“Maybe I can,” I said, thinking out loud.
“Of course, you can!” Holly laughed, punching me on the arm.
“You don’t know what you’re capable of! How will you know if you don’t try!”
I had to smile. Nothing or no one could ever get her down, she wouldn’t allow it. I wanted to be more like her. That meant taking more risks, getting out of my comfort zone. That had been his department.
“I’ll be back every second weekend,” I said. “Promise not to rent my room out to anyone? I may be back before I know it.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it!” Holly said.
When I left our apartment, it was cold and dark outside. I felt goosebumps as I waited for my cab to take me out to Sam’s huge stone mansion outside of the city. But despite my terrible sense of trepidation, I put my things in the car and stared bravely ahead. I was not the same girl I had been five years ago. I had hit rock bottom and had gotten up again. That meant something. Back then, the thought of going to work for Sam would’ve been enough to send me straight to a tranquilizer bottle. Yet here I was, heading for his house.
I took a deep breath and called my mother. Tucker had been staying with them following his recent release from hospital. I told her I would be able to pay for the rehab center they had found, and I could hear the relief in her voice.
“Are you sure, sweetheart?”
Hearing the concern in her voice only strengthened my resolve.
This time round, I would be the one using Sam Marshall. I would use his money and help my brother. I would not allow him into my head.
Once had been enough.