He snorts. “Nolan has never given a shit about the music. Not really. But Jude was a star...a bright one.” His gaze falls. “But now, he’s falling.”
My bottom lip trembles.
“And, honestly...I don’t know how much longer he’ll survive.”
The horrid truth of that twists violently in my stomach. “If we can’t get the cops involved...then we need to figure out a plan, Micah.”
His gaze snaps to mine.
“Heather’s a nurse,” I start, wetting my lips. “Maybe if we can get you guys out somewhere to detox, then you’ll be free of their, um, chemical hold on you. I’m sure she’ll take the time off work and help us.”
“She’s sweet. And so are you.” He huffs. “Honestly though, that sounds like shit. But you’re right.”
I let out a breath. “Okay, that’s a great start.”
“But there’s something else,” he interrupts. “They have so much dirt on Jude that he’d go to prison for life. He’s protected me from doing the worst, but if they release what they have on him...he’s fucked.”
My stomach clenches. My mouth opens and shuts.
He sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “Look, I’m so sorry thatthisis how you’re finding out about, um, everything.”
I lean into him even more since my head is spinning. “How can we stop it? What can we do?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know, Emma. But we need to figurethatpart out before we detox. They could release it while we’re too sick to defend ourselves. And you could get caught up in this, too. It would ruin your life.”
I chew my lip, wracking my brain for possible solutions. “I’ll think of something. Let me.”
His brows pull together.
“And when I do, you’re going to have to trust me.”
The room is dark except for the soft glow from the TV, its low volume filling the silence. Micah’s passed out on the other bed, the rise and fall of his chest steady and calm. I’m laying here, watching Jude, feeling every twitch of his body and every shallow breath.
He shifts, dragging himself closer, sliding under the blankets beside me. I feel his warmth instantly against my arm. Hisheadrests against my shoulder, and I can feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
“Hey,” I murmur softly, brushing a strand of hair from his face. His eyes open just a crack, glinting in the faint light.
“I…” he starts, voice hoarse, and then stops. He’s exhausted and broken. My heart tightens.
“I’m here,” I whisper. “Just breathe. You’ve been sleeping for a while.”
He leans into me, his body heavy but seeking comfort, and begins running his fingers through my hair. I shiver under the touch, the familiarity of it breaking something open inside me. And I have to bite back more tears because apparently, I can’t stop crying tonight.
“I didn’t want you to see me like this,” he says, voice cracking. “But I need you to know. I...I can’t do this anymore. Not when you’re in my life again. I don’t know what to do.”
I press my hand to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. “You don’t have to explain everything, Jude. Just...please rest.”
He exhales, and I feel him relax slightly against me. Then, ever so gently, he kisses my shoulder. The warmth of his lips, the softness, sends a jolt through me. It’s so tender and loving that it makes my heart flip.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs into my skin, his voice almost a whisper.
“For what?” I breathe.
He chuckles. “For not telling you the truth. For dragging you into...all of this. I should have told you to fuck off the moment you came looking for me.”
I shake my head, holding him closer. “You don’t have to apologize for that, Jude. I’ve got you. Always. And you know damn well I wouldn’t have left you alone.”
He presses a soft, lingering kiss to my collarbone, letting his hand stroke my hair in gentle, calming motions. I feel theexhaustion in him, the weight of guilt, but also the relief—finally,he’s letting someone in, even just a little. His breathing evens out against my shoulder, warm and steady. The room is lit only by the glow of the muted TV, flickering blues and grays across the sheets.