Page 143 of The Song We Lost

I closed my eyes wanting to go back to her, to be with her in any way I could. Another splash of Ice water hit my face and I thrashed and then fell out of bed. The movement sent me heaving and I didn’t get to move, on all fours on the floor of the hotel room until my body decided it was done.

What day is it?

I heard things being tossed and moved around in the room but the light was too bright to lift my head and look. The room spun again and I closed my eyes to try and centre myself.

Golden eyes… my sunshine…

“Luke!”

I groaned and then slowly sat back on my heels. Dave was stomping through the room throwing bottles in the garbage.

“You need to get up and make yourself presentable.”

I groaned again, the idea of doing anything right now… my whole body hurt.

“Luke, are you listening to me. You’ve been fucking up and the label is about to ditch you… we got the chance of a lifetime…”

My whole body swayed.Why am I so hot?

A breeze brushed my face and I closed my eyes and smiled.Bailey… home…

“Luke! Get your ass in that shower. I got us a meeting that will make your career…”

“I don’t…”Why is it so hard to find my words?“Bailey… I want…”

“Yes I know… but she doesn't want you. Get your ass in the shower.”

I blinked and I was sitting in a conference room, the air felt stale, my shirt felt too tight.

A bottle of water lands in front of me…

Where am I?

Dave is in front of me with a stern look on his face. “Drink some water, pull it together. You cannotfuck this up.”

My hands shake as I try to unscrew the cap. I take a couple of sips and as I put the bottle down Dave’s hand comes into view… a pill I recognize in his palm.

I don’t feel good.

“Now that sure doesn't look like vitamins.” A voice Iknewbroke the silence.

Wait, was she with him?

Dave tensed and then closed his hand, tucking it into his pocket before stepping away from me and turning to the voice.

“Our boy Luke partied a little too hard, I was just trying to help him with his headache.”

My eyes locked on fucking Jackson Reed, but he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were on Dave, a look I had only ever seen from him that night….Bailey…

“I am sure you are, Dave.” Jackson said with a smile that didn’t look right.

Why was I here?

I just need to close my eyes for a minute. I don’t feel good… I want…

“Jackson I was so happy when your team reached out asking for a meeting. Thank you for taking time out of promoting your new album.”

The sound was muffled and for a while it sounded like I was under water.