Page 28 of Strike A Chord
“All right, guys,” Jason rose, I’d say stood but the swaying kept him from that. “No practice. Sleep. Sleep is good. Wed-wed-Wednesday meeting.” He handed me a couple of twenties, but I shook my head.
“Your drinks were paid for.”
“Sweet. I’m out.” He stumbled toward the bar door and Daniel followed him out to make sure he got in with the right driver. Not long after, Nigel and Marley did the same and left Josh semi passed out with his head on the bar top while Holly, Daniel, and I went through our closing ritual.
“Come on, handsome, time to go home.” I helped steady him as I took his arm when he tried and failed to do it on his own.
“I love you.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
“You don’t love me, though, huh? That’s okay.”
“I do, I just don’t want the first time I say it to be when you’re drunk. Ask me again in the morning.
“’Kay.”
I highly doubted he’d remember I admitted to it let alone the entire conversation. Josh believed he was unlovable and resolved to live a loveless life. I, however, felt differently, though I had no idea how to show someone what love was when all they’d known was what it’s not. Thankfully, I’d talked to Mom earlier and let her know what was going on and why Josh was drinking. I’d hate for her to think his being drunk was the norm when it wasn’t. Tonight was in celebration, which she understood, versus his last depression-driven bender. Still, not nightly but I’d learned enough to understand how and why they occurred.
With the bar locked up and Josh loaded into the car, I drove home. He slept most of the way, well, passed out. Again. “Where-where are we?” he stuttered when I roused him.
“Home, baby.”
“I live with you?” How long did Josh think he slept for?
“Not yet, babe, but soon.”
“I can’t wait.”
Truth serum score two, Josh, zero.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you inside.” After going through the familiar motions of putting Josh to bed, I set the trash can beside it, took a shower and crawled in with him. Drunk or not, holding him while we slept was heavenly.
“Good morning, Rockstar.” Laughing with a mouthful of coffee wasn’t recommended. I nearly shot it across the table when she said that. Mom’s playful teasing of Josh made me love her even more. “You want a hot, greasy plate of…” She didn’t get to finish that before Josh bolted out of the kitchen and down the hall. I heard the toilet seat hit the tank and gagging ensued. Bet he regretted those nachos from last night now.
Mom had a bit of an evil streak and cackled so hard she couldn’t breathe. “Oh my god, he’s got to come over more often. This is far too much fun.”
“Great to see you, too, Becky.” Josh’s dry attempt at humor had me rolling. “I’m nothing if not entertaining.”
“Babe, sorry, but you did it to yourself.”
“We were celebrating. Don’t I get some sort of a hall pass for that?” Mom set a plate overflowing with eggs, toast, and potatoes in front of him and Josh turned a horrid shade of green.
“Just eat the toast, it’ll help. Congratulations on the contract. Reagan said you’re a hell of a guitar player.” The green morphed to pink at mom’s comment. Josh was getting better about taking compliments and hopefully with time, he’d see his own worth and realize the truth in them.
“Thank you.”
“Where’s your guitars and stuff?” He came in empty handed and I hoped like hell in his drunken stupor he hadn’t misplaced any of it.
“Masterson is storing it. Looks like I’ll be spending a lot of time in Seattle after we’re signed. Sal’s got us coming in tomorrow and said he’ll have our agenda ready, too. Man, I’ve waited so fuc...” Josh paused and glanced at Mom. “So long for this. It’s hard to believe it’s actually happening.”
“I’ll just leave you boys to it. I need to get logged on.” Mom kissed the top of his head as she moved past him. “And congratulations again.”
“Thanks, Becky, and thank you for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.”
As soon as I heard her office door shut, I asked what I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer to. “So, want to start with how you got the bruise?” I poured Josh a cup of coffee and took a seat, ready for what I assumed would be a lengthy tale.