Page 36 of 4-Ever

“Shit, what happened?”

“I don’t know. I’ll be there shortly.”

I pulled out of Faise’s driveway, hitting the accelerator hard.

When I arrived ten minutes later at Brodie’s, he welcomed me inside.

“I hope I’m not interrupting—” I started.

“No way.” Brodie replied as he started walking towards his living room. “I always have time for you. Is Faise all right?”

I shook my head and leaned against the doorjamb.

“He wouldn’t let me in the house. Said he’s seeing someone. And he won’t take my calls or texts. This past month has been—” I paused, completely out of breath. “He told me we shouldn’t spend so much time together.”

“What?” Brodie stopped short and turned around to face me.

He looked as shocked as I felt.

“Do you think he’s using and trying to hide it?” he asked.

I walked over and sat down on the sofa, staring out the window. “No, I don’t think so. He looked fine the last time we were in the studio. Why? Have you noticed anything?”

“No. He seems quieter, maybe, but there’s been no mood swings, not like before.” Brodie joined me and sat down. “And he claims he’s seeing someone? Since when?”

I nodded, feeling like I might throw up again.

“A few weeks. Why wouldn’t he tell me before today? We don’t keep shit like that from each other. He’s never—” I started, my hands shaking. “What if he meant what he said? I can’t lose him, Dee.”

“Hey, you’re not gonna lose him. It’s Faise. He’d never do that to you.”

“He’s doing it now.”

I couldn’t even believe it.

Brodie sighed and ran a hand through his dark curls. “I’ll go over and see him tomorrow. Maybe he’ll talk to me. Or Holls. It’s worth a shot.”

“Thanks.”

“You want a drink?” Brodie asked. “I know I could use one.”

“You? What’s up with you?”

“Nothing. Just another disagreement with Van.”

“Anything the rest of us should be concerned about?”

“Nope.” He looked away and bit his lower lip. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Do you mind if I stay here for a bit? Crash? I don’t want to go home,” I confessed.

“’Course. Let’s have a drink and watch mindless reality TV shows.”

His phone buzzed and he glanced at it. “It’s Holls. He’s on his way over.”

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

“That was fast.”

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