Page 45 of Dark Notes, Volume Two

“I’m annoying you, right?”

She laughs as she picks up her wine and takes a sip.

“No. I’d be an absolute mess if it were Jagger in rehab. You’re entitled to your feelings, babe. I’m just reassuring you that if you haven’t heard from him it’s because he’s doing the work on himself he needs to and hasn’t tucked and ran. Remember, they said it’d be a while before he could make calls.”

I nod as I pick at my chicken salad. I am picking out the cranberries. Whoever the hell decided fruit and chicken salad go together didn’t have working tastebuds.

“I know. It’s just hard. I want to know how he’s doing, and it’s already been two weeks.”

Life has kind of stopped for everyone while Jett is in recovery. They had tour dates booked, but Jagger had them rescheduled. He said as long as Jett is getting the help he needs, they’ll wait as long as they have to. Their program lasts anywhere from thirty days to two years, and we don’t have a clue how long Jett will be there. They say it depends on the needs of the individual although, the most common is three to six weeks. I keep telling myself to be patient, but I miss him. My breaths don’t feel complete, my sleep never peaceful, my thoughts never clear. Jett takes up space in every little thing I do.

“Are you ready for some retail therapy?” McKinley asks, a look of excitement in her eyes.

We are going shopping and not avoiding the cameras. Kins keeps saying I can’t live like a hermit just to avoid having my picture taken.

‘Let them see you living your best life. They are strangers and don’t matter, Mia. Why are you letting internet trolls control your life?’

After we pay the bill, she loops her arm in mine and speaks low, quoting something about people who mind not mattering.

I laugh louder than I intend to.

“Quoting Dr. Seuss now, are we?”

Feigning a serious expression, she says, “He’s very inspirational.”

We walk down the cobblestone sidewalk from the restaurant area to the shopping district. This area is our favorite place to hang out. It has everything you could want in one place.

“Makeup, clothing, or shoes?”

“Clothing,” I answer quickly because I’m itching to get new clothes that maybe don’t make me feel so bad about myself.

My phone rings, and my heart nearly stops beating.

“Mia.” Kins says as I clutch my cell in my hand, nearly crushing it when I see Lighthouse flash across the screen.

She smiles at me with pure excitement, “Answer your man, Mia. I’ll wait inside for you so you can have some privacy.”

I click the accept button and put my phone to my ear, answering in a shaky voice.

“Hello?”

“Angel.” He says, and any composure I had is long gone. My breathing is uneven as tears roll down my cheeks. There are people walking by, but I can’t hear them. AllI can hear is Jett.

“Baby, are you okay?” He asks, sounding frantic.

“I’m fine,” I choke out on a near sob, “I’m really happy to hear your voice. Are you okay?”

The low deep chuckle over the line, causes my heart to kick into gear and pound furiously.

“I am now, Angel. I know it’s kind of last minute, but can you come see me today at five. I’d like you to have dinner with me, just us. I need you to know some things about me, Mia. My therapist has approved me for evening visitation today. He recommended I let you in on my past before I leave.”

His voice sounds shaky, as if he’s nervous.

While I have no clue what it involves, I’ve always believed Jett is the way he is because of some kind of trauma. He said before someone hurt him too and when I asked who, his response was everyone.

“I’ll be there.”

He’s quiet for a long time, and I start to think he has hung up when he speaks again.