slicing tomatoes when I hear the front door open and slam shut.
“You’re exactly where you should be. Baz’s problem is his problem, never yours,” I tell her, hoping it sinks in.
“Baby Coleman’s right, Alice. This isn’t him, it’s the coke talking,” River points out as he and Freddie make themselves comfortable at the island.
“You’re all right. Don’t mind me.”
Keeping her back turned to the guys, I stay by her side, trying to shield her from the worry in their eyes as they worry about how to deal with their friend.
“Alice, don’t cry because of him. He’ll get past this,” Freddie assures, trying to soothe her.
“Thank you, but I’m not so sure. He’s been doing this for a year and a half, and he’s only getting worse.”
A thought hits me and I turn around. “Do either of them know where to get him what he wants?”
Freddie rolls his eyes at me, and River sighs.
“In a town like this, it’ll be easy as fuck,” Riv snorts.
“Plus, Baz will fucking sniff them out before he gives up. Fucking junkie.”
Alice gasps. “Don’t call him that!”
Freddie shakes his head in defeat. “It’s what he is. You think people kick off like that if they’re not?”
Tuning them all out, I focus on chopping the peppers, replaying my day with Freddie. Like I said before, Baz isn’t going to ruin my day.
14
Freddie
I never cook, but I’m always the one standing at the grill whenever we have a cookout. Tonight, I’m not bothered. Today felt like the first day of my life. Spending time with Jamiee has made me realise how dull my life has been without her. She’s definitely the one for me, and as hard as it’ll be to keep my promise, I’ll do it, because I can’t be without her again. I’m not willing to take any risks that would cost me having her.
“Baz needs rehab. He’s going to end up dead if he carries on like this,” River insists, coming to stand next to me.
“I agree.”
Jamiee and Alice come walking out from the kitchen with bowls of salad, and Jamiee’s eyes find mine. Even from here, I can see her cheeks flame as I throw her my best smile.
“How did it go today?” he asks.
“It was fine. I signed in. It was nothing.”
“I meant with Jamiee.”
I go to open my mouth to tell him, but I quickly shut it.
I don’t want to share our time together, gossiping about it like she means nothing to me. Instead, I just smile.
“That good, huh?”
Alice and Jamiee make a second trip inside for their bottles of wine. Apparently, the two I brought out earlier isn’t enough. Another two bottles make their way to the table, and Jamiee’s quick to pour them both a large glass.
Damon and Baz return just as I’m finishing up at the grill, and River takes the steaks and sliders over to the table. The girls have done well with the side dishes, and Baz helps himself to a bread roll with a manic grin on his face. Damon, on the other hand, is tired, and won’t even look in Baz’s direction.
“Sorted?” I ask under my breath, pulling out a chair next to Damon.
“He’s smiling. What do you think?”
Damon’s jolted as Baz kicks at his chair. “I’m sitting right here, man.”
“Then act like you’re on the same level we are,” Damon snaps.
“You need help, Baz,” River pleads.
“Like hell I need help. I’m fine.”
“Yeah? Why kick off when you run out of gear, then?” River argues back.
Jamiee finishes her wine and pours herself another before sitting back in her chair, watching the fight that’s occurring.
“What the fuck am I supposed to do out here? There’s only so much music we can make in a day. Get off my back.”
River remains quiet, while Damon concentrates on Alice across the table. It doesn’t matter how many times Damon assures her Baz’s problem isn’t on her; she takes it personally each and every time. And the way she’s looking at him now, with pity and sorrow, it’s easy to see she’s taken another hit to her soul after today’s episode.
“You can’t keep this up, Baz. Next time you act like a junkie, we’ll treat you like one and put you in rehab.” He shoots me a glare that could knock me on my ass if I weren’t already sitting on it.
“Let’s eat, shall we? Or should we let this all go cold?” he snaps, loading up his plate, happy to let the conversation head in any direction, as long