I pull out my phone and check the time, barely interested in anything right now other than getting to Lindsey. 7:49 p.m. After here, I’m going to see her whether she wants to see me or not, which is why I suggested The Victory for after-work drinks, it’s close to her place.

Cassidy turns in her seat to face Roamyn, concern lacing her features.

“You’re not talking about who I think you’re talking about, are you? Because she is not in a state right now for you to be taking advantage of her, Roamyn.” Cassidy frowns at Roam and Elias and I look at each other, missing whatever the fuck is going on.

Roamyn sighs and his shoulders fall. His eyes cast downwards as he speaks. “Look, I know it’ll never go anywhere with her.”

As I half listen to Roamyn, I stare around the room, getting lost in my own thoughts. People are constantly moving, much like the shit storm brewing in my mind. Bodies grind against each other, drinks spill, laughter booms through the room, until a small blonde’s broken spirit breaks my train of thought as I find her standing right behind our booth. Her eyes fill with unshed tears and her bottom lip quivers. She doesn’t move. Instead, she just stares as her face contorts, her heart breaking with every word she hears Roamyn speak.

Alison.

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“She’s not the woman for me. She’s just a girl but-”

I kick Roamyn under the table.

“Ouch. Shit, man, what was that for?” Roamyn asks.

“Hey, Alison.” I greet her but she doesn’t notice me. All she sees is Roamyn, and it clicks. Her response to hearing his words, what Cassidy had said before. The woman he was talking about is Alison.

I don’t get a chance to reply and there’s no need. Roamyn turns his head to where I’m still staring, eyes glued in surprise at one upset Alison, who, despite looking like she just had her heart ripped out of her chest, looks healthier and fuller than I’ve ever seen her in the years we’ve crossed paths.

All the blood drains from Roamyn’s face and before he gets out an apology, she’s already storming off.

Elias witnesses what’s happening. “This doesn’t look like it’s gonna end well.”

Roamyn pushes out, rushing over to a shocked Alison who he’s managed to stop from walking away from him. I don’t know what’s said. It’s too loud to even hazard a guess from the movement of their lips, but after a heated conversation, a shake of Alison’s head, she disappears into the mass of bodies dancing near the stage and a defeated Roamyn slumps back into the booth. Skin bunches around his eyes, the hurt in them a pain rarely seen on his face. He clenches his jaw and reaches for his beer. Putting it to his mouth, he skulls the remainder before slamming it down on the table.

I watch him, keeping my mouth closed because right now, I don’t really know what to say to him. He searches the room until his gaze stops and I twist around to see where he’s looking. It’s Alison, now with people surrounding her. She forces a smile and her lips are moving but anyone can see the pain in her features. My brows furrow. She shouldn’t be here, she should be at the clinic. I pull out my phone from my pocket so I can call Lindsey and find out.

Alison is as fragile as glass. She’ll relapse, smashing into pieces if Roamyn ruins her with the kind of power over her I’m thinking he must have.

“Dude, Alison Jenkins? You’re hitting that?” Eli jumps back in, his thumb pointing over to Alison, his animated voice letting us all know he had no clue about these two. Which really, neither did I. All I knew was he’d been visiting her in rehab.

“Shut it, Eli,” Roam bites back.

Elias’ hands fly up, palms out, surrendering. “Okay, okay. No one ever lets me in on the gossip. I didn’t know about this shit. I’m going to get another drink.” He shuffles out and heads to the bar.

Half an hour passes with me trying to get hold of Lindsey and distracting Roam from drowning himself in sorrow after he explained why Alison came here tonight. He was furious she snuck out of rehab but she wanted to wish Roam happy birthday. He hadn’t visited her so she rang the precinct and was told where he was. How the hell she passed the clinic staff and two police officers I don’t know, but I’ll find out soon enough. She’d been reckless. It was dangerous for her to be out and alone without someone looking out for her.

I’m talking and he’s not listening. Alison’s clearly drinking something and he’s watching her. Sighing, I drop my head and blow out an exhausted breath. I’m tired. I still have to talk to Lindsey, and now I’m sitting here worrying over my best friend, and the little sister of the woman I’m falling for. I try Lindsey on her cell again but it goes straight to voicemail. Thankfully, Alison is still in sight and okay. It is Roamyn who’s the ticking time bomb about to explode.

Roamyn pipes up for the first time in ten minutes. He shakes his head in disgust, his face twisting into a grimace. “She’s off her fucking face. I can’t watch this any longer. Where’s Lindsey? We’ve gotta get her home.” He stands abruptly, probably to go get Alison, but I grab his arm and stop him.

“Just wait I’ll try Lindsey’s cell again, okay? She’ll come here and meet me and we’ll take her home. Just give me a second to go outside and call her again. One of us has to keep an eye on Alison, and I can’t do that from out there so stay put because she won’t be impressed if you walk over there acting like she’s yours.”

He frowns but agrees. Stiffening, he widens his stance and folds his arms over one another as he shoots invisible lasers into Alison’s back as she sways back and forth on the dance floor, wedged between another girl and a guy. Her eyes are glassy and sweat’s dripping from her hair. She’s loud, gaining the attention of patrons in the bar.  Unease ripples over my skin; it’s way past time for her to go home.

I scroll through my contacts until I find Lindsey’s number. My thumb hovers over the green call button but I hesitate pressing down on the screen, knowing I’m about to give her news that’ll disappoint her. Alison’s supposed to be stone-cold sober and in her room at the clinic. Instead, she came out tonight by herself without any protection, all because she wanted to wish Roamyn a happy fucking birthday. And now she’s spiraled down into the hole she’s been working so hard to climb out of.

Stepping outside of the bar, I dial and put the phone to my ear. The line picks up and a murmur sounds on the other end.

“Mason, hey, sorry I’ve missed your calls I was just checking out the loft’s makeover. Thanks for fixing my place up so fast. I don’t know how you did it but, thank you.” The softness of her voice blankets me in warmth.

I clear my throat. “Hey, sweetheart, no problem.” I glance around, rubbing the back of my neck. “Look I don’t know if you’re home or not, but I’m a few minutes away at the Vic and Lindsey, Alison’s here and she isn’t in good shape.”

“What?”  Her voice rises and becomes icy and sharp. The concern in her tone has me already regretting the words about to leave my mouth. An upset Lindsey has a way of unleashing the protector in me.

“She’s drunk and by the looks of it, she might be on something else too. Can’t say for sure because all of ten minutes ago, she seemed sober. Upset but still sober. She needs to get home before I have to do my job and bring her in. You get here and I’ll help you get her up to your place. She’s upset, Linds. She needs her sister.”

“I’ll be right there,” she replies, voice taut.

Lindsey

The wolf whistles and obscene comments from drunken men smoking out the front of bars and restaurants on the street cause my legs to move quicker. As I walk, the dog tags beneath my top are cool against my skin. They jingle around inside my shirt, under my coat, as my chest bounces lightly in my hurried journey to The Victory. Why would she do this now? Why ruin all the progress she’s made? I didn’t understand. When I saw her yesterday, she was coping well. She breathed in life again, had hope. Her laugh was genuine, exuding joy in my apprehensive heart.