She winced when another roar went through the crowd. “God, no. My head is going to explode from all this screaming.”
They were out of the arena less than thirty minutes after they’d gotten there, Gage’s phone ringing just as they reached his car. He pulled it out, frowned at the number, then muttered, “Give me a sec,” before taking several steps away.
It couldn’t be considered eavesdropping when the other person wasn’t bothering to lower their voice, right?
Because there was no way not to hear Gage’s ferocious, “Are you kidding me?”
Skyler flinched at the note of fury in his tone, wondering who the caller was. She’d never seen Gage this upset before.
“Just stay there. I’m on my way over.” Anger lined his strides as he walked back to the car. “Change of plans,” he said roughly. “I’m taking you home, but I can’t stay over tonight.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to go see my brother.”
“I’ll come with you,” she said instantly.
Gage hesitated, looking so unhappy with the idea she felt a tad insulted.
“Are you expecting any trouble?” she asked pointedly.
“No, probably not. I doubt it’ll even take too long, but—”
“Then it makes even more sense for me to come along,” she interrupted. “We can stop in on your brother, and then head to my place like we originally intended.”
“Sky…” His tone was laced with reluctance.
“If you’re worried about this being some kind of big relationship step, then don’t. It’s just your brother—it’s not like I’m meeting your parents or anything. What’s the harm in letting me tag along?” She knew she was pushing him, but she couldn’t seem to stop. She wanted another glimpse, just one more tiny glimpse into Gage’s life. She’d gotten one now at the arena, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted more, darn it.
“Please?” she said softly.
After a long pause, he let out a weary curse. “Fine, you can come. We won’t be there long, anyway.” Then he sighed. “C’mon, let’s go.”
Chapter Nine
Gage’s brother lived in a converted town house that consisted of four apartments. Denny’s was on the ground floor with an entrance located at the side of the brick house, and the lightbulb over the door shone bright when Gage and Skyler walked up.
Gage reached for the screen door, glancing at the woman by his side. “You can wait out here if you want.”
He found himself praying she’d agree. Denny had sounded alert and sober on the phone, but you never knew with him. Gage had once seen his brother carry on an entire conversation with two police officers while tripping on half a dozen hits of acid.
Crap, why had he let Skyler convince him to bring her?
Because you can’t say no to the damn woman.
Nope, he certainly couldn’t. All it had taken was the disappointed glimmer in her beautiful eyes and her soft “please” and he’d caved like a cheap tent.
Except…it was more than that. A part of him had wanted her to come. Maybe if she met Denny, if she saw what Gage had to deal with, she’d…what? Understand him better? Understand why he couldn’t give her more than a fling?
“I’ll come in with you,” she said, her quiet voice interrupting his troubled thoughts.
His head jerked in a nod. He was about to stick his key in the lock when the door swung open and his brother appeared.
Gage instantly ran through the usual routine—examined Denny’s pupils, checked his bare arms for fresh track marks, inhaled deeply for any lingering scents of crack or heroin. But Denny looked as sober as he’d sounded earlier, and the only odor hanging in the air was the faint whiff of pot smoke.
“Hey,” Denny said awkwardly.
“Hey.” Gage cleared his throat. “This is Skyler.”
“Nice to meet you.” His brother stuck out his hand, which Skyler tentatively shook. “Come in. I don’t want to talk out here.”
They followed him inside, where the smell of marijuana got stronger. “You’re smoking weed again?” Gage couldn’t hide his disapproval.
Denny was ahead of them so his face was hidden from view, but his shoulders sagged at the accusation. “No, Gage, I’m not smoking weed again. I’m also not drinking, mainlining H, popping E and acid, or smoking crack. I’m clean, just like I’ve been for the last three months.”
No bitterness in his voice, just tired resignation. He led them to the living room, where Gage noticed all the windows had been cranked open to let in fresh air. His brother went to sit on the couch, but Gage remained standing. Skyler ended up in the plaid upholstered recliner, timidly crossing her legs together.