“Go on ahead, Cade,” Donna said. “We’llcatchup.”
“Jude," Cade said, shaking Jude's shoulder, "they have a whole line of payphones, you can call Zoey. When was the last time you talked toher,man?”
“Zoey?” Jude said,perkingup.
“Drink this,” Donna said as she handed Jude a bottle of beer with a larger white pill. “It’ll help wakeyouup.”
“Thanks,” Jude said as he swallowed the pill then drank down thebottle.
* * *
Sittingat the back of the bus, Jude lit a joint. Donna introduced him to smoking pot to ‘even him out’ as she put it. It definitely worked, he was feeling much better. He hadn’t been writing so much or thinking about Zoey. It was better this way, everything else was really bumming him out. He always felt so much. Being numb and calm was muchbetter.
“This is our last show, Jude,” Cade said as he sat beside him. “Did you talktoZoey?”
“Zoey? No, she’s fine. She’s busy with school and I’ll see herinLA.”
“Do you even know wherewe’reat?”
“What difference does it make?” Jude said. “All these cities are the same. I just need to kick ass onstage.”
“When was the last time you spoketoher?”
“Just the other day, right afterVegas.”
“Right after Vegas? Jude, do you realize—” Cade stopped and shook his head. “You have no idea what you have with her. She’s too good for you. You’re messed up right now and maybe that’s my fault because I should’ve stopped this, but you’re a grown man, Jude. Actlikeit.”
“What do you care, Cade?” Jude said. “Like you’re the model citizen with your chicks under the stage. I’ve had to make my solos longer just so you have enough time to get yourrocksoff.”
“It’s different. You have someone. I don’t. If I was with Zoey, things would be different. I wouldn’t be getting drunk or high every day. I wouldn’t be under the stage with whatever pussy I could shove mycockinto.”
“You know I’ve been faithful, Cade. Zoey’s my girl. I haven’t done anything todisrespecther.”
“But you haven’t spoken to her inweeks.”
“Has it been that long?” Jude asked before looking off into the distance, then focusing back on Cade. “What the fuck do you care anyway? Why are you so interested inmylife?”
“Because I love her, okay? I’m in love with your girlfriend. And if you’re not going to treat her the way she should be treated, then maybe you should let her go so she can behappy.”
Jude stared at Cade. He wanted to punch his smug little face so bad, sunglasses and all, but deep down he knew Cade was right. The drugs, the booze, all of it he let take control, and he didn’t even know where they were anymore or what day it was.Had it really been weeks since he last spoketoZoey?
The bus jerked as it stopped in front of the red painted building on the corner. The sidewalk was crowded with people lined up to get into the club and to meet the band as they exited the bus. Jude, one of the last people off the bus, stumbled as he stepped onto the sidewalk but was caught by a pretty black-hairedgirl.
“Whoa, you okay?” sheasked.
“Huh? Zoey? What are you doing here?” Jude said. “Did you come to surprise me? It’s so great to seeyou,baby.”
Slipping his arms around her, he leaned on her for support and she shovedhimaway.
“What are you talking about? What’s going on?” Zoey said. “Look at that building, don’t you know whereyou’reat?”
Jude looked at the red building at the corner and shrugged. “I lost track. I think I remember Cade saying something aboutTexas.”
“You’re home. Look, Jude. The Whiskey? Where you always dreamed of playing? And where you’re apparently too fucking gone to even know you’re at? I can’t believe this! All this time I tried convincing myself you missed me and had your reasons for not calling. Now I see whattheywere.”
Zoey turned and walked away from him, pushing her way through the crowd as she went. Jude clumsily chased after her. Everything rushed back and cleared his head. The red of The Whiskey practically blinded him, and he wondered how he could let himself getsobad.
“Zoey!” he called after her. “Please,Zoey,wait!”