Page 101 of Follow the Rhythm
“That’s not fair,” Charlie said, but Kieran cut him off.
“What are you talking about?”
Ellis leaned forward and pressed his fists to his forehead. “I gave him the drugs. He said he wanted to go out to celebrateReward,and I didn’t tell you. And then when I left…” He looked up, his face white and pained. My heart broke for him. “I swear I didn’t know why. But he asked for them, and I didn’t say no. It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry, Kier.”
The silence afterwards was like the ringing echo after a gunshot. Ellis wrapped his arms tightly around himself, breathing shallowly, trying to contain the grief that wanted to spill out. Charlie had his hand on the nape of Ellis’s neck, rubbing soothing circles. I slid my palm into Kieran’s hand and squeezed. My stomach had hollowed out with dread.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Kieran asked into the silence.
“Because I’m a fucking coward, obviously,” Ellis said, with an edge to his voice. “I figured I could punish myself enough. But I should’ve been honest.”
“Yeah, you should have,” Kieran said, his voice harsh with emotion. “But not so I couldpunishyou. For fuck’s sake, Ellis. I could have helped you. We could have helped each other.”
Ellis heaved a breath. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sod this,” Kieran said and stood abruptly. I thought for a moment he was leaving, but he hauled Ellis out of his seat and into a rough hug. “You aren’t any more to blame than me.”
Ellis clutched at the back of his shirt for a moment, and when they broke apart, his eyes found mine. They seemed more brilliantly blue than ever.
“I owe you an apology, too. There’s no excuse for how I’ve treated everyone, but I thought I was protecting you from my mess.” He looked so earnest and genuine, like the Ellis I remembered.
I couldn’t help myself any longer. I pushed through Kieran and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face into his chest. He let out a little “oof,” then circled me with his arms, too. His scent surrounded me, familiar and strange all at the same time.
“I forgive you,” I murmured. “Just don’t fucking do it again, okay?”
He buried his face in my hair. “I won’t. I promise.”
I nodded into his chest, then pulled back. He smiled crookedly down at me, his eyes still red rimmed, and he took my breath away, just like he did when I was seventeen.
“Friends?” he asked, tapping my shoulder with his finger.
My heart sank, but I smiled instead. “Friends.”
“There’s one more thing,” Ellis said, looking back at Kieran. “I negotiated for the rights toReward. I couldn’t get the masters for the other albums, but they can’t sue anyone for the leak now.”
Kieran stared at him. “How the hell did you manage that?”
“He sold his soul,” Charlie said with an ironic smile. “Three solo albums, with a recoupment clause that includes all the lost tour revenue. I told him it was a terrible idea, but he insisted.”
“Jesus, Ellis. You didn’t have to do that,” Kieran said.
“Yeah, I did,” Ellis said.
After that, things were easier. Kieran called Johnny back in and told him and his lawyer to fuck off. I took spiteful pleasure in the bewildered look on Johnny’s face.
We agreed to walk to a diner down the street to finish talking. Somehow, I ended up walking with Charlie.
“So, you and Ellis?” I asked, not sounding as casual as I wanted.
He smiled sheepishly. “It kind of just happened. I don’t think either of us planned on it.”
“Well. Congratulations,” I said, my voice clipped.
He smiled even wider. “Wait. Are you jealous?”
My heart skipped a beat. “No. Absolutely not. Jealous? Please. Why would I be jealous?”
“Sure, very convincing.” Charlie didn’t even have the decency to keep a straight face.
