Page 121 of Fractured Frets

But before I could move, she reversed, squealing the tires on the epoxy floor, and sped off.

“MADDY! NO!” I fell to my knees in the middle of the garage.

Her Audi disappeared down the street.

I clutched at my hair and screamed. “Fuuuuuck!”

Thisisn’thappening. Thisisn’thappening. Thisisn’thappening.

My head throbbed. My heartbeat thundered at a dangerous pace. Instead of feeling high and alive, everything crashed around me.

Panic seized my chest, my ribs, my breath.

I’d just lost the woman I loved.

What the fuck had I done?

Chapter 34

SLIP

Drugs fuddled with my brain. Stars swirled before my eyes. A piercing ring sounded in my ears.

Maddy had left me...just like she’d done in the morning after our wedding. This time with a valid reason. I’d gotten high and scared her...again. I leaned back on my haunches and screamed at the garage roof. “AAAARGH!”

I’d broken too many promises and let her down. I’d never wanted to do that. I’d fed her insecurities just by innocent association with Harper. Her lack of trust had fed my own doubts about not being good enough. We’d set ourselves on a vicious, never-ending cycle. It had to end. But the only one to blame for this shit fest was me.

I had to apologize.

Beg forgiveness.

Sort my shit out.

As my breath rushed in and out of my lungs, I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and called her. No answer. I texted her:

Me: I’m sorry. So sorry.

Please forgive me.

I’ll get better.

I promise.

I got no reply.

I wouldn’t have talked to me either.

But I needed someone who would. I scrolled through my speed-dial numbers and hit Lewis’s name.

He answered within two rings. “Yo. What’s up?”

“Help. She’s gone. Maddy’s gone.”

“Gone where?” Terror shook his voice. “As in, she’s dead, or just taken off?”

“What the fuck? No...she’s just taken off. I ruined everything.” I wiped my clammy palm down my sweaty face. “I’m pretty fucked up right now on coke. I messed up everything. Please. Come.”

“Yep. I’m on my way.” Urgency shot through his voice. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”