Free Well Rocked by Clara Bayard

mode. “Okay, everyone leave us alone for a minute. I need ice-cold water and a gallon of coffee.”
    Joe shoved the other guys out of the room and then came back in. “Whatever you’re gonna do, hurry. We told Ryan Dex got here, but didn’t mention what state he’s in.”
    “Got it. Thank you.”
    He nodded, looked at me with pity, and left.
    I slid down to the floor, raising Dex’s head to rest in my lap. The stench of liquor on him made me a little queasy, but it didn’t matter.
    “Dex,” I said loudly, shaking his arm. “Dex, can you hear me?”
    He groaned softly, but didn’t open his eyes. I scanned down his body and saw a few scrapes and tears, as if he’d fallen down quite a bit. Worried about a concussion, I dug gently through his dark hair, but didn’t feel any bumps or signs of bruising.
    Apparently my touch helped, though. His eyes fluttered open and then squinted. “Too bright.”
    I let out a panicked laugh. He spoke. That was a really good sign.
    “Honey, you really scared me. Where have you been all day?”
    “Drinking.”
    “That much I could tell. Where?”
    “Everywhere. You’d be surprised how many places there are to get drunk in the middle of the day. And now that I’m a celebra-cebret- shit , famous guy, lots of people bought me drinks.”
    Now that he was safe, and generally okay, I let the anger I’d been holding back spring to the surface. “Well that’s lovely. So glad you had a nice day. But you’ve got a show in less than an hour. And everyone’s been worried sick.”
    He sat up quickly, but then leaned against me as his face went green and his eyes unfocused. “Don’t want worry. I’m fine. How many fucking times do I have to tell you I’m fine?”
    “This is fine? You’re completely wasted. I don’t even know how you got here.”
    “Simple. I…well, I’m not sure. But I’m here. Ready to rock and roll.” He cackled, and then held a hand up to his forehead. “Ouch.”
    I pushed him so he rested against the wall instead of me, and got up. “You’re being such an asshole right now.”
    “So what? My father is dead. I can be an arse, asshole if I want.”
    “That’s true. But I don’t have to stand here and watch you do it.”
    “You wouldn’t leave me.”
    “I will. When you’re ready to talk and deal with this, I’ll be there. But I won’t stand by while you drink yourself into oblivion.”
    “Bull. You won’t go because you love me and you know I need you.”
    I wanted to punch him. And hug him. And tell him, “Yes, I do love you, but I hate you right now.”
    But I didn’t do any of those things. I put my cup of coffee down on the table and walked out the door without saying a word.
    Outside I ran into Matthew. He was holding a whole carafe of coffee and a few bottles of water.
    I smiled at him. “Thank you. Take that in to him if you want. I need a break.”
    “Okay. Hey, wait a second.”
    I turned around. “What is it?”
    “He’s crazy in love with you. Whatever happens, don’t give up on him.”
    Shaking my head, I sighed and continued down the hallway.
    * * *
    Calling the fact that Dex managed to play the show a miracle felt like the understatement of my life. His performance was far from perfect, but some combination of a little sleep, a lot of coffee, and the deafening noise sobered him up enough to get through the set without embarrassing himself. I watched from the wings, holding my breath most of the time.
    Most shows Dex was magnetic and constantly in motion. Playing off of Joe and the others, drawing the audience into his music effortlessly. This time was different. He got through the songs fine, but there was no action. He stood in one spot and connected with no one. But considering the state I’d found him in, it was a triumph of professionalism. Relatively speaking.
    Once the encore was over, he headed out the back and into the waiting van. I made eye contact with Ryan to make sure he saw I was leaving too, and