Barely Breathing(28)

“No, he’s not. But I have to help him.”

“You can’t, Viv. All he wants is money for another hit.”

I swallowed against the lump in my throat, my eyes burning with tears. “You really think he’s using drugs?”

Kane closed the door and looked down at me. “I know he is. I’d bet my bank account on it. He can’t think about anything but getting high right now. His body won’t let him.”

I walked over to my couch and sat down, putting my head in my hands. “I don’t even know what to say. I never would’ve suspected.”

With a heavy sigh, Kane came and sat next to me.

“It’ll get worse,” he said. “He’ll get desperate enough to steal from you. You can’t let him in your apartment anymore. Keep the doors locked at all times.”

“But he’s my brother.”

“He would’ve taken whatever cash you’ve got in your purse if I wasn’t here. You saw him.”

The tears finally spilled over. I wiped them away quickly, embarrassed by the turn of events.

“Well, our date’s going great, isn’t it?”

He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me against him. “Sure it is, Viv. I’m glad I was here when he came.”

“He owes you six thousand dollars?” I asked, feeling sick.

“Yeah.”

“What’s going to happen? I’ll get it from my parents somehow if something bad’s going to happen to him.”

I felt Kane’s deep sigh. “I’m not gonna kill him or anything if that’s what you mean. I ‘ve got no idea how deep he’s in with dealers, though.”

I squeezed my eyes shut against the new tears threatening to spill. The thought of Grayson on drugs and in debt to bad people made me feel physically ill.

“Hey,” Kane said, wrapping his other arm around me. “It’s okay. I’ll write off his debt to the club. And I’ll keep my ear to the ground about who else he owes.”

I hugged him around his chest, his solid presence the only thing keeping me grounded right now.

“I’m scared for him,” I said.

“I know. But some holes we’ve gotta dig ourselves out of. He’s not ready for help yet.”

He leaned back on the couch and took me with him. I pressed my cheek to his chest, curled my legs up in between his and let the rhythm of his breathing soothe me.

“How much money does he owe you?” Kane asked softly.

“Five hundred.”

“You need some money? For yourself, I mean? Did giving him that money cut you short?”

“No. But thanks. I have the money but I could tell something was off so I told him I didn’t. It’s so unlike Grayson to grab my purse and go through it like that.”

“He’s not himself, Viv. Try not to take it personal.”

“You know someone with a drug problem?”

He exhaled deeply, my cheek sinking down slightly as his chest fell. “Yeah. Used to, anyway. Me.”

I wanted to know more, but I wasn’t going to probe about something so personal. And I needed to process things with Grayson.

“I’m sorry about this,” I said. “I can’t go back to . . . you know . . . how things were in the kitchen.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t be sorry.”

“I understand if you’d rather go than be around me right now. I won’t be much fun tonight.”

He smoothed a hand over my hair. “I should stay the night in case Grayson comes back. I’ll take the couch.”

I closed my eyes, a new wave of nausea rolling through my stomach at the thought of needing protection from my brother.

“We could watch a movie,” I suggested.

“Sounds good.”

I passed him the remote and told him to find one, and then I curled back up in my spot on his chest. All thoughts of sex had vanished. Now all I wanted was Kane’s closeness and comfort. And he delivered, wrapping his arms around me and laying with me in silence as I wondered just how much trouble Grayson was in.



Kane

My stiff neck wouldn’t allow me to sleep anymore. I opened my eyes and squinted at the unfamiliar surroundings. Dark purple chair with a white blanket folded over the back. White bookcase full of framed photos and paperbacks. Warm, sweet-smelling woman laying on my chest.

I was in Viv’s living room. We’d apparently fallen asleep on her couch together. The TV was still on and the first rays of morning sunlight were filtering in through the curtains.

Cringing, I twisted my neck just enough to dull the ache. I’d been awkwardly wedged up against the end of the couch all night, but I’d still slept soundly until a few minutes ago.

Viv stirred on my chest and raised her head to look at me.

“Hey,” she said in a groggy tone. “We slept here all night?”

“Yeah. Must’ve been tired.”

Her hair was messy and she had dark shadows of eye makeup under her eyes. The intimacy of waking up with her had my cock twitching to attention. If I got hard now, she’d feel it. And from the way her brows were drawn together with worry, I could see she wasn’t in the mood for sex.

“Maybe Grayson texted,” she said, picking up her phone from the coffee table. She swiped the screen and her face fell. “No. Nothing. I hope he’s okay.”