Page 92 of Awakened in September (Sleepless November Saga 4)

right, eh?

I roll my eyes. I’m in no mood for his cocky ass attitude.

Me: Doesn’t matter. I mean it, just stop

dealing to her. I don’t give a fuck what

you do with anyone else, but keep it

away from her.

He doesn’t answer but I don’t expect him to. I go back inside and climb into bed, cuddling up next to my girlfriend who melts into my touch and moves closer to me. I kiss her head, allowing my lips to linger a bit longer than necessary. Anyone else would walk away when faced with an addiction on top of her eating disorder, but not me. I couldn’t leave her if I tried.

KAYLEIGH HUNCHES OVER THE toilet, spilling the contents of her stomach into it. I can only assume this is the effects of cocaine withdrawal. My hand rubs over her back while the other holds her hair out of the way. She’s utterly miserable, but while I hate seeing her like this, I know it’s for the best.

“Stop watching me. It’s gross.” She whines.

I chuckle softly. “Baby, you couldn’t be gross if you tried. I’m not going anywhere.”

After she finishes, she washes her face and turns to me – pouting. I coo at how adorable she looks and place a kiss to her forehead.

“I’m tired.”

“Come on.” I tell her. “Let’s get you back in bed.”

A FEW WEEKS LATER, things seem almost back to normal. Kayleigh isn’t throwing up anymore but something still feels off. She’s still just as distant than she was before. I took her out to dinner last night for Valentine’s day. As her present, I gave her a plane ticket to Miami over spring break and invited her to come with my family and me. I thought she would be excited, but instead she looked more panicked than anything. I brushed it off as her anxiety but I still can’t help but wonder what’s making her so closed off.

“Babe, I’ll be back in a little bit, okay?” She catches my attention while I’m in the middle of writing an essay.

I eye her suspiciously but mask it with a smile. “Where are you going?”

“Jade’s. She needs help with an assignment.”

Glancing out the window, I notice the rain pouring down. “How are you getting there? It’s raining.”

“It is?” She turns to look outside and groans. “I was going to walk.”

“I can drive you.” I suggest, closing my computer.

“No. That’s okay. I’ll just see if she can come get me.”

I shake my head. “Nonsense. I’m going to go pick up something for lunch anyway. I’ll drop you off on my way.” She looks unsure but ultimately agrees and thanks me.

The whole car ride to the dorms, Kayleigh sits in the passenger seat, fiddling with her sleeve. It’s clear she’s nervous but I have no idea why. I pull up to the front of the building instead of parking and she sighs in relief.

“Thanks again, babe.” She leans over and kisses me once.

“No problem. Let me know if you need me to pick you up.”

The second she disappears into the dorms, I drive around to the back and park – climbing out of my car and walking back around to the front. I stay completely out of view and watch the doors. It’s not that I want to spy on her like this, but I can feel in my gut something is up. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Kayleigh and the friend she refuses to emerge from the building. What are they up to?

I manage to discreetly follow them, hiding behind cars and trees as much as possible without looking like a total creep. Finally, when they reach their destination, it’s at a car in the back corner of the parking lot – a car I recognize. Kayleigh stands back a little as Jade does what I can only assume is a drug deal. After she’s done, the two of them happily walk away, smiling and laughing about something.

The second she’s out of hearing range, I go up to the car and bang my hand down on the back to stop it from leaving the spot. The driver’s side door opens. I waste no time in ripping Jordan from the car and slamming his back against it.

“Holden, what the fuck?!”

“I thought I told you to stop dealing to them you piece of shit!”

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