Well, shit. So much for discretion.
The image of Julian getting the crap beat out of him flashes in my mind, and I have a full-body wave of wanting to tear whoever it was apart for hurting my brother. But I don’t let my guard down, becausehe brought this on himself, didn’t he?What the hell was he thinking, buying dope off some rando in a foreign country? I’m sure it means he didn’t even report it.
Jules tells Alexander, “I’m, y’know, hooked on them. Physically dependent.”
Alexander just nods.
I wave vaguely toward Julian’s eyes. “Docs must’ve given you the good shit when you went to the ER. You look high as balls.”
He’s both hurt and mad, and shoots back, “Nice, Sage. Once again,you win. More points for the champion. You’re right—I did take the prescription they offered. Because in addition to this awesome makeover, I have a cracked rib and two broken fingers from when I was stomped, trying to keep them from stealing Dad’s watch, becauseyou gave it to him.”
“The Carrera Tourbillon?” I blurt out. “What the fuck were you doing with it?” Ugh, that’s the exact wrong thing to say, and I know it immediately.
Priya’s hands dive into her thick, dark hair in frustration. “Why are you so awful?!” she wails at me.
I fold my arms. “All right all rightall right, I’m fucking sorry.” After a pause, I force the question out. “Are you, uh, okay and stuff?” I ask Jules.
“Never better, thanks,” he deadpans. “And I had the watch because Dad lent it to me at the airport when he dropped me off. I’d left mine at the house.”
Of course he did. Once again, my parents leapt to fix things for the Favorite Child.
I give an impatient sigh. “Okay, whatever. I can get Dad a new watch.”
“You know what you can’t buy, Sage?” Priya jumps in. “A new brother.Maybe think about that for five damned seconds.”
Normally I’d hit back with a cutting comment about the type of new brother I’d buy if I could, but I’m not eager to make things worse. Both Pri and Jules look really upset, and… I don’t know why I should care, but I also don’t want to show my worst self to Alexander.
Julian holds up his non-cast hand, claiming the floor.“Look, I’m in love with Priya. I have been for a couple years. It was a problem with me and Paz—it’s why we broke up. I’m sure you think Priya’s a moron for taking a chance on me, but I’m gonna try to deserve her. Which brings me to the other issue.”
He glances at Pri, who gives a smile like a mom ushering her kid into a classroom for the first day of kindergarten.
“I’m doing rehab,” Jules continues. “A place in Switzerland. I fly out tomorrow. I’m going to fix this, Sage. I wasn’t crazy about the shit you said in February, but you were right. I’ve let this go on too long. I need help.”
Alexander has at some point put an arm around me without me noticing, and he rubs a thumb along my upper arm in a silent message of support. The ball’s in my court, but it feels like that ball is stuffed with silver nitride and will explode on contact.
I take a slow breath. “You really don’t think you can just, y’know,stop? On your own?”
Julian looks at the ceiling with a self-mocking chuckle. “I’ve tried, believe me. Been junk-sick dozens of times. Though it’s always when I can’t get any, not really because Idecideto quit. Every time, during the worst of it—days three and four of withdrawal—I tell myself,This is an opportunity. I won’t start again. But once it’s available?” He lifts his hands, helpless. “Yeah, I buy more.”
Priya speaks up, “It’s a medical problem, Sage. This isn’t ‘a habit,’ like biting your nails. He needs support. Not just rehab, but…you. Family.”
“Family?” I echo. “So you’ve told Mom and Dad? I assumethey’re bankrolling it. Fuck, your ritzy Swiss treatment spa is gonna cost a mint.”
He avoids my eyes when he says, “I’ll tell them the details when I’m clean. There’s no need to worry Mom. Please don’t say anything to them.”
The way he’s picking at the edge of his cast makes me think I’m not getting the full story there.And why did he only mention Mom?
“If you haven’t told Mom and Dad, what about the money?” I ask.
“I’ve got it handled,” he says evenly.
“What does that mean?” My eyes narrow. “I know for a fact you’ve blown through most of your dough. Mom and Dad were talking a couple months ago about bailing you outta that startup with your friend what’s-his-nuts. So how are—” I notice the deer-like innocence on Priya’s face. “Hold the fucking phone. Isshepaying? Because if she’s using her grad school money, I’ll strangle you both.”
“I’m helping a little,” she tells me.
“No,” I retort. “Hellno. Pri, for fuck’s sake—”
“It’s my choice! And for this to really stick, he’ll need to stay three months. The failure rate on short-term rehab is astronomical.”
