotten that Erika and Grayson had met. It felt like years since we had all been in school together, when in actuality, it had only been last week. Erika smiled, but seemed confused as to why there were so many guys outside her frontdoor.
"Erika, these are some of my friends," Grayson's tone changed on the word 'friends’, becoming more forced. I smirked as he introduced Knix and the guys. Knix stayed planted firmly in front of the door, not allowing Josh tobolt.
"It's nice to meet you," Erika said. "Would you like to come in for something todrink?"
