DRASTIC (Book 4 of the Soundcrush Series)

Chapter 23: Smart Girls Get Job Offers

The song is a cover of  By Your Side, by Sade. I liked an acoustic cover for this but couldn't really find one that blows me away. Still, I think this one by Jackie Lopez is sweet and vulnerable, maybe like Marley would sing it.

Marley

Riley's  judgement is oppressive as he glares at Bodie. 

Bodie doesn't care at all. 

He's standing over me in a casual cool stance, a look of lazy lust on his face. 

He's a wasted god, and I'm a mere mortal at his feet.

"Whatchya doing down there?" he grins. "You don't belong down there, baby. You belong up here with me." 

Bodie is surprisingly strong, despite his skinny frame, as he hauls me up and into his arms. We sway slightly from his unsteadiness. 

Warmth floods to every inch of my skin, at the same time I think, This is ridiculous.

I'm a grown-ass woman--a psychologist, for goodness sakes. 

I know better than this--to let my feelings rule this situation.

 I know the last thing Bodie needs is a distracting romance. In fact, I know that Bodie should be  an object of detached concern for me. And maybe even slightly gross at this point. But the way we are looking at each other's mouths, the way his hands feel on me and the way mine feel on him...

I haven't felt this way in almost fourteen years. 

My high, hurting, troubled drummer boy?

He makes me feel young again. 

I think he's going to kiss me, but as he draws nearer, he turns my head to the side, and places a series of rapid kisses to my temple and hair. "You look real sexy, biting your lip like that, but you don't want to kiss me right now. Believe me. I'm in serious need of a shower and a toothbrush."

I laugh and blush at the same time, as I release him slowly, making sure he's steady. "Boy, you trippin'. I don't kiss any old rock star. I have standards."

"Hmmm. Still holdin' out for Adam, huh? You gonna have to give up the dream, girl. Something tells me he'll be saving all his side kisses for his new Baby Girl."

"Right. I'll be in the car," Riley says tersely and turns abruptly.

"Don't worry about him," Bodie says automatically. "He gets like that."

"He's upset that I dosed you," I tell Bodie.

"I know.  Riley sees in black and white," Bodie sounds frustrated. "Which is a big problem, since I'm...neither." 

I cut my eyes to him, not sure if he's making a joke or not. He collars me with a heavy arm. "Jesus,--laugh girl. We ain't gon' get through all this without the laughter."

I give him a chuckle. "Okay that was funny, but really Bodie...I don't like that you are high right now, anymore than Riley."

"I know, but I am, so I might as well make it count. Let's go see Madam and their baby before I'm on the floor again."

I'm worried about him going down the stairs, but I shouldn't be. He's all smooth grace where I would probably tumble to my death if I were that altered.

Before we get in the car, he turns me toward him on the tarmac and says, "I know you're gonna say you can't do this, but I'm gonna ask you something that's gonna scare you and upset you and make you doubt me, okay?"

"What?"

"I need you to keep those oxy.. It's gonna take days to get to Europe and find a rehab. If you don't keep those, I'm gonna have to get something else. Just tell Kade you left them on the plane, okay? Will you do that for me? Because I swear to you, it's the last time I will ever ask you to help me use, okay? I swear."