Helios Exposed (The Helios Chronicles #2)

by Tawa M. Witko

  “And here I thought it was 'our' company,” Nolan replied with bite.

  Grayson narrowed his eyes. “Back off, Nolan.”

  Nolan smirked and gave a small head nod. Not in agreement, of course, but more to placate Grayson, who operated by the books, never straying far from the line. It was a wonder to him how they had established this company in the first place. Nolan wandered back inside, leaving Grayson to watch his retreating figure. He needed to think about this and ponder his next move.

  8 Darkness Within

  OCTOBER

  The month of October seemed to go by much easier for both Andrew and Madison. Andrew was immensely relieved that Kurtis was no longer in the office with Madison so he didn’t have to worry about her running into him. The Nolan situation however was proving to be problematic as he had dropped by her office building on several occasions on the auspice of helping Mr. Turner with the promotion. On one of these occasions, Madison had told Andrew that Mr. Crawford had offered to take her out, so that he could help her learn what she could do to improve her chances. Thankfully she said no, without hesitation.

  A couple of weeks before Halloween, Andrew had finally conceded and accepted a phone from Madison. Although he complained that he didn’t need a phone, he was actually enjoying it as Madison would often send him random texts throughout the day telling him she loved him or sometimes that she couldn’t wait to have sex with him. He liked those texts a lot.

  B: Will be a tiny bit late tonight, can you order a pizza when you get home?

  E: ok, what kind?

  B: You know what I like.

  E: I didn't know they had my ‘you know what’ on the menu.

  He grinned and quickly looked around to make sure no one was watching him, which was kind of silly considering it was already after hours and no one else was there but Sonny, who was in his office. There was no reply right away and he wondered if maybe he didn’t have this sexting thing down as well as he thought he did. When his phone dinged again he was relieved.

  B: I’m still in my meeting and now all I can think about is you covered in pizza sauce!

  E: I’m game if you are.

  B: I am so game, see you tonight.

  E: ok, love you

  B: luv u 2

  Andrew smiled and slipped his phone back in his pocket. He generally didn’t like to stay late but he had wanted to finish the Focus that he had been working on. The shop was quiet, just the way he liked it. Although he had made friends with several of the other mechanics, it wasn’t the same as what he had with Jayden. Madison had told him he needed to try and had encouraged him to go out with them but he never did. Once he finished replacing the starter, he figured he would wash up and head back to the house. He pushed the door open, a smile on his face as he imagined what tonight would bring as Madison seemed to be feeling a little feisty; something that always proved to be hot.

  “Oh, shit,” Andrew groaned and backed up against the wall.

  Leroy was sitting on the toilet with his head back, his arm was tied up and there was a needle on the ground with an old spoon and a lighter lying beside it. Andrew’s heart raced and his throat was suddenly as dry as the desert as he involuntarily licked his lips. His hand grasped his arm tightly as he started running it nervously up and down the tracks there. Leroy lifted his head slightly, his eyes were glassy and unfocused and he wore a lazy smile on his face.

  “You want some, Andrew?” he asked, closing his eyes again. “I’ll hook you up, man. Just don’t say anything to Sonny.”

  Andrew hit the back of his head against the wall, wanting to move but afraid that he might actually move towards versus away from the heroin that was calling him, whispering to him, one hit, baby, just one. Andrew squeezed his eyes shut and brought his fists to his temples and pushed, hoping to quiet the voice in his head that was reawakened being in the presence of its salvation.

  “It’s good shit, Andrew. I can tell you want some,” he heard Leroy say slowly.

  Andrew shook his head and pounded the wall beside him until the pain brought him out of his frozen state and he could free himself from the confines of the hell he knew would ensue if he stayed any longer. He swallowed thickly and found the will to step away from the wall and slink out of the bathroom. His eyes stung with unshed tears as he forced his body to go in the opposite direction of what it wanted. He grabbed his keys out of his pocket and jumped on his Harley, pulling away from the shop recklessly and hearing a car screech behind him. Andrew couldn’t remember the drive to the apartment or even entering the door. He was pacing frantically throughout the living room. Finally, he pulled out his phone to call Aaron but got his voice mail. He knew that he couldn’t call Madison because she was in her meeting. He started dialing again.

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” Jayden said, excited to hear from his friend.

  Andrew couldn’t say anything. He closed his eyes tightly, just hearing Jayden’s voice made his heart hurt. Andrew hated that he now knew what it felt like to have friends, to have someone that really got you and wanted what was best for you, because now he could feel the pain of its loss. When he was on the streets, and even in prison, he looked out for only himself and managed, but now he felt like a mess, like he could easily be weeping in the middle of the living room. WEAK! He heard his father’s voice echo in his head and closed his eyes even tighter, trying to stop the tears that wanted to come.

  “Andrew, what’s going on?” Jayden asked, starting to panic.

  “Madison is still working, so I stayed late...” Andrew paused not saying anything for a long time.

  “What happened?” Jayden asked, clearly worried.

  “I walked in on my co-worker doing smack. He offered me some.”

  “Oh God! Andrew, are you alright?”

  Now Andrew really wanted to cry. His friend was worried about him, he had half expected that Jayden’s first response would be, did you use? But no, that wasn’t Jayden. Jayden thought the best of him; he never assumed Andrew would falter.

  “I left. I didn’t use,” Andrew said, swallowing hard.

  “I know you didn’t, Andrew. When is Madison getting home?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Both men were quiet for a bit, both contemplating.

  “Without the risk of sounding like a chick, I wish you were here. We could go riding or something. I really miss you,” Andrew said, running his hand through his hair.

  Jayden smiled. “I miss you too, man.”

  Andrew heard a click and glanced at his phone seeing that it was Aaron. Andrew knew that he needed to talk to him. Aaron would know what he needed to do.

  “Hey, can I call you back? Aaron’s trying to call me.”

  “Yeah, sure, call me back though,” Jayden said before hanging up

  Andrew breathed in deeply before clicking over to Aaron. He started pacing again, slightly concerned with how Aaron might respond. He worried that he might be angry at him or, worse, disappointed that he had even considered using. Andrew could handle anger but he wasn’t sure he could handle it if he disappointed him. His heart ached as he heard Aaron’s caring and calm voice on the other end.

  “I saw that I missed your call.”

  “I, umm, I walked in on someone using. It scared me,” Andrew said low.

  “Where are you, son?” Aaron asked lovingly.

  “The apartment,” Andrew replied, unable to stop the tears coming down his cheek.

  “Are you sitting down?”

  “No, I’m walking. Why?”

  “Sit down, Andrew. It will help settle your mind.”

  Andrew shrugged and sat down in his chair. His head immediately went between his legs. The weight of what he had witnessed making it difficult to breathe. He could feel the tears falling and didn’t have the will to stop them. Flashes of the life he had before he went to prison ran through his mind like a sad and desperate movie. Aaron listened to Andrew’s raspy breaths and when he heard him inhale deeply several times he began speaki
ng again.

  “Andrew, tell me everything that happened,” Aaron said calmly.

  Andrew closed his eyes and blew out another loud breath as he relayed every detail of what occurred and then answered questions that Aaron had. Aaron kept his voice gentle and caring. He held no judgment. His voice encouraged Andrew to reveal every thought and, in turn, feeling about what had just transpired at the shop, including his struggle to leave the bathroom. When Andrew finished, he leaned his head against the back of the chair.

  “Andrew, I am incredibly proud of you,” Aaron said.

  Andrew could picture him perfectly and couldn’t respond. He had always wanted to hear that from his father but never received it. His father’s love had always been conditional while Aaron’s was pure, as a father’s should be. Aaron didn’t care that for a moment in that bathroom Andrew wanted to tie his arm up and feel the slow and steady ecstasy of the heroin invading his system. He was only proud of the fact that Andrew had abstained, that he had called him instead of using.

  “Will you do me a favor, Andrew?” Aaron asked softly.

  “Anything,” Andrew quickly replied.

  “Will you look into some NA meetings out there?”

  Andrew hesitated but then sighed. “Yeah, I will. Can you stay on the phone with me for a little longer?” Andrew asked quietly, not wanting to be alone with his thoughts.

  “For as long as you need me,” Aaron answered lovingly.

  That statement alone did it for Andrew as he felt tears coming out of his eyes again. Aaron began talking about random things happening around town. His classes and some of the crazy students he had and, of course, Olivia. It was hard for Andrew to hear about his aunt because he missed her kindness. He missed them both. He loved being with Madison but everything else felt so detached. Thirty minutes later, Andrew heard the key in the door.

  “Madison’s here now.”

  “Alright, Andrew, is it okay if I call you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, will you tell my auntie that I’m ok? I know she worries about me.”

  “I will,” Aaron said before hanging up.

  Madison was excited to be home. After Andrew’s text earlier she was antsy to get him all to herself. That and the fact that neither had to be up early. While most people looked forward to Friday’s so they could go out partying, Madison looked forward to it because it meant sleeping in and morning sex that led to afternoon sex that led to evening sex. Saturday’s she and Andrew rarely left the bedroom. As she stepped through the door, she thought it odd that she didn’t smell pizza, she was really hoping it would be here already.

  “Hey, babe, where’s the pie?” Madison asked, kicking off her heels and hanging up her jacket.

  Andrew didn’t reply, and when she came in she saw him sitting in his chair, his head turned to the window, gazing into the night. He looked distressed, and as she approached him she could see that his face was flushed and his eyes were red. She pulled her skirt up slightly so that she could kneel next to the chair.

  “Andrew, baby, what’s wrong?”

  He turned to her and the heartbreak was evident as he pulled her up onto his lap. Madison rested her head against his chest and could hear the rapid beat of his heart. His hand was entwined in her hair and his face was nuzzled against the top of her head, breathing her in, needing her to make things feel normal again.

  “I love you, baby,” Madison said sweetly as she snuggled up to him.

  He breathed in deeply and held her even closer. Madison wasn’t sure what had transpired in the short amount of time from the sexting to now, but it had upset him greatly. She knew he would tell her when he was ready and she wouldn’t push it. She could tell that what he really needed at the moment was to hold her, and if that’s what he needed, then that’s what she would give him without question.

  9 Thanksgiving

  NOVEMBER

  Madison finished basting the turkey yet again and pushed it back into the oven. She glanced at the clock knowing her mother would be arriving within the next thirty minutes. This would be only the second time her mother would be interacting with Andrew since their dreadful first meeting just four days after Madison had returned from California. Madison had spoken to her mother a few times since then, but, as usual, things were strained between the two of them. So, when her mother called asking to spend Thanksgiving with her and Andrew, Madison was naturally surprised. Her mother had assured Madison that she would behave and that she only wanted to get to know Andrew better. Initially, Jacqueline had wanted them to come to her house but Madison refused, figuring Andrew would feel much more comfortable, considering the circumstances, at their own apartment. Reluctantly, her mother had agreed. Unfortunately, Andrew had been antsy and nervous all morning, so much so that he didn’t even want to have sex, which was something that never happened.

  “Andrew, calm down,” Madison said distractedly as she continued stuffing the turkey.

  When he didn’t answer her, she glanced at him and saw him looking out the window, scratching at his arm. She watched his face twist in concern. Ever since seeing Leroy, he had struggled with memories of his previous life. There had been times he woke up in a cold sweat, gripping his arm so tight that Madison was actually afraid he might hurt himself. She had encouraged him to do as Aaron had suggested and find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting that he could attend. He hesitated but after a week of nightmares and cold sweats he had done it. For the past week, Andrew had been attending meetings each night after work, but to Madison he seemed to be lurking, which she surmised was better than nothing at all. She had hoped he would be looking to find a sponsor by now. Although, in a way, Aaron had sort of become that for him as they talked nightly. She just wished she knew how to help him as everything seemed to frustrate him as of late. Luckily though, earlier this week Leroy had been fired, which had helped Andrew tremendously as Leroy always seemed to be watching him, a constant temptation.

  “Andrew?” Madison called to him, washing her hands and then striding to his side. She rested her hand on his lower back but he was unresponsive to her touch. “You are so nervous and upset, maybe you should hit a meeting or something, it might help you relax.”

  She saw him frown and without a word he pushed past her, grabbing his jacket and slamming the door on the way out. Madison closed her eyes as tears began to form.

  Madison’s timer went off, pulling her out of her memory and telling her that it was time to start boiling the potatoes. She glanced at the clock again. He had been gone for over three hours. She worriedly started the water and precisely quartered the red potatoes in the sink. Once they were in the water, she grabbed the hard-boiled eggs from the refrigerator, operating on autopilot she started peeling the shells off the eggs. She heard a knock on the door and looked towards it. Madison didn’t move for a moment but then took a deep breath and wiped her hands on her apron. She hesitantly opened the door to find her mother standing in the doorway holding her pecan pie in one hand, a holiday specialty, and a bottle of wine in the other. Her mother greeted her with a welcoming smile and Madison couldn’t help but feel slightly optimistic about the possibility of her mom and Andrew getting along.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Mom,” Madison said, kissing her on the cheek and taking the pie out of her hand.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart,” Jacqueline responded, stepping inside. “What can I help with?” she asked as she set the wine on the counter.

  “I was starting the deviled eggs.”

  Her mom nodded and immediately gathered the eggs, and then she went to the refrigerator to get the mayonnaise, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Madison smiled as she started getting the candied yams together. It had been a long time since she and her mother had worked alongside each other in the kitchen and it felt surprisingly carefree. They chatted about nothing in particular until Jacqueline noticed that there was someone noticeably missing.

  “Where’s Andrew?” she asked calmly, remembering the promise she made to herself to try an
d reserve judgment.

  “He’s at a meeting,” Madison said casually as she continued to prepare her yams.

  “It’s Thanksgiving, what kind of meeting could he be attending on a holiday?” Jacqueline laughed and then sobered quickly as she saw her daughter sigh. “Madison, what kind of meeting is he at?”

  “An NA meeting,” Madison whispered.

  Jacqueline stared at her in disbelief. Jacqueline took several deep breaths trying to calm the rage that was building inside of her before she walked around the counter to her daughter. She brought her hand to Madison’s face, gripping her cheeks and turning her so that she was looking at her. Her daughter’s eyes were red and glassy; she had been crying.

  “Is he using?” Jacqueline asked forcefully.

  “NO! He’s just...” Madison tried to turn away from her mother’s icy glare but Jacqueline gripped her cheeks firmly so she couldn’t move. “He’s been clean for over eight years and he saw someone using and it made him think about it. He’s going to NA as a precaution, that’s all,” Madison practically yelled as she stepped back from her mother. “He’s not using,” Madison said indignantly.

  “He will,” Jacqueline coolly replied as she went back to making the deviled eggs. “You think they won’t but they always do.”

  “You’re wrong, Mom,” Madison said finishing up the yams. “He loves me. He wouldn’t do that to us. He knows what it was like for me when dad died.”

  Jacqueline paused, her breath caught in her throat. “He knows about your father?”

  “Yes, I told him,” Madison glanced at her and could see that her mom had a pained expression on her face.

  “Well, that surprises me,” Jacqueline said, swallowing hard as she wrapped the eggs with cellophane and placed them in the refrigerator.

  As Madison started to say something, she heard the key in the door and turned quickly, her heart beating rapidly. Andrew hesitantly walked inside and gave her a small apologetic smile as he approached. He kissed her softly on the forehead and muttered, 'I'm sorry', causing Madison to gasp and cry simultaneously. She didn’t realize until that moment the magnitude of her fear for him. She knew in her heart he wouldn’t use, but without him talking to her she worried about all sorts of other possibilities, like fighting or him just leaving for good.