Revive (Book Two)

Chapter Eighteen: Unravel

Chapter Eighteen: Unravel

"Thanks," I quietly uttered and swiped the brand new pack of smokes off of the glass counter of the convenience store. My black, beat up hat was on low so no one could see my face and how bad the bags under my eyes were. It was as if I had two black eyes.

The last time I snorted a line was thirteen hours ago because Aria stayed later than usual last night, having left at midnight. And I had to make a stupid fucking deal with her that I would be sober while I was around her out of respect and so I could keep my head on straight. I was an idiot.

I swung the glass door open fast and exited the building with a purpose; to find blow.

With my hat lowered, and my eyes averted to the ground, I hadn't realized someone was in my way when I bumped hard into an older fella with a beer belly. Dropping my smokes, I cursed almost inaudibly and bent down to retrieve my stress reliever. My nose dripped, having me snort the liquid contents back into my system as I came back up.

I stared head on with the guy and froze in place. The man with stubbly grey hair gawked in return as the two of us had an uninvited staring contest.

"Eli what are you doing here?" He asked, a surprised tone overtaking his throat. "I thought you fucked off a long time ago."

I stared at him once more like a deer in headlights, then wiped my ongoing nose and averted my eyes. I side stepped him and continued walking to my truck while grabbing a smoke out of my new pack.

"What, are you too cowardly to talk to me or have the toxins finally gone to your head and you've completely forgotten who I was?" He called behind me, having me stop in my tracks.

I turned around and faced him, who was at the same spot I left him in.

"You're not looking too good, pal. Lookin' like you haven't slept in over a month," He shook his head slowly with a frown. "It's like looking back in the past, five-six years ago when I first met ya'."

I stared at Shawn while my body uncontrollably shivered from the lack of fucking drugs. "It's not far off," I muttered and went to turn around.

"Wait!" He called out again. My eyes stared at the sky momentarily before I took an angry breath and lifelessly turned my body back to face him.

"What do you want?" I asked. I felt defeated and the last thing I felt like doing was facing him after I've disappointed him once again. I felt sick.

"How are you doing?" He scratched his almost bald head and stepped forward. His face softened as he spoke.

I held my breath, and averted my eyes to the ground in front of us. I adjusted the beat up hat on my head and attempted to act normal, but I was fooling myself.

"I'm fine," I said low. I'll be better with a fix.

Shawn had his brows furrowed while he stood there and took a long, good look at me. He looked everywhere, and I could do nothing but stand up straighter to look like I was better than I was. My only saving grace was although I was doing heavy drugs again, I still pulled myself together enough to work out to keep myself as big and strong as I had been since rehab. I had no choice with the demons I was going to eventually have to face.

I was hoping that'd be enough for him to back off.

Shawn walked closer to me and closed off the far distance between us. My hand was at my side, inches away from my truck where I could easily grab the handle and escape.

He cleared his throat. "Come to the shop soon. - When you're in a better... state of mind." He had trouble getting out. "When you're ready, we can have a chat." He smiled with sympathy. I saw his missing molar.