Page 50 of Fractured Frets

He tucked his key chain into my hand. I froze, knowing what it was. To the average person it would look like a small metal LED torch, but inside it was a vial of cocaine.

“Blake.” Fear cinched around my heart as I shoved it back at him. “I don’t do that shit anymore.” Not since...shit...New Year’s.

“You and I both know that’s not true.” He smirked as he pushed my hand back toward me. “It’s just a little pick-me-up. The next few days are overloaded. After London and Edinburgh, we won’t be so busy.”

I closed my eyes and swayed on my feet. I clutched the torch in my hand. My heart skipped a beat and shuddered. Fuck...I loved cocaine. The high. The burst of energy. The kick of adrenaline. The rush through my body. The tingle when I’d rubbed it on my gums.

Sweat broke out on the back of my neck. I fought this craving every day, afraid that if I took another hit, I’d want another and wouldn’t be able to stop. “Blake. No. I can’t.”

“It’s just for tonight.” His tone punched low in my guts. “We’ll get that hip and back looked at again. We need a good show, Slip. The others feed off your energy.”

Nothing like more pressure. “I don’t need this shit to do that.” I slapped the key chain against his chest.

“Keep it.” He pushed my hand away again and patted my shoulder. “Just in case.”

I stared at the fake torch in my palm. I rolled it this way and that. The white powder called to me. Coaxed me. Tempted me until my veins burned. A fevered rush shot through my system. My pulse thudded in my head. Fuuuuck! No. No. NO! I crushed the torch into my fist, then tucked it in the pocket of my jeans.

Think of Maddy. The guys.

I don’t need this shit.

We hit the stage, and I gave the audience one hell of a show. I wanted to take it easy, but the electric energy of the crowd and our music overtook me. I jumped and rushed around the stage, ripping up every song on my guitar. I loved performing. The guys beside me. The adoration from the audience.

It’d have been even better if Maddy was there.

Watching me.

Waiting for me offstage.

We hit our amped up rock hit. Sweat soaked my hair, saturated my leather vest, and slicked my skin. The adrenaline coursing through my veins, powered every jump and skip, and overruled the pain in my hip. Cole slammed out the beat on his drums. Lewis set the rhythm with his bass. I slayed my electric as Flint took to the mic.

I think I’m losing it, losing it,

Over all these feelings I have for you.

I’ve never felt like this, felt like this,

My mind is always stuck on you.

I think I’m losing it, losing it,

And I want to come back for more.

And more, and more.

You’re like a fix to me, fix to me,

Come on and give me my next high.

Come on and give me all your lovin’,

Give me all your lovin’,

Because I want to do the same to you.

You tempt me like blazing fire, blazing fire,

Fill me with hot desire, all for you.

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