Page 33 of Close to Falling

“Let me clean this,” I say.

“Nah,” he tells me, turning to spit again before taking another hit.

“River.”

He walks down the porch steps and takes a seat. Running a hand through his hair again, his eyes look up to the night sky.

“Pops is working on getting me a job down at the docks.”

“Okay, what’s so bad about that?” I ask, walking down and sitting beside him.

“Nothing. Landon is just paranoid,” he says, darting his tongue out to touch his lips.

I eye him carefully. “Landon is never paranoid.” River turns his head my way. “Tell me what is really going on.” He looks from my eyes to my lips and then turns away.

“I’ll be making quick cash. I can get us out of here and get you in school to do something with your art. I want to take care of you, B.”

I sigh, getting frustrated. “I’ve told you already. I have plenty of money. You don’t need—”

“And I’ve told you… You won’t be using any of that!” he says, jumping up. “I’m not having this fucking argument with you. I’m taking the job, and I’m going to get us out of here. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“Well, I do. If this was no big deal and you’re not up to no good, then why keep it from me?”

“Because I was waiting to hear from Pops and know it was a sure thing.”

“River, why are you talking to him? I’ve heard the stories about him. I’ve heard about the people he is mixed up with. I’m not stupid, and this is a small town.”

“Maddie,” River says, rubbing his eyes. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” He flicks his smoke out into the yard and then walks up the steps. I watch as his cigarette still burns, and smoke twirls upward. I run a hand through my hair and get up, too. Walking into the yard, I stomp hard on the butt and make my way back inside. Opening the door, I see Landon sitting on the couch, one elbow on the arm and a hand resting on his lap. He looks over at me.

“You’re fucking up, B,” he says.

“Landon, don’t,” I say, already tired of this conversation.

“No, listen to me. River talking to Pops is not a good thing. Those boys down at the docks are part of the Brothers. Pops is a part of the Brothers, Maddie."

“How do you know for sure?” I ask.

“I just know, okay. Look, it’s our job to watch out for you, and what River is about to get into is not something you need to be anywhere near.”

“Who assigned you this job?” I ask. “Because the last time I checked, I can take care of myself. Why the hell do you all feel the need to take care of me and make decisions for me?”

“Because we are family, and that’s what family does.”

I sigh and walk over to sit down beside him. “Landon, I love you. I know you mean well, but I have to figure this out on my own. There’s so much you don’t know. River has helped me.”

“You mean the drugs?” he asks. “River tells me a lot. I know about you and Cali taking those pills.” I’m not completely shocked that he knows. They do talk, and I’m sure Landon is hurt that River has kept our relationship from him.

“So you know he helped me get clean.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know firsthand what an addict looks like. You know damn well you haven’t completely stopped. I’ve seen you pop one or two myself when River is at work.”

“Shut up, Landon,” I say, giving him a hard look and casting my eyes to the stairs.

“You have a problem, B, and you need more than River Dawson to save you.”

***

“The Brothers?” Ellie questions.

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