Page 104 of Madden

“How do you think?” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “How would you handle a shitstorm like this?”

“Terribly, which is why I’m checking on you.” She crosses her arms and studies my face. “I’m the same way you’d be with me.”

She’s right. When she was admitted into the hospital, back before I knew the truth about her relationship with Tysin, I was next to her every step of the way. I would’ve never let her go through it alone, and I know she’s only trying to do the same.

“You know what? I think I’m more hurt about Brielle than I am any of this. I don’t give a shit about them breaking into my house and stealing my stuff. The drums and guitar piss me off, but I can replace them. All the damage in the house can be fixed. How am I supposed to fix the giant hole in my chest?”

“Have you talked to her at all? Maybe Ivy is right and this is all a misunderstanding.”

“It doesn’t matter now. And if it was, why couldn’t she come out and tell me herself? Why did I have to find out by reading an email?”

I scoff, stalking over to the refrigerator, and snatch a beer off the shelf. I untwist the cap and take a drink.

“It’s two o’clock in the afternoon,” Kyla mutters. She shakes her head, causing her purple hair pulled into a messy bun to bounce.

“I ain’t got shit to do around here. Who cares what time it is? If it helps me numb the pain and drown everything out, I’ll take it.”

“What should I do if she reaches out to me?”

I slam the bottle down and rest my palms on the counter. I let my head sag between my shoulders and shrug.

“She won’t,” I mutter. “I sent her away already. She’s too stubborn to try and fight it now.”

Kyla sighs. “Two stubborn people, a true love story.” She snickers.

I glance over at her, rolling my eyes, and push off the counter.

“If she does, I don’t want to hear about it. Better yet, let’s not talk about her at all anymore, okay? Leave me and the topic alone.”

I stalk out of the room, and she shouts behind me, “Okayyy, ya fuckin’ grump.”

That one manages to get me to crack a smile.

I’m a few beers deep when I hear a knock on the door. Abel must’ve let whoever it is past the gate. I swing it open to find Brix and Tysin standing on the front step, both wearing a smirk.

“Heard you could use some company.” Tysin grins, slinging his arm over Brix’s shoulders.

I guess I told Kyla not to talk to me about it, but I never specified getting the guys to leave me alone too.

“We’re here to kidnap you and haul your ass down to Whiskey Barrel,” Brix says, giving me a once-over before meeting my eyes. “I guess to get you more drunk than you already are.”

I haven’t showered all day, and no doubt my hair shows it. I didn’t sleep for shit last night either.

“Nuh-uh, I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

“Like hell you’re not. You wanna sit around and mope all night, you can do it from a barstool with us. C’mon, let’s go,” Brix urges.

I jerk my arm away and step back, shaking my head.

“We don’t have Trey here to help us, but if we need to, we’ll haul your ass out this door.”

No way will they accept no for an answer. I shake my head and concede. “Fine, give me a few to at least clean up. The last thing I need is another headline speculating I’m spiraling out of control after showing up disheveled at the bar.”

I move to shut the door on them, before one of them reaches their arm out to stop me. I don’t stick around to find out who, stalking up the stairs to wash my face and change.

The bar is quiet, and the crowd is thin, but it’s a Monday, after all.

Abel tagged along with us, muttering something about wanting to keep an eye out.

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