Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“Are you seriously mad right now? You just won fifteen thousand euros off those pricks. You should be celebrating.”
I stared at Jace, gobsmacked. “Fifteen thousand?”
He reached down and grabbed something off the floor before tossing it in my lap. It was the black bag he’d been carrying. I opened it up and peered inside. “It was only three after I paid back what knucklehead here lost. It’s also in casino chips. No way am I ever cashing them. Those blokes looked like they wanted to fillet me and fry me up for dinner.”
“Of course, we’re cashing them,” Elias argued. “We’ll just go back in the morning when it’s quiet. Besides, I need that money for …” He trailed off, realising what he’d been about to reveal. Unfortunately, Jace and I already knew he owed someone else money, probably a lot by the sounds of it.
“To pay back your other debts?”
“What? No. I just mean—”
“You need help,” Jace said. “Take it from someone who’s been there.”
“This isn’t the same as your addiction, Jace. It’s just a little bit of fun that got out of hand. It won’t happen again, I swear.”
“How many times did I say that to you, Shannon?” Jace asked, and my stomach hollowed remembering him strung out and making empty promises to change. That this time was the last time.
“Too many,” I answered.
“See?” he said, making eye contact with Elias through his rearview mirror. “I know what I’m talking about. You’re always on those gambling apps, too. Is that where it started?”
“Fuck you with the judgy tone,” Elias snapped. “Stop here. I’m getting out.”
“No, I’m dropping you back to your apartment. Then tomorrow morning, I’m going to give you the money to pay off your debts. After that, we’re booking you into a rehab clinic.”
“I don’t need rehab,” Elias said, though he’d lost some steam. I turned again to peer at him and saw he had his arms folded, his expression furrowed. He looked like a lost little boy, and that was an achievement, given he was a large, muscle bound, six-foot-something rockstar.
“You should tell your parents. They’ll help, too.”
“I’m not telling them. I can’t … I can’t face their disappointment, just … I’ll do what you say, go stay at a clinic or whatever. Just please don’t say anything to my parents.”
Jace was silent for a long while before he responded, “Okay, but if this happens again, I’m telling them, Elias. It’s for your own good. I mean, fuck, you’ve burned through all your money. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose your home. Is that what you want?”
“Of course not. I guess I just didn’t realise how out of control things had gotten.”
The statement was an obvious lie, but neither Jace nor I called him on it. If Elias was broke, then he’d clearly known for a while that he had a problem. A quiet fell, and we drove in silence. My heart went out to Elias, but at the same time, I didn’t like the idea of Jace paying off all his debts if he was just going to go back out and gamble again. It was too much of an easy fix. Plus, this was Elias’ first attempt at giving up, and from my experience with an addict, I knew the first attempt was rarely successful. Nor the second, third, or fourth, for that matter. These things took a long time, and they were a lifelong journey with ups and downs.
Jace parked outside Elias’ apartment building, telling him he’d be back in the morning to sort everything else out. When he was gone, Jace didn’t immediately drive away, instead letting his head drop to the steering wheel and emitting a tired groan. I reached out instinctively and rubbed his back. He turned his head to look at me, and I felt the stress of the long day linger between us.
“You okay?” I asked softly.
“Not really.”
“Oh, Lister.”
“But it’s better because you’re here.” He took my hand in his, smoothing his fingers over my knuckles. “You’re my rock.”
And you’re mine. I had no idea how lonely I’d become, how much I’d missed him until he was back in my life, bringing joy into my world. Being a parent felt so much lighter with Jace there to take half the load, and he never complained, never once acted like it was a burden. His love for Zara was so strong I imagined he’d take on twice the responsibility if he had to. It gave me peace to know that if anything ever happened to me, she wouldn’t be alone in the world. She’d have her dad, and he’d do everything in his power to keep her safe, happy and healthy.
“Let’s go home,” he said, and something about the statement had my heart clenching because, whether he realised it or not, he’d come to think of my house as home.