Page 64 of Justus
Nodding,she gives me a small smile. “Justus is lucky to have you.” Without waiting forme to reply, she heads to the kitchen.
Justusis snoring loud enough to wake the dead when I grab his phone from the dresser.I’m glad he doesn’t lock it, and the rehab center is his last incoming call, soit’s easy for me to call them back. When I explain the situation, the ladysounds relieved and asks if I can drive Hannah back.
Hannahis in the kitchen, nibbling on a peanut butter sandwich when I return. “I’lldrive you back after you’re done eating,” I tell her.
“They’lllet me back in?” she says, her voice a mixture of surprise and hope.
“Yes,they understand this is a unique situation. You didn’t run looking for drugs.”
Sheshakes her head. “I don’t ever want to take that shit again. I never did.”
“Iknow. Let’s get you back.”
ChapterFourteen
Justus
Fuck.My mouth feels like someone shoved a wad of cotton in it and my head is full ofwasps. What the hell did I do?
Hannah!
Theroom spins when I jerk upright and I barely make it to the bathroom before thealcohol from last night makes a reappearance. A bottle of water appears infront of me as I flush the toilet and sit back against the tub.
“Thanks,”I mumble, my voice full of gravel.
Sadiesits across from me and judging from the dark smears beneath her eyes, shedidn’t get much sleep last night. “I’m all right. You don’t have to babysit.”
“Kindof late for that,” Tucker snorts from the doorway. “I’m going to go, Sadie.Ayda wants you to give her a call, let her know everything’s okay.”
“Iwill. Thanks for staying, Tucker.”
“Shit.I don’t even remember coming home,” I admit.
“What’sthe last thing you remember?”
“Gettingthe call about Hannah. Then we were in a cab?” I scramble to my feet andinstantly regret it. My head throbs in time with my heart and the room shiftsagain. “I have to call them.”
“Relax,Jus, she’s fine. She went back last night,” Sadie says, grabbing my hand andleading me back to the bedroom.
Myhead jerks up. “Really?”
“Yes.”She throws a pair of my underwear at me. “Go take a shower. You smell likesugary sweat. Then I’ll tell you everything.”
“Wayto sugarcoat it, Sweets,” I laugh, dragging my ass to the shower. I’m relievedthat Hannah went back, but I want to know why she left in the first place. Wasshe looking for a fix? Are they mistreating her? Is she that miserable there?
Fuck.I knew this wasn’t going to be easy and she isn’t even out of rehab yet. What’sit going to be like when I have to watch her all the time? Between strippingand ISH, I don’t have a lot of time to spend with Sadie as it is. I could giveup the stripping. I have more money saved than I’ll ever need, but it hasbecome a part of me, of who I am. Who am I if I’m not the sexy stripper who canpick up any chick he wants?
ButI don’t want anyone else. If that was the only thing standing between us, I’dgive it up without a second thought, but it isn’t.
There’sHannah. My sister has been through so much in her short, miserable life, andI’ve failed her over and over. I won’t let it happen again. Hannah has to comefirst, but it isn’t fair to Sadie. She shouldn’t have to deal with this aftereverything with her mom. She should be out having fun, hanging out with friendsand enjoying herself, not tied down to a guy who can’t put her first. Thethought of being without her sends a spike of panic through me, but I know it’sfor the best.
Hotwater rains over me, taking the stink of the night before down the drain, andI’m left feeling vaguely human again. After overcoming obstacles I thought wereinsurmountable, my relationship with Sadie is going to fail because of fuckingtiming. I got both things I’ve always wanted; my sister back and a woman wholoves me for me. It just had to happen at the same damn time.
Hannahhas to come first.
Sadiesits at the kitchen table and gestures to a plate of muffins. “I already ate.Figured you wouldn’t be able to eat much this morning.”
“Thanks,”I mumble, grabbing a muffin and taking a bite. It may as well be made ofcardboard. I have absolutely no appetite. Sadie looks so beautiful sittingacross from me, a little smile on her face. She has no idea I’m about to hurt herand destroy myself. “We can’t see each other anymore,” I blurt.
