30. Addiction

A/N: Ohhh Jordan, how we shall miss you in the playoffs.


Song: The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work


JORDAN'S POV


After driving Ella home last night, Max sent me a message telling me to come to Diesel. I had declined, too much bad shit had happened there recently for me to go back – Lola, Sophie’s stupid kiss. I didn’t need to muck this up anymore, we were going well, slowly but I really like Ella and I didn’t want to spoil what we had going right now.

Some cretin was hammering on my door. What the hell? It’s only eight. Pulling on last night’s jeans I headed towards the door. Whoever it was better have some good excuse for this. I yanked it open seeing a sheepish Max and an apologetic looking TK standing there, reeking of alcohol, still dressed in last night’s clothes.

“This had better be good,” I said letting them into my apartment as Max punched my stomach as he walked pas - homo twat. I watched them flop down on my couches as I put some coffee on. Now I’m up, I might as well stay up.

“Who pissed in your cornflakes?” TK asked as I handed him a cup of coffee. You, but knowing there was a reason they were probably here, I’d keep schtum for a while. Knowing that TK had probably gone out last night without Kelsey letting him – he was whipped- and Max had locked himself out of his place, they’d come to mine before practice knowing I’d be here.

“So why are you here?” I said, sitting in front of the TV.

“Well….” TK began. “Max you say it.”

“We saw Sophie last night,” Max began. “And she was in this alley, and it looked like, I’m certain she was, but not enough to put my mother’s life on it, that she was doing drugs. I don’t know if she was selling or buying, but we, well we saw it, and now we’re telling you.”

“Because I’m supposed to know what to do? Sophie’s crazy,” I replied. “And what were you doing in an alley anyway?” I didn’t really want to know but I might as well know the whole story.

“Only passing, on the way to Blush, man, you should have come, you missed out, they were pure filth, this one had her clit pierced, she's new,” TK said grinning at the thought of last night's visit. The visit that always got us into trouble with Penguins PR. This coming from the guy who is in a serious relationship, Kelsey would have a fit if she knew he’d gone to Blush. It’s the one place Kelsey doesn’t allow him to visit. TK practically had a thumb print on his forehead from Kelsey’s thumb. He was pussy whipped.

“Anyway, you have to tell Ella, if she doesn’t already know, parce que, well, she has a right to know what Sophie’s doing,” Max said, looking disgusted at the coffee I’d made him. “Remind me never to have coffee here again, dude, you can’t cook let alone make coffee.” TK looked at his cup as if it contained some sort of poison and edged it on to the table next to him. It might not be Starbucks standard but it’s drinkable, the Frenchie can go screw himself or make it himself next time.

“So I have to tell my girlfriend that her best friend is doing drugs,” I repeated, clarifying what Max had told me. Max nodded, happy that I'd caught on so quickly.

“We can be here if you want when you tell her, if it makes it easier,” TK offered. It really would – I didn’t want to seem like a nutjob saying it, and having Max and TK would help as moral support. I suck in these situations.

“So you guys are official now?” Max asked. I grinned.

“Taking it slowly, but yeah, it’s gooood.” And it really was. I’m really happy right now, I’m playing well, I’ve been putting the points away, the team’s comfortable and I’ve got this great, intelligent girlfriend who makes me feel hot every time I see her.

I picked up my phone and searched for Ella, motioning for TK and Max to be quiet. Walking through to the kitchen I listened to the humming of her phone ringing.
“Hello?” she answered not knowing it was me. She sounded breathless.

“Hey, it’s me. Can you come over? It’s important, I know you have work but I need to tell you something.”

“OK, should I be worried? Do you need anything on my way over?”

“No, just come. See you in a bit.” I hung up. I didn’t want to give too much away on the phone but as Max had told me, I have to tell her. She’s living in the same apartment as Ella and Gina, and hopefully Sophie can quit before it’s too late.


“Do I tell Ella that Sophie kissed me at Diesel?” I asked. I don’t know if that would help matters right now or not.

TK and Max both shook their heads. “Why tell her what she doesn’t have to know?”

“What if Sophie tells her?” I asked. Jesus, insecure much Jordy?

“Deny, deny, deny,” Max said. “She was probably high. She probably thought you were something else. Stretch, chill.”


About twenty minutes later, Ella knocked on the door. She looked gorgeous in this flowery dress thing and a little jacket.
“This had better be good, I was en route to the library.” She dumped a bag of books and notes in the hall before following me into the lounge. She was a little surprised to see Max and TK spread out on a sofa, but she relaxed knowing that whatever was important wasn’t about our relationship. I pulled her into my body, planting a kiss into her hair. She smelt of coconut and flowers. She gave me a quick kiss on the lips which made me briefly think about sending the guys home and taking her on my couch.

“Umm, Ella, how’s Sophie?” TK asked.

“Good, I think, haven’t seen her for a few days, why?” TK had piqued Ella’s curiosity now. Maybe that wasn't the best way to start this conversation - either way it wasn't going to be easy.

“Well, we saw her last night, and she didn’t look too good. We were outside Diesel, on the way to Blush. We saw her and it looked like she was doing drugs,” Max said. I could feel Ella’s slim frame tense as Max said the last few words.

“WHAT?!” Ella exclaimed, her shoulders beginning to shake. "This is bullshit, right?"