bookpower Chapter 350 Unanswered Calls
Chapter 350 Unanswered Calls
They had talked for what felt like hours, the easy rhythm of catching up tinged with heavier undertones as Joey began to open up more.
Damon listened closely, his expression shifting between concern and quiet understanding.
As Joey stopped talking, Damon sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Man, I didn't know it was like that. What about your brother? You've talked to him about any of this?"
Joey leaned back in his seat, his posture deflated. "I don't know."
Damon frowned and furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, you don't know?"
Joey exhaled sharply, frustration creeping into his voice. "What I mean is, I've called. He hasn't answered. Not once. We were supposed to meet a while back, but it's like he just... disappeared. I don't know, man. I don't know what's going on with him."
Damon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You're saying you've got no clue where he is?"
Joey shook his head. "None. And the thing is, he was supposed to be here for me, you know? Like, when I found out about the baby, he said he'd help. Said he'd come to Santa Monica and we'd figure it out together. But now... nothing."
Joey's voice was heavy, and Damon could see how much it was eating at him.
"That's not like him, right?" Damon pressed gently. "To just ghost you like that?"
"No," Joey said firmly.
Damon leaned back, his hands raised slightly in a calming gesture. "You said Ashley's parents cut her off?"
Joey nodded, his face tight with frustration. "Yeah. I don't know all the details, but they did. It's not like I planned on relying on them forever or anything. I just wanted to finish this year, get my degree, and find a job. Then we'd take care of ourselves, you know? I mean, it's not like I can let Ashley go work while she's pregnant. I was thinking about dropping out, you know–"
"Woah, drop out? Chill, man," Damon interrupted, his tone firm but calm.
Joey's frustration reached a peak, and his voice rose. "What do you want me to do then, huh?" He leaned forward and clenched his hands. His feelings came out in a raw burst.
"I'm not a fighter like you, Damon! I can't just go and do that to earn money! I don't have any fucking notable skills besides what I've been studying for the past couple of years! And most part-time jobs? They don't pay enough to keep us afloat!"
As they left the fast food place together, Damon laughed. It seemed like the stress from earlier had gone away a little.
As they approached the sleek black Audi, Joey whistled in appreciation. "Man, you really leveled up. This is nice."
Damon smirked, unlocking the car with a press of the button. "Yeah, it's alright," he said, feigning modesty as they got in.
Damon's mind wandered as he drove.
It was nice to have friends like Joey, who laughed and smiled even though they were going through a lot.
But seeing how hard things were for Joey had stirred something in him.
He wanted to help. really help.
But just handing Joey money didn't feel right.
Damon respected him too much to offer something that might seem like a handout.
Joey had his pride, and Damon didn't want to step on that.
Still, he couldn't do nothing and watch his friend struggle while he had millions of dollars sitting in his account getting no use.
He was going to do it.
Not just with money, but also with tangible support that would make a difference.
Joey didn't know it yet, but Damon had already decided.
He wasn't going to let his friends face this kind of burden alone.
Whatever it took, he'd make sure Joey and Ashley got through this.