Pushing Reset Read Online Free PDF Page A

sneaking off and getting high during the day and bingeing on drugs all night?
    Jude gasped as he rushed across the room and pulled his door open. He tried to tamp down the surge of anxiety that attacked him as he strode down the hall. Aside from using poppers a few times and a little pot now and then, Jude didn’t have a lot of experience with drugs. He decided it was safe to assume that Brandon wasn’t using poppers as he jogged down the stairs. And he was sure Brandon would look more rested if he was smoking pot. Jude’s panic spiked as he swung into the office and Brandon’s eyes flared and he jumped to his feet as Jude rushed at him.
    “Are you on drugs?” Jude asked loudly as he grabbed Brandon’s arm. He held on tight as Brandon tugged and frowned as he stared at the inside of Brandon’s elbow. Do you even know what tracks look like? Jude wondered as he turned Brandon’s arm, trying to get more light on it.
    “What are you doing?” Brandon’s voice was strained as he tried to pull away. Jude released his arm and grabbed Brandon’s face.
    “I think you might be using drugs,” Jude announced as his thumbs pulled on Brandon’s lower eyelids. Is it normal for this to be so pink? I don’t even know what normal eyes look like. These just look really irritated and dry. Jude’s lips pulled tight as he tried to remember what the insides of his eyelids looked like. Brandon swatted his hands away and pulled his head back.
    “And you think I’m keeping them under my eyeballs?” He grumbled as Jude leaned forward and sniffed. “Get the fuck off of me,” Brandon ordered as he stepped around his chair and backed away. “I’m not using drugs,” he declared angrily and Jude’s eyes narrowed as he studied Brandon.
    “You’d say that if you were,” he argued and Brandon raised a brow.
    “Are you on drugs?” He asked and Jude snorted.
    “Don’t turn this around on me,” he warned as he advanced. “It would explain everything,” Jude insisted and Brandon held his arms out, holding Jude off.
    “Stop!” He looked terrified as his back hit the bookshelf and Jude gave him an expectant look as he took another step. Brandon cleared his throat and tugged at his collar. “I swear, I’m not on drugs. You know me, I can’t even take Sudafed without freaking out.” His eyes were pleading and Jude’s lips pursed as he considered.
    “That’s true…” He scratched his jaw as he considered. “But you’ve been acting really odd lately,” Jude said and Brandon scowled.
    “Can’t I just be in a bad mood now and then without you attacking me and accusing me of using drugs?” Brandon asked and Jude raised his hand and pointed at Brandon.
    “I know when you’re just in a bad mood and this is different. Something’s wrong and for some reason, you refuse to talk to me about it,” he said and Brandon shrugged.
    “Or, maybe you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe I’m just not in the mood to talk,” Brandon said defensively and Jude squeezed his temples and sighed.
    “Whatever it is, Brandon, we can deal with it. If it’s drugs or maybe you need to see a therapist because you’re depressed, I won’t judge you and I’m here,” Jude promised and Brandon groaned as he threw his hands up.
    “I’m not using drugs and I swear I’m not depressed,” Brandon insisted and his face became taut. “After years of begging Emma to get help and seeing what can happen if you don’t, that’s the last thing you have to worry about, Jude.” He leaned back against the shelves and Jude nodded as he stepped closer.
    “I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to feel like you’re alone and you’ve had me worried lately,” Jude said as he reached for Brandon to give him a hug. Brandon pressed himself against the shelves and shook his head frantically.
    “No!” It was shrill and he was petrified. Jude’s head pulled back in confusion and Brandon waved him off. “You’re half naked and sweaty,” he