Following Me by Linde, K.A. (best books to read in your 20s .txt) 📗

Someone cleared her throat, andBrennan pulled back from the kiss.  Devon blushed and looked over to see Hadleyand Garrett standing together in the doorway.

“Hope we’re not interrupting,”Hadley said, planting her hands on her hips.

“Course not,” Devon said.  Shelooked back at Brennan.  “I didn’t know you called them.”

Brennan shrugged.  “I thoughtthey’d want to know you were here.”

“Of course we wanted to know youwere here.”  Hadley tossed her oversized purse on the floor and rushed over toDevon’s side.  “You came to visit me when I was here.  I couldn’t imagine notvisiting you.”

“It’s good to see you,” Devonsaid with a smile.

“Do you guys mind giving us aminute?” Hadley asked, shooing them out of the room.

Brennan kissed Devon’s foreheadonce more.  “Want anything from the cafeteria?”

She smiled.  Alwaysthoughtful.  “Jell-O.”

He chuckled.  “You’re in theright place for that.”

Hadley waited for Brennan to walkout of the room and close the door.  “Oh my God, I can’t believe what happenedto you.  How are you feeling?  I’m so sorry I’ve been so completelyself-absorbed.  I had no idea any of this was going on.  Don’t kill Garrettor anything, but he told me what happened with you and Reid.”

“He did?” Devon asked, herstomach twisting at someone else telling her story.

“Yeah, but don’t hate him.  Hewas worried about you, and he stayed up all night.  When I woke up, he told meabout it, and I was completely flipping out.  I tried calling you, but youdidn’t answer.  He said you weren’t with Brennan, so I didn’t even try him.  Iprobably should have.”

“I was, uh…worried that Reidmight come after me at Brennan’s, so I didn’t want anyone to know where I was. Sorry, bad move on my part.”

“No apologies,” Hadley said, brushingoff her apology.  “I can’t blame you for anything.  Look at you.”

“Ha!  Yeah,” Devon said with fakeenthusiasm.

“Garrett also told me about whathappened between you two,” Hadley said softly.  “He wanted to clear the slate. He said you were pissed at him and wouldn’t forgive him.  I don’t blame you forthat either, Dev.  I’m sorry he did that though.  The, uh…drugs really messedme up.”

“What happened to you, Hadley?”Devon asked, wondering if Hadley would finally open up to her.  “I neverthought you would be someone to get caught up in drugs.”

Hadley sighed heavily and tuggedat her ponytail.  “It started casually with some friends.  It wasn’t a big deal,but then, I was sneaking around everywhere and…it became a bigger deal than I everlet on.  Then, the stuff with Garrett not knowing and his parents on top of allthe pressure at work…it just spiraled out of control.”  Hadley took a deepbreath before continuing.  “But I’m going to get better, Dev.  That night withGarrett…I was paranoid, thinking he was cheating.  I was angry all the time. When we got into our fight on the Fourth of July, I’d snorted some coke beforethe event.  I was always too nervous around his parents.  I shouldn’t have goneoff on him or his dad.  I think my behavior pushed him over the edge.”

“It doesn’t matter, Hadley,”Devon said, reaching out for her.

Devon hated that her best friendfelt responsible at all for what had happened.  Hadley had been selfish, butcocaine was addictive for a reason.  It was hard to kick.  Devon was just gladto see Hadley recovering.

“It does.  My therapist said thatI should try to right the wrongs in my life.  I’m really sorry for not beingthere when you needed me…when you came to me for help.  Even if you didn’t askfor help, I should have known.  And I’m sorry for Garrett’s behavior.  He and Ihave a lot to talk about and work out, but I really want to try with him, Dev.”

“I know,” Devon said.

“He said he wanted to talk to youfor just a minute…that is, if you’ll see him,” Hadley said.

“Um…sure.”

“Alright.  Let me go get him,”Hadley said, standing.  “I’m glad you’re doing better, Dev.”

“Thanks, Hadley.”

When Hadley reached the door, sheturned around and faced Devon with a devilish smile on her face.  “I wish I hadbeen there when Brennan beat the shit out of Reid.”

Devon laughed and shook her head.

“I think I would have taken hisballs if I knew what he had done to you,” Hadley said.

“I believe you wholeheartedly,Hadley.”

Hadley laughed and walked throughthe door.

A couple minutes later, Garrettshuffled into the room with a sheepish look on his face.  “Hey, Devon,” he saidtentatively.

Devon sighed and looked out thewindow.

“I don’t know if Hadley told youthat I told her,” he said awkwardly.

“She did.”

“Oh, good,” Garrett muttered.  “Iwanted her to know the truth about what I did because it was wrong of me underany circumstances.  I shouldn’t have kissed you.  I shouldn’t have…cheated onher.”

Garrett cleared his throat whenshe didn’t say anything.  He started again.  “I messed up, Devon.  I was yourfriend, and I messed that up.  I know that I’m part of the reason you’re here. I’m not even going to ask for your forgiveness because if I were in yourposition, I think I’d have a hard time forgiving me.”

Devon sighed and turned to lookat him.  He looked just like Hadley had said, like he hadn’t slept all night. She wondered if he had been worried.  Her heart softened some at the thought.

“So, while I don’t expect you toforgive me, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to be better.  All I’m askingfor is the chance to try to earn your trust again.  I don’t think it’s fair toask for more than that, but I’ve never been sorrier.  I hate seeing you likethis,” he said, gesturing to the bed.

“Okay,” she said softly.  “It’sokay.  We’ll, uh…get through it…get past it.”

Garrett beamed like she had justhanded him the keys to a brand-new sports car.  “It’s really good to hearthat.”

“Can I ask just one question?”

“Of course,” he said hesitantly.

“Why would you answer my phoneand tell Reid where I was?”  She looked down at her hands to keep from cryingagain.  She was tired of crying.

“I didn’t mean for him to knowwhere you were.  I’ve replayed that phone call a million times in my head.  Iwas so pissed that he was calling you.  You’re my friend, Dev.  I didn’t wantto see you upset.  I just told