The Resistance(68)
Tommy starts talking, “You took drugs. You took them when you said you weren’t going to do that shit anymo—”
“Not you!” he demands, pointing his finger at Tommy. I jump in response, startled. “I don’t give a shit what you have to say. I want her to tell me.” Dalton takes a breath and exhales while coming closer. “What’s going on, Holliday?”
When he reaches me, I take his hand and tug gently, encouraging him to come with me. “We should talk.”
He’s hesitant but follows, sitting down next to me on the couch. When I glance over at Tommy, he says, “I’m gonna get myself a drink. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
Dalton is quick. “Why would she need you?”
“I meant either of you. If either of you need anything. Fuck, Johnny. You make things so damn hard.” He walks off, mumbling to himself.
“What do you remember?” I ask, rubbing Dalton’s leg to bring his attention back to me.
“I didn’t do any,” he says. “I remember that much.”
Looking at my lap, I bring my hand back and entwine my fingers to keep them to myself. “You were definitely on drugs. We have no doubt about that.” I look up, not afraid of him or his outbursts, his darkness or his demons. “Are you saying you were drugged?”
“I’m saying I didn’t take any drugs. I remember a crazy dream, but that’s it.”
“You scared the shit out of me. I thought you were dying and I didn’t know how to save you. I had to run through a house full of people looking for someone I’ve never met who I knew would keep it from becoming a spectacle.”
He gaze falls away and he says, “I’m sorry.” When he looks back up, his spirit is gone, a sadness replacing it. “Thank you.”
“You should tell that to Tommy. He knew what to do.”
He nods.
Leaning forward, I touch his cheek and then kiss him. Whispering, I say, “I’m here for you. I’ll be whatever you need me to be, but I know my limits and last night got pretty damn close to crossing it when you accused me of cheating and then the drugs.”
Turning his head to the side, our eyes meet. “I’m sorry,” he says, “I swear I didn’t take any drugs.”
I search his eyes for the lie I expect to find, but I don’t see it, not even hidden in the deep green edges. Finding sincerity instead, I smile and hug him. “I was so scared.”
“I’m sorry,” he says, hugging me, his hold on me tight.
Tommy comes back out and says, “I went ahead and ordered dinner.”
“It’s nighttime?” Dalton asks, his expression still a bit confused as he rubs his head.
“You’ve been asleep all day. I kept checking to make sure you were breathing, but Tommy said you were fine.”
He doesn’t apologize this time, but I see the regret in his eyes.
Over Chinese food, we spend the evening going over the details of the night before. With his chopsticks in the air, he says, “Dex didn’t make me any drinks last night. I drank beer at his house, bottled beer, so I don’t think I was slipped anything.”
“Did you smoke anything?” Tommy asks, putting a bite of Kung Pao Chicken in his mouth.
“I’ve cut down, but I bummed a few cigarettes at the reception,” he replies. “I needed it.”
“I would too,” Tommy adds, “if I had that kind of crazy coming after me.”
“What kind of crazy?” I ask, sitting upright.
Tommy speaks without thinking. “The lovely bride decided she wanted her present in the form of Johnny.”
“Tommy,” Dalton warns.
I stare at Dalton as he glares at Tommy. “Tell me what happened,” I say, losing my appetite.
Dalton looks at me. “It’s no big deal. Nothing happened.”
“Something happened or Tommy wouldn’t have said that.”
“He’s talking shit. Nothing happened.”
After wiping my mouth with a napkin, I calmly set it down on my plate and push away from the table. I stand up, irritated, and head for the bathroom. Dalton reaches for me, but misses, his fingertips grazing my hand. “Holliday.”
My pace picks up. He runs to catch me, jumping in front of me and blocking my way. “Hey. Nothing happened.”
I look away. “Okay, nothing happened.”
He lifts my chin and directs me to face him. “I don’t want you to repeat what I say. I want you to believe me.”
Pursing my lips, I bite the inside of my cheek in contemplation. “I’ve been cheated on, I’ve been berated, and I’ve been treated secondary to business, sports, family, and cars in relationships. Through all of the crap I’ve been through, the one person I knew I could always rely on was me. So if you’re standing there asking me to trust you, sometimes I’m gonna struggle.”