REBEL

Chapter Fifty Three

Of  course he did. Who couldn't love Dom Gaines? He was made to be loved.

" And he loves you. "

Rebel put the phone down next to him. He wanted to cry. He had done enough of that. Crying was better than what he wanted to do.

Go find one of his old connections and get enough white beauty that he went flying higher and higher until he crashed into a blessed nothing.

" Why are you ignoring him? "

" Bailey, stop talking or I will hide your pain pills. "

Bailey snorted as he gratefully sank into a nearby arm chair and crossed his legs. " Good luck. I already hide them from you. "

" You do not. "

" I do too. You're an addict, Rebel. I'm not stupid. "

Rebel made a face. " A recovering addict. Thank you very much. "

" Is there a difference? Answer the question. Why are you ignoring him? You talk to his sister in law. "

Yes he did. Every day they talked by phone. Usually about Sissy. And Sallie. And Jed. She was very understanding and listened well. She never told him what to do. She just listened. She always told him how much Dom missed him though. He never failed to hang up when she mentioned that.

" You talk to Reese. "

Yes. Reese had gotten his number from Dom and started the daily calls. Reese told him that he had also had a frightening experience with a serial killer that nearly ended him and Rebel related to it. Rebel apologized about the CD being on hold. Reese told him he didn't care.

( " It's more important that you heal. " )

Of course as soon as Reese mentioned Dom he hung up.

" You talk to his parents for God's sake. "

Rebel laughed. " Nobody can hang up on Pop. He's too sweet. And that woman kept calling to check on me.  I'm not sending her to voicemail. She's scary. Like Mussolini. "

Bailey steepled his fingers. "I find her quite charming. Mrs. Gaines. "

Rebel rolled his eyes. " Of course you do. You are her. Bossy controlling bastard. "

" Rebel. "

Rebel closed his eyes. He was so tired. He didn't sleep well at night. Too many dreams that featured Jed and Emily and Ricky Joe. Ricky Joe never spoke in the dreams. Just stood and looked sad at him. He could sleep better next to Dom. He missed it. He missed Dom. Damn it.

" He's better off without me," Rebel murmured. " I'm damaged. Who could love someone like me ? "

Emily appeared faintly in the corner of his blue and white bedroom. Her eyes drank in her brother's face. " Everyone. "