Page 104 of Fought and Freed

“I was going to talk to you about this tonight.” Cody hung his head. “He hasn’t shown up in the last two days, and before that, he was acting weird.”

Maddy’s brow popped up. “What do you mean by weird?”

“When he first started with me, he was a hard worker. No joking around. The last few days…” He ran his hand across his mouth. “His work has been shit, and he’s joking around all the time.”

He scowled. “The other day, he almost got Harry hurt, and I got angry and pinned him up against the wall. His eyes were blown and glassy. I’m sorry, Maddy, but I think he’s using again. And if he is, I can’t have him on my site.”

Maddy’s shoulder sank. “I was afraid this might happen. He wouldn’t tell me about who these friends were. All I can do is reach out to him. If he blows me off, then I can’t really do anything.”

Cody rubbed a hand up and down her back. “I’m sorry. I know you care about him, little one.”

She was sick about Grant. Was his relapse her fault? She’d promised him that she’d be there for him, but then she left for LA the first week they were out of rehab.

No, she wouldn’t blame herself for this. Cody was right, and Grant was an adult. Even if Maddy had stayed home, who’s to say that this same thing wouldn’t have happened?

“Jace, do you think you can finish the chicken noodle soup? I think I’m going to lie down with Ryder.” Maddy rubbed her temples. “I have a headache.”

She explained to Jace what needed to be done with the soup, then headed up to Ryder’s room. He was sitting up against his headboard, coughing his head off.

Maddy walked over to him. “Did you take the cough medicine?”

He shivered. “I just did. I hate that shit. It tastes awful.”

She nodded and crawled into bed, laying her head on his leg.

He played with her hair. “What’s wrong, Silk?”

Maddy closed her eyes. “Cody just told me he thinks Grant’s using again.”

Ryder stroked her arm. “Why does he think that?”

She explained everything that Cody had just told her downstairs.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Ryder got out before he had a coughing fit.

Maddy sat up. “Why don’t we take a steamy shower? Then, I’ll rub your chest with that stinky shit. I also made you chicken soup.”

Ryder’s nose wrinkled. “What stinky shit?”

Maddy shook her head. “I can’t remember what it’s called. They used to rub it on our chests when we were in the orphanage. It warms your chest up.”

His expression cleared. “Are you talking about Vicks VapoRub?”

“Is it greasy, smelly, and makes your nose tingle?” When Ryder nodded, she said, “Then, yes.”

He chuckled. “Sounds great, Silk.”

As she helped Ryder with his shower, he didn’t even try to touch her. He just leaned against the shower wall as she washed him.

Once she got him dried off, she rubbed Vicks on his chest, then they stacked the pillow up behind him on the bed, so his chest was elevated.

It took Ryder a while to calm his cough down, and Maddy wasn’t sure how long they slept before Jace shook her awake. By the concerned look on his face, something had happened.

When she peered up at Ryder, he was fast asleep, so she got up as quietly as possible and followed Jace out to the hall.

“I’m sorry to wake you, baby girl, but you left your phone downstairs, and it’s been going off.” Jace held up her phone. “It’s Torr. I didn’t want to answer it.”

Maddy rubbed her eyes. “Thanks. What time is it?”

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