Page 84 of The Addict

I was trying to forget about the Hansen’s. I wanted to banish the memory of them forever, but how was I supposed to do that when one: My best friend was hitting on the man I was told to stay away from, and two: That very same man was already taking classes at my school?

This is ridiculous, I told myself.

But there has to be something you can do.

It took all of my will power to hold back the emotional breakdown I almost had in front of Chelsea at the school. I had almost spilled everything, and if Chelsea found out about the whole deal, she would create a huge fuss, demanding that I be reunited with my “hero”.

That was the last thing I needed right now.

I plopped down on my bed, shielding my face with a pillow.

This was a gigantic mess.

Chapter twenty-three

Ride

NOAH

Ilied to Damian and my mom. I didn’t go to school.

I didn’t know why I went back to the bar where it all began, but I did. My feet sort of just led me there on their own. I could’ve gone anywhere. Farther from home to get some drugs, maybe. But I didn’t.

I drank some while I was there. Not as much as I usually did. Five shots to my normal ten or more.

Was this progress? I chuckled inwardly.

I was about to walk back down the street when I saw the car turn onto the road. It was a Rolls Royce. The color of the car reflected the sun’s rays with a brilliant, white shine that contrasted with a black top. It looked to be the newest model, a Phantom maybe, I considered, admiring the black on white trims and metallic rims. Then it occurred to me, a car like this, could only be used for chauffeuring a certain type of person.

I smiled and leaned against the bar wall, crossing my arms. I felt a rush beginning to form in my head. This is about to get good, I thought.

I watched as the car approached at a normal speed, continuing past me as though I were nothing special. The Royce hadn’t gone more than a couple yards before it screeched to a halt and sat motionless in the middle of the street. I remained in my current position, smirking at the sound of fellow cars honking their indignation.

The back lights flashed in reverse, and the car began the slow process of backing up to where I stayed.

When the rear window was mere feet away from me, the engine was cut. I couldn’t see anything, thanks to the tinted exterior, but I knew there was a face inside, looking out at me.

SILAS

Each morning was becoming more and more difficult to wake up. The pressure, the stress. Jace needed me to be the face of Pinnacle. This was fine. I was good at business. Politics even. But if I couldn’t get my head right on the tasks at hand, I was going to fail.

I couldn’t get anything organized for the meetings I had before me. My thoughts were plagued with Noah. I couldn’t get him out of my head.

And who else was in there?

That stupid red head.

I was sure she fucked Noah before I did, which caused a fire of jealousy to burn deep in my chest. I should’ve controlled myself rather than called her residence, but I allowed rage to guide my actions instead. No matter. I hoped my message had gotten my point across clearly: Noah is off limits. I hope she was so scared, she never even thought about his name again.

I had to admit his actions were admirable when he helped her. Noah the Savior. Who would have thought? The way he composed himself in the alley, holding his own against my two cousins, remaining relatively level headed despite his anger and intake. Had this been fifteen-year-old Noah, I was sure he would have thrown several punches before his target even knew he was pissed.

He showed restraint now. Which delighted me. It made me want to get under his skin even more. I loved making him uncomfortable.

Noah had been avoiding me since our last phone call. Not a single text. And you know what? Fine. I wasn’t going to text or call him either. I wouldn’t be the one to initiate a chase.

What’s that saying? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or some shit?

That’s what I’m going to do. Wait it out.