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Without looking back at Adelaide, I head to where I got ready. Normally I’d soldier through. I never want to be known as hard to work with. That tanks careers in this industry. But it’s been three months since Lilah left for rehab and she’s been on my mind a lot.
I haven’t heard from anyone at the rehab about my monthly visit. Usually by now, Ruth would have contacted me to let me know I’m able to visit. Which makes me think maybe Lilah’s seeing my apology in a different light now and has decided Iamto blame. Maybe she no longer wants to see me.
That fear keeps me up at night, sipping on whiskey to relax my mind enough to fall asleep.
I sit in the makeup chair and check my phone to see if I’ve missed any calls while I was on set. There’s nothing but a text message from Tripp, asking if I’m up for a night on the town tonight.
As if. I haven’t done much since Lilah’s overdose. Everything I do is mostly business-related stuff that I can’t weasel out of.
My thumbs are on my phone to respond to Tripp when heels click behind me. I glance up through the mirror to see Adelaide approaching. We formed a definite friendship while working on the film and I’m sure she’s only trying to be a good friend right now, but I really wish she’d leave me alone. Didn’t I say I needed a break?
“Hey,” I say.
She comes to stand beside me and watches me in the mirror. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. It seems like maybe something is bothering you.” Adelaide’s assessing eyes meet my gaze.
“I’m good.”
Her lips tip down in the corner. “If you say so…” She lets her sentence hang there, waiting to see if I’ll offer her more information.
I do need to talk to someone about Lilah. Tripp has never been on #TeamLilah, even though he seems to respect the fact that she’s getting help for her issues. Adelaide and I have developed a friendship and she is a good listener.
I shift in my seat so I’m facing her and place my phone on the makeup table in front of me. “I’m concerned about Lilah is all.”
Adelaide’s shoulders sag right before a concerned look appears in her eyes. She leans in and covers my hand with hers. “How is she doing in rehab?”
“That’s the thing. I wouldn’t know. I mean, she’s still there, so that has to account for something, right?”
She nods.
“Normally by now I’ve gotten a phone call to arrange my visit, but so far I’ve heard nothing. It’s making me crazy, wondering whether maybe she doesn’t want to see me for some reason.” I’m not going to get into our history together with Adelaide, but I’ve said enough to give her an idea of what’s going on.
“Why wouldn’t she want to see you? From everything I’ve seen, you’ve been nothing but a rock for her.” She squeezes my hand.
“Trust me when I say she definitely has her reasons.”
“Maybe she’s just going through a hard time there and they—”
Adelaide’s attempt at making me feel better is interrupted by my phone vibrating on the table. I grab it, and relief mixed with uncertainty wraps around me when I see the rehab’s number on the screen.
“That’s the rehab place. Give me a minute?”
She presses her lips together and nods, turning to walk away.
I don’t wait for her to be out of earshot before I slide my thumb to the right. “Hello?”
“Jimmy, hey.”
Adrenaline surges through my veins when Lilah’s voice sounds through the phone. “Hey, you. How are you?”
“Good. I’m good… actually, that’s why I’m calling.”
I’m on alert with the hesitation and unsureness in her voice. “What’s going on?” I lean forward and rest my elbows on the makeup table, looking between my legs at the concrete floor.
“I’m coming home… well, see that’s the problem. I don’t really have a home and I’m not sure where I should—”
“I’m your home.” I shake my head. I don’t want to pressure her, if she’d rather me pay for a place. “I mean, my house is open.”
A rush of breath leaves her. “Are you sure? I was hoping you’d offer, but after everything that happened, I wasn’t sure whether that would be okay, or what your… situation is right now…”
