Page 262 of Fame & Chaos

We climb out at the same time.

“You’ve seen it?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah.”

Neither of us says anything else.

We don’t need to.

A drug scandal and compromising photographs are the last thing this band needs.

Dee opens the front door before we’ve even knocked properly, and she looks exhausted.

“Hey, Dee.”

“Morning.”

“How’s Annie?”

She tilts her head ever so slightly.

She doesn’t need to answer.

I already know.

Chad and I make our way to the music room in silence.

“Hey, boys,” Colt says as we walk in.

I nod to him before crossing straight to Annie.

She looks god-awful. Dark circles shadow her eyes, and she hasn’t even attempted to hide the guilt written all over her face.

I sit beside her and wrap an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, Annie,” I say, crossing the room and sitting beside her. I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a quick side hug.

“I’m okay,” she mutters. “Just feel like a complete idiot.”

I let out a quiet laugh. “Yeah, not your best moment. But I know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen. And I know you wouldn’t have wanted those pictures out there.” My tone softens. “I’m sorry this has happened to you.”

“Thanks,” she says, swallowing hard. “I just wish I’d never gone out. I was stupid.”

“You’re not stupid, Annie,” I say. “You just made a bad call. Big difference. And I’m guessing you’ve learned from it?”

She nods quickly. “Yeah, definitely. I’m never drinking again.”

I raise a brow. “Or taking anything else?”

“That goes without saying. I’m done with all of it.”

“Good.” I nudge her shoulder. “And next time you’re in trouble, call me. Anytime.”

“I know. I think I was trying to… before I passed out.” She shudders at the memory. “That’s probably when he took the photos.”

My jaw clenches thinking of how much worse this could have been. “Well, hopefully there isn’t a next time. But remember, you’ve got people. You don’t have to handle things on your own.”

“Thanks, cuz. I love you.”

“Love you too.”