Just One Spark (The Kingston Family 4)

Dash shuddered at the reminder of his friend, face white, lying on the floor, foam dripping from his mouth, and Dash, alone because Jagger hadn’t been able to come over, frozen in fright.

Cassidy edged closer on her knees, wrapping her arms around him tight.

Shit, he hadn’t expected that. He was only holding it together because she’d been across from him, at a distance. But enveloped in her warmth, he let go and began to shake as the memory of his friend dying slammed into him.

He forced himself to go on. “I dialed 911 and did everything they told me to while I waited for them to show up. They tried Narcan and rushed him to the ER.” His voice caught in his throat. “I barely remember calling home. Mom answered but my father showed up instead.”

Cassidy stiffened but she never released her hold, as if she knew she was all that was keeping him upright. “What happened?”

“Turns out the coke was laced with fentanyl, something we found out later. My father … at the time I thought, man, he stepped up, but as I got older…”

She slowly released her hold and grasped his hand instead. “Go back and explain, okay?”

He nodded. “My father took me home. I guess the cops went to the hospital, and by then Billy’s parents were there. He was gone.” Dash’s eyes burned like hell. “They didn’t know we were together for sure, but it wasn’t hard to figure out. Billy and I were always hanging out. The cops came by my house to talk. My father told them I was sleeping and he’d bring me to the station tomorrow.”

“With a lawyer,” she murmured.

Smart girl. “I didn’t know it until later, but my father went to talk to the Coopers. He knew that Billy was the only person who knew I bought the coke and Billy was gone. So Dad told his parents that Billy purchased the drugs.” Something else Dash had to live with. “And when Dad came home, before I gave my statement, he instructed me to tell the exact same story.”

“So the police wouldn’t hold you responsible in any way.”

Dash nodded and clenched his jaw so hard he was surprised he didn’t crack a tooth. “This way he protected the family name.”

“And you,” she reminded him.

“Maybe that was his reasoning, maybe not.” But Dash had always had his doubts about his father’s motives and what was important to him. “He gave Billy’s parents money in exchange for them promising they’d never give an interview or discuss me in any way. They agreed. In writing.”

Cassidy’s eyes were open wide and he couldn’t blame her. He was still horrified by the fact that his father had buried Dash’s massive error in judgment with cold hard cash.

“I wonder if Heather knows about the money or the agreement,” Cassidy murmured.

He shrugged. “Either way, my father’s dead and I’m sure as hell not going to force her into silence. But she is a nurse at the rehab. Somehow she paid for her schooling.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Billy died, my father covered up my role in it, and I went on to become a world famous rock star. How is that fair?”

She scrambled to her knees, facing him. “Listen to me. Kids make mistakes and that’s what you were. Not an adult, but a child … still learning. It’s not your fault that Billy died. It’s whoever tampered with the drugs. You can’t blame yourself.”

“But I can blame my father.”

“For what? Protecting his son?” she asked.

“Protecting himself and the family name. I was a secondary thought.” And he’d always resented his father for that.

Cassidy placed her hands on his shoulders. “Maybe, maybe not. But his actions allowed you to live your life. And in doing so, you didn’t forget your friend. You fund rehab centers, you do meet and greets to help addicts gain strength and not feel so alone. You give back.”

Listening to her defend him felt good. “You sound like my mother,” he said.

Cassidy treated him to a warm smile. “Well, she’s a wise lady.”

He believed the words more coming from Cassidy than he had from his own mother, yet he couldn’t help but ask, “Even with how your parents died? You don’t think I share the blame for Billy’s death?”

She met his gaze, her expression honest. “No, I don’t. You didn’t force him to do anything. And if you’ve been torturing yourself with this for years, you need to stop.”

He ran a hand over his hair. “Mom calls what my father did my second chance.”

Cassidy nodded in agreement. “And it’s one you’ve used to do good. I’m sure it’s what Billy would have wanted.”

“Tell that to Heather,” he muttered.

Cassidy shook her head. “I’m telling it to you because it’s true and you need to believe it.