“Like I said, she’s hot.” He shrugs. “And she gets me.”
“Shit.” Dad laughs. “Then we better get her a Nobel Peace Prize for figuring you out.”
Leo balls up his napkin and tosses it at Dad. “You guys understand me too. You just don’t want to admit it, because then that means you could end up like me.”
Dad and I fall silent. He’s right. I don’t blame Leo for turning to drugs. I’d love to escape reality every once in a while. But I don’t have the luxury of forgetting all my problems. I’m the one who has to hold everything together. I’m the one who has to keep Dad going. Which is why I can’t let myself believe Leo will stay clean, because if he lets me down again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to take it.
Sometimes, it feels like one more heartbreak will ruin me for good.
5
Phoenix
Daily Affirmation: “I am open to receiving new changes, new lessons, and new adventures.”
“Well, look who it is.”
I wrap my arms around Drew’s shoulders. “Surprise.”
“I thought they were fucking with me when they said I had a visitor.” He pulls back and eases himself into the chair across from me. “What are you doing here?”
“I have therapy today, so I came a bit earlier to see you.” I glance at the reddish-purple marks around his wrists. “You okay?”
He shrugs. “Had a rough night.”
A rough night in a place like Clearview means more than the usualI couldn’t sleep. “What happened?”
“Trish was annoying me. You know how she always tries to get on my nerves to set me off.”
I frown. “How long did they restrain you for?”
“I don’t know.” He chuckles. “I punched Billy in the face though. Got him good.”
“Poor Billy. He’s always getting beat up.”
“The man needs a raise putting up with me, that’s for sure.” He pulls his knees up to his chest. “So, how’s the renovation going?”
“Good. It’s keeping me busy.”
“I can’t wait to see the place when I get out of here.”
“June tenth. Only a few more months.”
“Just in time for summer.” His green eyes widen. “Let’s throw a Fourth of July party!”
“And who are we inviting to this party? We’re the only friends we have.”
“You’ll make friends for the both of us.”
I laugh and shake my head. “We’ll talk about it when the time comes.”
“Fine.” His expression changes, and he rubs his wrists. “Thanks for coming to visit me, Nix. Seriously. It means a lot to me that you’re still keeping in touch.”
I reach across the table and squeeze his shoulder. “I told you I wasn’t going to forget about you once I left.”
Dr. Erica waltzes into the room and smiles. “Phoenix, it’s so good to see you.”
“It’s nice to be back. Sounds weird, but I miss this place.”