I should’ve laughed. Why the hell couldn’t I just laugh? He didn’t mean it. He was playing. I mean, who does that? Who would randomly decide not to go home? Maybe ever. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. When I opened them again, I could see the distance between us, but Drew felt so far away, he might as well have been on the moon. “Sadly, you’re right, but not for any of the reasons you imagine. Let me explain.” I opened my mouth to share more. I had to make him understand. It wasn’t about greed, it was about need.

Instead, Drew stiffened. “Not now. We’re at the hotel. We need to get ready for the wedding. You can have the bathroom. I’ll change in the bedroom.” His door opened and he stepped out of the vehicle.

Last time, he’d held out a hand for me. This time, he left the driver to do it. I inhaled deeply. He was a special kind of mad. I had no one to blame but myself. I stood on the sidewalk and watched as the driver handed off our garment bags, shopping bags, and boxes to the bellhop.

“Right this way,” the young man gestured for us to follow him into the lobby.

Drew strode immediately over to the reservation desk to check us in. The longer he gave me the cold shoulder, the worse I felt. Tears began to prick the backs of my eyes. When he turned toward me, I looked away, refusing to let him see the hurt on my face.

“This way,” he murmured as he stalked toward the elevator. Everything about his demeanor had me in knots.

There was more to this than the fear of losing the money, which I desperately needed to prevent deportation. Emotions were also a trigger for addicts. Now, while Drew pushed me away, I’d have to fight even harder to be around him, to protect him from his dark desires and hidden fears. I’d let down my guard and this was what my weekend had become, one bitter, cold battle for our survival.

We rode the elevator to the top floor in silence. The bellhop glanced between us. The tension was obvious. Hell, it was so thick, it could practically be cut with a knife. When the doors opened, he motioned for me to exit first. Then Drew followed. He had both the cards and I wasn’t even going to bother asking for one. I’d be glued to his angry ass, so it didn’t really matter.

As we trudged down the hall, I’d swear it grew longer. I began to think we’d never make it to the room. Finally, Drew pulled out the keycard and pressed it to the lock, which flashed green, then he opened the door. I reluctantly entered. Instead of being relaxed, like I’d been not so long ago, I was now on alert. Scoping out the room, I saw the minibar was fully stocked. “Can you have all of this removed?” I asked the bellhop.

“Yes miss.” He nodded and hastily exited the suite.

“And there’s the trust we all know I deserve,” Drew sniped. “Don’t worry. I won’t cost you your precious payout. Happy to help line your pockets any day, pussy cat. Hell, there might even be a bonus in it for you, if you leave a list of your other services and pricing on my nightstand.” He gestured to the one in between the queen-sized beds.

“You are such a bastard,” I muttered as I gathered everything he’d bought me for the wedding. I turned on my heels and marched into the bathroom, closing the door so I could hang the garment bag. I set the jewelry on the vanity, the shoe box on the floor, and then I opened the bag with the purse and pulled it out. I planned to switch everything over while we waited for housekeeping to come empty the liquor from the room. Angry as I was, I flung open the door in time to catch him opening a Grey Goose mini bottle.

“Goddamn it,” he hissed at being caught. “Leave me the fuck alone.” He sighed and began to pace, but he didn’t release the bottle. “You know, when I called you pussy cat, I was being nice. You’re giving me pause to reconsider.”

“Don’t get pissy with me,” I grumbled as I threw my bags on the bed and strode over to him. “You’re the one breaking the rules. Hand it over.” I held my open palm out to him. When he failed to respond, I narrowed my eyes. “Now.”

“No.” Drew crossed his arms over his body, the bottle tightly clenched in his fist.

“Cut the crap, Drew. Don’t make me call Ty.” My brow rose in challenge.

He laughed, a cold, disheartening sound. “You can’t handle me so you’re going to call in back up. Awesome.” He rolled his eyes.

“Is that what you think?” I sank down on the bed. “I’m not able to physically wrestle the bottle from you. I’m not even going to try.”

“Wrestling. Could be fun,” he taunted. Then he hopped on the other bed. “Come and get me.”

Filled with frustration, I shook my head as tears pricked my eyes again. It had been a long time since I’d been this emotional. Oh, but back then it was inspired by an addict too. Maybe that’s why this hurt so much. I hadn’t been able to save her, and now I was failing abysmally at saving Drew. “I don’t know why I thought I could do this,” I murmured as I rubbed my temples and stared at the carpet.

“Me neither.” He chuckled sadly. When I looked at him he was laying on the bed, holding the closed bottle above him. “I don’t see me staying sober.”

I watched him for a moment. “The key is to get a handle on your emotions.”

He turned to me, his brows raised. “Like you? I’ve never known anyone more emotional.”

I stood angrily. “For the record, you’re simply remarkably good at pressing all my buttons.”

Drew rolled to his side and leaned on his elbow. “So, now it’s my fault.”

Stomping my foot, I huffed. “I didn’t say that, but naturally that’s what you heard. This is my fault for letting you in, for not setting boundaries, for caring about you. Still, as far as you’re concerned, it’s easier to act like the victim than own your life, right, Drew?” I spun angrily on my heels, wishing I could be anywhere but here, and knowing full well I was out of options. I’d made a commitment. I couldn’t run away because it was hard.

“You’re leaving?” I could hear the fear in his voice.

My shoulders slumped. “Of course not. Why would I leave?” I looked him over. “Was this part of the friendship test?”

“Friendship test?” He scrunched his face up.

“Yeah. You know. The test you give everyone who gets close to you. The one where you push them by degrees to see who’s going to stick it out with you.” I sighed. “I’m not like everyone else.”

Drew sat up on the bed. “That’s right. You’re paid to be my friend.” He shrugged. “Makes sense.”

“No, nothing makes sense yet. You have no idea…” Before I could finish, there was a knock at the door and housekeeping arrived with an empty cart and a basket.

“I’ll take care of this, miss.” The woman nodded at me.

“Be sure to get the one from his hand,” I commented absently.

Drew glared as he dropped it into her basket. “Happy?”

“Thrilled.” I sighed.

For several seconds, I simply stood to the side and watched as she emptied the minibar. Drew made the occasional comment. “Definitely take anything I might enjoy. Yup, I love Skor bars.” He gestured. “Peanut allergy. Those Snickers are all yours.” He waved them away.

Inside, my pain only grew. Then my phone rang in my old purse. I opened it, felt around inside, peeked at the screen and sighed. “Hi, Franco. I’m working.” Drew’s face turned red, then he rolled and stared out the window.

“Listen, Dominik had his appointment yesterday afternoon,” my brother began.

“Okay, cool. Bully for Dominik. Why are you bothering me about this now?” I groaned.

I heard his palm slap the table. “No, the appointment with ICE.”

“Shit.” I sat hard on the bed as my heart began to race.

“He never came home. He would’ve knocked on our door. It’s not like it was out of the way. He lives across the fucking hall.” I heard the kitchen chair scrape across the floor and I knew he was about to sit.

“Did you knock on his door?” I asked weakly.

“Yes. No answer.”

I swallowed hard. “Did you call his cell?”

“Dammit, Talia. That’s the first thing I did. You think I’m helpless. Why the fuck do you think I called? I did all the basic stuff. Now, I don’t know what to do.” He was silent for a moment before admitting quietly, “I’m scared.”

“Me too.” I rubbed my eyes. “Okay, let’s think positive. Call the police. Call the hospitals. Maybe he was in an accident.”

“Alright. I can do that. I just…I couldn’t think,” he mumbled.

“I know. He’s your best friend. You’ve grown up together. I get it.” My throat tightened. There was a good chance Dominik wasn’t coming back. Franco couldn’t afford to lose anyone else. “Text me when you know something,” I croaked.

“Be safe, Talia,” he whispered. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I murmured.

Then the call ended and I realized everyone in the room was staring at me. “Thank you.” I nodded at the maid and she scampered out of the room. As soon as the door closed, Drew was on me.

“You have a boyfriend and you let me kiss you,” he spat.

“I have a brother.” I sighed. “Time to get ready. Is there anything else?” I felt broken.

“Yeah,” he blustered. “Well, what about Dominik?”

“He’s an immigrant friend and neighbor. He may have been deported.” I stared at him sadly. “If there are no more questions, I’m going to go change now.”