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I heard the door open, and I barely held back a scream.
“Don’t, Tate. I don’t want to hear it. I’ll drink as much as I fucking want. I’m awake, I’m talking, so you can see I’m fine. All right? I don’t have a problem. It’s under control.”
“Bullshit,” he snapped. “Are you going to get in your car in the near future?”
“What?” I whirled and stared at him. “Where did that come from?”
“Answer the goddamn question. Do you still drive?”
“Of course, I drive! I live in California. How the fuck am I going to get around? And what does that have to do with anything?”
“You won’t stop drinking, and that’s your choice. But one of these days you’re going to leave the house, right? And because your brain will be so fucked up from downing alcohol day and night, you’re gonna think you’re fine and you’ll get in your car and then guess what Ree? Are you freaking kidding me? You’re going to become just like that asshole who took your mom’s life!”
Tate likening me to the monster who killed my mother hit me like a punch to the solar plexus.
“No! You take that back! I am nothing like that piece of shit!”
My chest locked up so tight, I couldn’t breathe.
I was not that person.
Tate shook his head and stalked up to me. “If you keep going like this, you’ll turn into him. Is that what you want? Do you really want to do that to your father and sister? Your niece and nephews? I know how much you love your family, Ree, so I’m going to give you back some of your own advice. Please, please listen to me.”
“I just… I can’t deal with it. I can’t do anything. All I feel is pain,” I choked on another sob.
“I know. It’s not fair that she was taken like that. But you can’t drink or snort your pain away, Ree. Trust me, I’ve been there, I’ve tried. It only makes things worse. Don’t repeat my mistakes.”
I let his words sink in as Tate headed for the door. “I’m calling your sister and telling her what’s going on. I think she should fly out here to help you.”
“No!” I walked towards him and grabbed his arm. “No. Please. I won’t do that to her. I… I’ll go to the doctor. I’ll go. But on one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You come with me.”
CHAPTER 15
TATE
A MONTH LATER
I’d been true to my word and went with Reed to his doctor.
For the first time in my life, I was thinking about someone other than myself.
And it felt damn good.
I hadn’t been able to save my mom when I was young, but maybe fate was giving me another chance to do right by Reed.
Reed’s grief over the loss of his mom though, even three months in, was fresh, and he was still struggling.
His doctor monitored his detox off the alcohol and suggested an anti-depressant medication, which Reed agreed to. And therapy.
He was having a hard time staying asleep at night and consequently, he struggled to get out of bed in the morning. But at least he wasn’t isolating anymore. He talked regularly to his family back in New York and to Henn and Charlene, as well as his therapist and a sober living specialist.
And of course, yours truly.
Because he couldn’t avoid me.
