Page 118 of Fractured Frets

“It has to be.” She toyed with the ends of my hair. “If he wants to tour again, he has to rein it in. Or he’ll have to give it up.”

“I don’t want him to give up music.” I shook my head and sniffled. Music was who he was.

“Then don’t let him.”

“It was never supposed to be like this.” I blew my nose into the tissue and grabbed another one. “All we do is stress. We had it so good before we got married.”

“You can get back there and have an amazing life together.” Reassurance set in her tone. “But it will take time and work. If he’s who you want, you’re going to have to fight for him, trust him, and stand by him every step of the way. Give him your all and I know he’ll do the same.”

My chest constricted, jolting my ribs. “I’ve lived with Mom being hooked on prescription meds and alcohol for years. I can’t deal with Slip too.” It was beyond frustrating and heartbreaking when she never admitted she had a problem.

“Then it’s over.” Sadness swept through Sutton’s voice as her shoulders slumped.

I scrunched my eyes closed. My head throbbed.

Shit. I didn’t want that. Do I?

Like Slip, I’d held on, waiting to be together. I’d held onto the way he made me feel when we were together. I wanted that. So was I prepared to walk away from him when we hadn’t had a chance to see if we could work?

No.

I wasn’t a quitter.

Did I have the strength to support him? If he genuinely wanted to get better, get off the drugs...then yes.

Rather than doubt, I had to believe. He wasn’t with Harper. He only loved me. If Slip and I were going to make this marriage work, we needed to be there for each other. I was hanging by a tattered thread too. I hoped Slip’s hadn’t totally been severed. There was only one way to find out if we could salvage what we had. “I don’t want us to end. I’m only here for tonight. I need to go see him so we can sort things out.”

“You sure?” Worry creased her brow. “Maybe you should wait a few more hours. Give him time to calm down.”

“No. Time isn’t on my side this visit.” I sat upright and wiped my cheeks dry with my fingertips. “We’ll be fine.” Hopefully.

“Okay.” Sutton gave me a hug. “But not until you eat something.”

My stomach cramped, agreeing.

Lewis returned with a plate loaded with food and a glass of juice. He handed them to me, then scurried off. Sutton stayed with me while I nibbled on some crackers, a small piece of cake, and some carrot sticks and nuts.

Voices scampered through my head like beetles as I took another bite of cake. That’s full of sugar. You don’t need that. That’s enough, fatty. I pursed my lips and pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind. I had to get better too. I took a sip of juice to wash down the food, then turned to Sutton. “I’m sorry for ruining your party.”

“You haven’t.” She rubbed my knee. “You’re more important than some party. We’re family. We’re going to get through this together.”

I nodded, brushing the crumbs from the corners of my mouth. “Thank you. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

But as I nibbled on a cracker and stared out the window across the garden, Harper stood with Sloane by the side gate. He was officially on duty, but they were talking. She was blushing. Touching his shirt. Then she kissed him.

“Holy shit.” I pointed. “Slip was telling the truth. Harper is with Sloane.”

“Wow. Really?” Sutton gaped. “I’ve seen them talking but didn’t know they were into each other. Damn...they kinda look cute together.”

Sloane was built like a black Mack truck, and Harper was a slender, glamorous blonde. He could break her with a squish of his hand. Hmmm...That had some merit. But no. Be nice.

“See, Mads?” Sutton nudged my arm. “Everyone can move on. Even Harper. So can you.”

After eating two small crackers, half the tiny cake, one carrot stick, and a few nuts, and drinking all the juice, I’d had enough. “Sutt, I have to go.”

“Okay. You call me if you need me.”

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