Steadfast (True North, #2)

by Sarina Bowen

“Do you know the rate of relapse among opiate addicts?” I shook my head, because I was suddenly too upset to speak. How dare he imply that Jude would start using again? None of this was any of Denny’s business. And not only was it rude to Jude, it also implied that I was an idiot. I knew Jude’s road was a tough one. But when a man was working so hard to stay clean, it seemed impossibly cruel to say out loud that he wouldn’t make it. “Over fifty percent,” he said. Stepping backward, I yanked my gloves out of my pockets. “If I ever have a problem with addiction, remind me not to come to you for encouragement.” Denny’s mouth fell open, and he wore the startled expression of someone who had just been slapped. “Goodnight,” I said through clenched teeth. Then I turned and ran out of there. My shoes clicked on the tiles as I pushed the church’s pretty wooden door open. Moving quickly, I headed down the sidewalk toward Jude’s street. The cold air on my face was a relief, and it helped to cool my anger. I knew Denny was a good guy usually. And he had always been a loyal friend. And he’s jealous, my conscience put in. But the real reason that I would be able to put this awful moment aside was that Denny didn’t know Jude. He’d never seen the way that Jude took care of me. He’d calmed me down a million times when I was stressed out over school or mad at my father for belittling me. Jude had shored me up in so many ways. The least I could do was show a little faith. And what’s more, he...