Colt’s nostrils flare as he pushes Hux and stands, steadying him. “Hux, man, look what you’re doing to yourself.”
Anna takes my hand in hers.
I feel sorry for Colt right now. He must be angry and hurt that his brother is so wasted that he can’t even stand properly, let alone string a few sensible words together.
Hux dives his hands into his pockets and searches around. Colt watches him curiously, his hands steady on Hux’s shoulders.
“What am I doing to myself? Look what you’renotdoing to yourself. But I can help with that,” Hux states, pulling a baggiefrom his pocket. Before anyone can react, he throws the contents of the open baggie in Colt’s face.
I gasp, as does Anna, while Hux laughs hysterically, falling backward into the coffee table.
Quickly, I stand and wipe the cocaine away from Colt’s skin. His breathing is rushed and harsh as I wipe frantically around his eyes to remove all traces of the substance. I can’t help but notice all the particles inside his nostrils. Or the fact that his lips should be covered in the powder, and there’s nothing there.
Jesus! He’s inhaled and licked his lips. Fuck!
“Are you okay?”
Colt finally opens his eyes and looks at me. The rage is apparent as his hands ball into tight fists by his side. His gaze moves from me to his brother, who’s standing back, pointing and laughing.
Dingo and Johnny quickly move by Colt’s side as I continue to wipe off the powder from wherever I can see it.
Colt takes hold of my wrists and places my arms at my sides.
“Colt, hold it together, man,” Johnny says, placing his hand on Colt’s shoulder.
He shrugs it off and strides toward Hux, who has stopped laughing and holds his arms open for a hug. Colt clenches his fist and knocks Hux in the jaw, sending him backward to the floor. Hux laughs and rolls around while everyone crowds around him.
Thankfully, Johnny pulls Colt’s arms back and away from Hux. “Stop! He doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Johnny says.
“Oh, big bro, you fucking love the smell and taste of this shit. I can see in your eyes that you’re dying for a hit. I have plenty more,” Hux teases, pulling another baggie from his pocket and dangling it above his face.
Colt surges toward Hux again, but Johnny holds him back, causing Hux to laugh hysterically.
“Youwillcave, brother. Sooner or later, youwilljoin the party,” Hux calls out.
Johnny walks Colt away and into his and Anna’s room while I stand on the spot, having no idea what to do.
I look at Anna, who says softly, “Maybe you should go check on him?”
Agreeing, I walk toward the room and move to turn the door handle when I hear Johnny and Colt talking.
“Fuck, man, fuck,” Colt exclaims loudly.
“Colt, I know. Just calm down. You don’t want Dee to see you like this, do you?”
“God, no! She can’t find out that I’m struggling. Every time Hux forces that shit on me, I wanna snort a line, just one, but I know I won’t stop. And I can’t do that to Dee, Johnny. She means so much to me.”
“I know, but you have got to be more careful. I saw your face when the coke hit you. I saw you snort it in and lick your lips. Colt, that doesn’t help, you know.”
I frown as my fears are confirmed.
He did inhale some of the cocaine.
The fact that he didn’t try to wipe it away himself should’ve been the giveaway.
“I know, but it’s instinct. I didn’t even know what I was doing until I tasted it. But then I smelled Dee and felt her hands on me. Somehow, I knew I’d be okay. If she’s here, then I can fight it,” Colt says, and there’s a brief moment of silence.
I take the opportunity to open the door and peek my head around. Colt’s sitting on the bed with his hands holding his head, and Johnny is next to him, rubbing his back.
