Page 30 of When We Fell Again
“Oh, sorry, Lex. Have you got someone here?” His eyes narrowed before his gaze went to the firmly shut bathroom door.
I forced a laugh. “When have I had the time to meet someone?” I bent down to pick up the offending item and tossed it into the open suitcase on the stand by the wall where all my other dirty washing was.
Taking what I’d said at face value, Levi nodded, then went to sit on the sofa. I went to join him, making sure I was covered up.
“You wanted to talk about Jordan?”
“Yeah. And, um, I wanted to apologise to you.” Levi hung his head. “I lashed out at you yesterday when all you were doing was looking out for him.”
It had been uncharacteristic behaviour for Levi to go off at me, and I appreciated his apology. “It’s fine.” I gave him a small smile.
“Thanks, Lex.” He nodded. “Have you spoken to Jordan at all?”
“About what?” I feigned innocence.
“Anything. I mean, I know you guys probably aren’t as close as you once were, but I thought he might come to you if he had any issues.”
He certainly didn’t have any issues last night, nor this morning.
I bit my lip. “You seemed to have the issue with us being together the other night.”
Levi hung his head. “I know and I’m sorry. We didn’t know where Jordan had got to, and before, if he disappeared, he came back off his face. None of us wanted a repeat of that.”
“That’s fair. But I don’t think he’ll go back there.” I didn’t want to break Jordan’s trust about everything he’d told me at the hospital, but Levi must have known most of it in any case. “He did share some stuff about rehab and what he’d witnessed with Dexter.”
Levi rubbed his hand over his chin. “That night will be etched into my memory forever, not least because of how Jordan reacted after Dexter was gone. I’ve never seen him so angry, upset, and out of control.”
Jordan had only alluded to what had happened after Dexter’s death, and I didn’t want Levi to tell me all the gory details.
“It must have been a lot for him to deal with.”
Levi nodded. “I’m glad you weren’t around to witness it. If I’m honest, it’s been one of the worst things to happen in my life, and I’m scared Jordan’s going to fall back into old ways.” He glanced over at the box of Jordan’s painkillers on the desk. “Like getting addicted to codeine.”
“If it’s any consolation, he hasn’t been to see me for them this morning.”
A stifled cough came from the bathroom, and Levi’s head spun around to stare at the door.
I waved a hand. “Honestly, the walls in this place are so thin. I swear I’ve heard the guy in the next room fart all night.”
“Hey, isn’t Robbie next door to you?”
“Do you think I’d be so stupid as to put him on the same floor as me?” I let out a laugh. “Don’t think I can’t remember how much he disturbed my sleep when I last stayed with you guys.”
Levi fiddled with a thread on the hem of his t-shirt. “I’m sorry I was off with you yesterday. You didn’t deserve it because I know you were only looking out for Jordan.”
I shrugged. “Hey, no biggie. I get it. What happened with Dexter has affected you all in different ways, and Jordan’s always had an addictive personality. Mix all of those elements together and it’s no wonder you think he’s going to go off the rails again.”
Levi raised a shy smile. “It’s weird having you around again, but somehow comforting at the same time.” He paused. “Well, I should go and get something to eat. What are you planning on doing today?”
I’d almost forgotten it was a free day. We didn’t have to travel and only had to get to the university to soundcheck later that afternoon. I could shop, sightsee, check out the spa, spend the day in bed with Jordan…
“I’ve got a few work things to do,” I said. “But I’ll see you at the soundcheck later.”
He leaned over and gave me an awkward hug. “Yep. And thanks again.”
We both stood up, and I let him out of the room. Leaning back against the door, I let out a relieved sigh.
“I’m glad you haven’t had time to meet anyone else.” Jordan leant on the frame of the bathroom door, fully dressed, except for his t-shirt, of course. “Congrats on the quick thinking there.” A wicked grin curved across his mouth.
