Finally, he speaks. “Dex wasn’t always like that.” He keeps his eyes on the road, his voice subdued. “There was a time when he was … brilliant. It was Dex who helped me make my first connections here in Nashville.”
“What happened to him?”
He grunts. “Same old story. He got involved with drugs and alcohol. He suffered a few disappointments, as often happens in the business. He joined a tour as a roadie. He was married, but his wife left him. After that … well, he just couldn’t cope. He spiraled.”
“Wow. I’m so sorry.” I hesitate. “Is there anything you can do to help him? I mean—more than what you’re already doing?”
“I’ve tried. He’s been in and out of more rehab centers than I can count. The last time, he wouldn’t even stay twenty-four hours. He told me he was done… that I needed to leave him be.”
“I’m so sorry,” I repeat.
He falls silent again.
A few moments pass before he continues. “Dex is my dad’s older brother. I don’t think my dad ever forgave him for his addictions. For the life he lives. That’s actually the source of a lot of the problems between my dad and me.”
I crinkle my brows. “Really? How so?”
“In Dad’s mind, my choosing music instead of a ‘respectable career’ is the same thing as following Dex’s path. He’s afraid I’ll succumb to my demons too.”
I shake my head. “I mean, I can understand him being concerned, but that seems drastic. Not everyone ends up like Dex.”
“No, but in my dad’s mind, that’s where I’m headed.”
I didn’t know Randall Cox well, but I remember him being no-nonsense and stern.
I glance at Axel. The angular line of his jaw is silhouetted by the headlights from oncoming cars. “Thanks for telling me.”
He throws me a fleeting smile. “Thanks for coming with me tonight.”
“Of course, I’m glad you invited me.” A question slips out before I can stop it. “Does Zoe know about Dex?”
Long pause. “No.”
“Oh.” He trusted me enough to bring me here, but not Zoe. “So … what made you decide to bring me?” I ask quietly.
“Truthfully?”
I chuckle. “The truth is always nice.” I can’t believe I’m saying that—me, of all people.
“It’s just refreshing that I can be myself with you. Zoe’s consumed by her blog. And at the risk of my dirty laundry getting aired to the public, I thought it was better to keep Dex under wraps.”
Heat rushes through me, and then I go cold. He has no idea he’s talking to Jovie Chord. His biggest critic. His enemy.
“With you, it’s different. It’s nice knowing I can share things with you. Be myself in a way I never have with Zoe.”
Guilt pricks at my conscience. I’m such a terrible person.
I sit up straight. No one is evergoing to know about Dex. That part of his life will never be public. “Thank you. For trusting me enough to share this.” I reach out and touch his arm. “I’m just so sorry. I can’t even begin to imagine the heartache this has caused your family.”
“Yeah,” he says glumly. “It’s been tough.”
“Do you think Dex will ever come around?” I don’t like thinking of anyone as a lost cause.
Axel shakes his head. “I don’t know. At this point, I’m just grateful he has a warm bed for the night.”
“Thanks to you.”
“It’s the least I can do for my mentor.”
