Page 37 of Addicted to You

“Bet that was an adjustment. Winters here don’t mess around.”

“I’m not used to scraping snow off my windshield just to go to the grocery store, that’s for sure,” I said, taking another sip of my beer. “Are you from Boston?”

“Born and raised. You a Sox fan, or am I about to be disappointed?”

I smirked. “Astros.”

Nate groaned, shaking his head. “Damn. And here I thought we were gonna be friends.”

“Hey, I respect the Sox. That doesn’t mean I’m switching teams.”

“We’ll see about that.” He tipped his beer toward me before taking a drink. “You come here often?”

“No. Just needed to get out of my apartment.”

“Good call. Flanagan’s is solid. And if you ever wanna lose at darts, let me know.”

I laughed. “You that good?”

“Only one way to find out.”

We played a few rounds and had a couple more beers. It was the first time in a while I’d had a casual night out that didn’t revolve around work or Britt. It helped, even if the feeling wouldn’t last.

By the time I got back to the apartment, the place was still dark. I checked my phone and saw Britt hadn’t texted like she said she would. Tossing my keys on the counter, I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and headed to the shower. When I got out, there was nothing from her.

When I finally gave up and went to bed, I had yet to hear from my girlfriend. And she hadn’t texted or come home when I fell asleep.

The ringingof my phone pulled me out of sleep. When I picked it up, I saw an unfamiliar California number on the screen.

“Hello?” My voice was rough and thick with sleep.

“Hey … it’s Silas.”

I sat up and rubbed a hand over my face. Beside me, Britt was curled up under the blankets asleep. I hadn’t even heard her come home last night.

“What’s going on? You good?”

“Yeah. I mean, I will be,” he muttered. “Listen, I’m finishing up here next week, and I need a sober companion.”

I swung my feet over the edge of the bed. “That’s good. You should have someone looking out for you, helping you stay on track.”

“And I want it to be you.”

I blinked, not sure I heard him right. “Me?”

“Yep. You.”

I exhaled, my mind already running through the logistics. “Silas, I live in Boston. You need someone in LA. Someone close.”

“We’re playing in Boston and New York just a few days after I leave here. Then we’re rescheduling the rest of the tour. I need someone with me I can trust and not be starstruck or some shit.”

I ran a hand through my hair. I needed to talk with Britt and tell her how I was feeling about how things were going with us. Getting a new client—even if it was her brother—would put yet another strain on our relationship since I’d have to be gone again. “I don’t know, man. We’re practically family.”

“Exactly. That’s why I want you.”

Movement in the bed caught my attention, and I turned to see Britt stirring, her eyes barely open as she looked at me. “Who is it?”

“Silas,” I mouthed.