Risky Rockstar: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 41
I smile gratefully. “I’d like to cover your losses, regardless.” I dig in my bag for a piece of paper. “Would you write your banking details down?”
Rod reaches over and scrunches up the paper. “There’s no need for that.”
I’m touched and give Rod a small smile. He is restoring my faith in humanity here just by calling to tell me about Kevin instead of calling the paparazzi. Not taking money for his loss of income further drives home that there are still people out there that care more about the human being than the story. I nod.
“Thank you, Rod.”
“I’d like to say anytime, but it hurts me to see someone suffer like this. He’s been muttering about how he’s lost her. How he lost his everything.”
My skin flushes hot, then immediately cold as Rod’s words confirm what I already knew. Things between Kevin and Claire are over, and it’s all my fault. I lean down and stroke my fingers over Kevin’s forehead.
“Kev, it’s Hayley. I’m here.”
Kevin grunts, and that’s about it.
I lean in again. “Do you think you can stand?”
Rod shakes his head. “There’s no way anyone is getting this guy out of here other than carrying him.”
A few minutes later, Kade comes back. “I’ve got the truck.”
“I don’t think he can walk.”
Kade hands me his keys. They’re warm from his touch, and it’s comforting.
He bends down and hoists Kevin over his shoulder like a fireman does when he removes someone from a burning building. If I wasn’t feeling so miserable right now, I’d be impressed. Rod directs us out the back of the bar, and I thank him again. I ask him one more time if we can compensate him, and he shakes his head, stubbornly refusing to budge. I am going to pay him back, I just don’t know how yet.
Kade lays Kevin in the back seat of his truck and closes the door. I toss him back his keys and get in the passenger side.
We drive the rest of the way home in silence. I feel terrible about not being honest with Kade. He’s been incredible tonight, and I should tell him what’s really going on with me and Kevin, but I need to talk to Kevin first. I keep looking to the back seat to see if he’s okay and pray he doesn’t hurl all over Kade’s leather interior. When we get back to my place, Kade helps me with Kevin. As soon as we’re in the house, I direct him to my room so Kevin can sleep on my bed and I can curl up on my chaise and watch him through the night. Kade leaves the room while I place two Advil next to the bed with a glass of water along with the wastepaper basket in case he gets sick. I hope to hell he sleeps right through until the morning.
Coming out of the room, I see Kade standing at the door, hands in his pockets. “I’m gonna head out.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for doing this.”
“No thanks needed. Are you gonna be okay?”
The worry on his face threatens to bring on the tears I’ve been suppressing all night. I smile sadly. “I’ll be fine.”
His head bobs up and down.
“He isn’t ever like this,” I blurt, wanting to preserve Kevin’s reputation.
Kade smiles, but there’s a tension in his eyes. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s not my business.”
“I know. I wanted you to know anyway. He’s a great guy.”
Kade nods and opens the door. “See ya around, Hayley.”
He closes the door, and I feel like I’ve blown it.
I just don’t know what it is.
Chapter 18
Hayley
I toss and turn for about an hour. Between the guilt over lying to Kade and checking on Kevin every time he moves—terrified he vomits and chokes—I resorted to dragging the chaise closer to the bed so I can watch him without getting up all the time. I could probably lie in bed with him, but I think everyone should have a choice as to who they sleep next to, and Kevin is too passed out to make any choices.
I must’ve fallen asleep around 4:00 a.m., so when I hear Kevin stir again just as the sun makes its appearance, I stifle a groan. It’s been a long night. I open my eyes to find Kevin sitting on the opposite side of the bed, his back to me, head in his hands. He looks so dejected that it feels like I’m intruding on one of his most vulnerable moments, and I wish I’d got up earlier to sneak out of here. Knowing there’s nothing I can do to save us from the upcoming awkward moment, I sit up and stretch before clearing my throat. My body aches from lying on the cramped chaise. “How are you feeling?”
My voice is raspy from lack of sleep, and Kevin turns to look at me. “Did you sleep on that?” He gestures with his head to the chaise that’s comfortable enough to curl up with a book next to the window, but definitely not comfortable enough to spend the night on.
“Yeah, it’s okay.”
“You could’ve slept in the bed.”
“You were unable to give consent.” I wink, trying to lighten the moment.
Kevin groans. “I’m so sorry about this, Hayley.”
I stand and wrap the comforter around me.
“What happened?”
“Claire told me she loves me.”
I’m confused, and a frown creases between my eyes as Kevin drops his head into his hands again. I move closer and put an arm around his shoulder, waiting for him to finish his thought, but he doesn’t. I feel like I’m missing something.
“Why is that a bad thing?”
“Because…” He scrubs a hand through his hair. “I can’t.”
Again, I wait for him to embellish, but he doesn’t. He just sits with his head in his hands as he draws in shallow breaths as if any deeper ones will shatter him. I know he probably wants to be left alone right now, but based on how he looks,