Page 48 of Lost Boy

“Hey,” I say, nodding.

She stands. “Hi. I rode here with Sutton, but she has plans with my brother. Can I catch a ride with you?”

Turning my head to look around, I blow out a breath and run my hand over my head. “Watson should be coming by soon. Maybe he could give you a ride?” I look at her, touching her cheek with my fingertips, feeling her soft skin. “Sorry, babe. I just have a few places I need to go—that’s all.”

“I’ll go with you then,” she says, her voice as soft as silk and so sweet. “I don’t mind a bit. I can even sit in the truck while you go wherever you need to.”

“Uh, well … it’ll take a while. I think—”

“Cade!” a voice yells behind me, and when I turn, it’s Poppy. “Cade! I need to talk to you.”

“Nice,” Haley mutters. “Really nice.”

When Poppy looks at Haley, I can tell she’s nervous. “Um, can I talk to Cade for a second? Alone.”

“Whatever,” Haley mumbles and walks toward where Sutton is hugging Hunter.

Once she’s gone, I look at Poppy. “Well? What is it?” I tilt my head toward Haley. “I was already putting myself on her shit list for the night. This should go over real well.”

“Van is dead,” she whispers so faintly that I hardly hear her.

And then I think that maybe I didn’t hear her right. But when she repeats it, I know I did.

“How do you know?” I frown. “How do you even know Van?”

I’m so confused. I know she knew of him because she saw my truck there once and gave me a hard time. But how would she know he was dead before me? I have no idea.

“Because he’s my brother,” her voice squeaks. “And I know you’re one of his customers, so I wanted to get to you before you went to his place, looking for whatever it is you go there for. He overdosed earlier today.” Her tough exterior cracks the slightest bit. “He’s gone, Cade.”

“Fuck,” I say, dragging my hand through my hair. “I’m … I’m so sorry. I had no idea that he was your brother.”

“How could you? I don’t exactly shout it loud and proud.” She shrugs, but I can tell she’s barely hanging on. “Anyway, I came here as soon as I knew because police have been at his place all afternoon.” She looks at me, shaking her head. “You can’t go back there, Cade. You don’t need your name being dragged into the mess he created.”

“Holy shit.” I swallow.

And when I wrap my arms around her, I’m not thinking that Haley is probably watching. In that second, I just know my friend needs me.

“Don’t be like Van, Cade.” She sniffles. “He and I … that’s all we knew, growing up. He never really stood a chance at wanting anything more.” She trembles against me. “You have the world at your fingertips. A loving family. A girl who is clearly in love with you. And more talent in your pinkie than most people have in their entire body. Stop wasting your life, getting high, and just face your shit. Or one day, your parents could be getting the same call I had to get.”

I should be thinking about the words she said. I should be thinking about the girl who cares about me, who is watching me hug another girl with no explanation. But I’m not thinking about either of those things.

I’m thinking about the fact that I’m out of drugs. And if I don’t get them soon, I’m going to get really, really sick.

My life is a fucking mess. And I’ve somehow pulled that sweet angel into it.

Haley

Thank God that Sutton and Hunter offered to bring me home before they went off to Club 83 to celebrate his win. Because after Poppy and Cade hugged for a few minutes, he released her and then left. Never even looking back at me.

The pain in my chest radiated through my entire body, slicing deep and growing with every step he took away from me, like I wasn’t even there. Like those times we’d spent together, which meant everything to me, were nothing to him. And I had to stand there and pretend it was no big deal. Because my brother has no idea that Cade and I have gotten close. He just thought I’d asked Cade for a ride and he said he couldn’t.

He didn’t know that I was dying inside. Or that I was in love with his best friend.

So many times, Cade has done this to me. Yet I’m always eager to give him the chance to do it again. I don’t know if I’ll ever learn when it comes to that man.

“Looks like Cade is home,” Hunter says, noticing his truck in the driveway. “I wonder why he said he couldn’t give you a ride home.”

“Hard to say,” I huff out before climbing out of the truck. “Thanks for the ride. Be safe and havefun,” I say, monotone.I don’thave it in me to be sweet or charming. I’m in a terrible mood, and I should lock my grumpy ass in my room with pizza, ice cream, and Dr. Pepper.

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