Page 156 of Broken Lines

Jackson steps on a puddle of broth and noodles and instantly loses his footing. I gasp, but he’s laughing as he falls onto his ass on the floor.

“Fuck, are you okay?”

“See? I told you ramen is shit.”

My concern drops like a bad habit. My eyes narrow to slits as he sits there laughing on the floor, bringing the bottle to his lips.

Fuck this.

I turn and start to walk out of the kitchen.

“Where are you—”

“Away,” I snap.

And then I hear it. First, him slumping against the island.

Then the sound of cocaine being sniffed.

I whirl on him, marching over in a blind rage and sneering down into his glassy-eyed face. But Jackson just grins up at me, raising a hand.

“Little help?”

“No.”

“What?

“I saidno, Jackson.”

I start to turn away when his hand slides up to cup my ass.

I shiver. And for a second, I almost break. I almost cave, and sink onto his lap to kiss him, or fuck away this stupid shadow hanging over us, and between us.

But I don’t.

“I’m going to bed.”

“Melody—”

“Go drink yourself into a stupor for all I care. And don’t you fuckingdarecome up tonight,” I spit venomously.

“Mel—”

“Or I’ll leave.”

He goes silent. When I turn to him, he’s glaring at me, still on the floor, still bringing that fucking bottle to his lips.

“I’m sorry,” he grunts quietly.

“Yeah, me too.”

Then I turn and march away. And I manage to keep it together until the second I’m behind the door of his bedroom.

And then, I lose it completely.

35

Melody