Page 144 of The Song We Lost

I am so tired.

But Dave’s voice turned sharp and pulled me back. “What the fuck are you doing here Noah?”

“Now that is no way to talk to one of our close friends…”

I knew that voice… but it wasn’t Jackson… or Noah…

“No… no of course not Rhett. I am sorry…”

Was Davenervous? Scared?

A hand touched my shoulder and I forced my eyes to open, to look up.

Noah.

“Why do you look sad?” I croaked.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

I felt Dave’s eyes on me and I knew I was supposed to say yes… I am ok… but I called someone… I told them…

“No… I don’t feel… Noah. I…help.”

I felt something wet on my cheeks, but I was so tired.Am I crying?

I felt the hand on my shoulder squeeze. Then voices raised and… I was moving.

Where am I?

Bailey…..

When I opened my eyes next, my head was splitting. So much pressure pushing behind my eyes. I was….

This place looks familiar. This couch… is…

My…ourhouse…

Voices filtered in and out.

“How did it go with the fucking snake?”

Noah?

“I have my team on it, but we may need to get creative to get your brother out of the fucked up contracts he has him twisted in.”

My mouth tasted like ash… everything hurts.

I tried to open my eyes…focus Luke…

“I love you Luke…”

Bailey… is she here?

Light comes into my line of vision, I see… a cowboy hat in a hand… dark hair.

Jackson?

“Bailey…” the voice doesn’t sound like mine, but I feel like it came from me.