Page 59 of Addiction

“You’re a good friend to him, you know that?”

“I’m just being myself.” I smile.

“I know. But I’ve seen a change in him since the two of you have become closer. He’s not the same man that came out of jail.”

I look at her. “How do you mean?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, sitting down beside me. “When he came home, he was still very much on edge but all of that has gone now. I don’t know if it’s the gym or the fact he’s found a friendship with you or that he’s happier within himself, but he’s certainly changed. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Well, what can I say other than my charm always wins people around.” I smile, bumping my shoulder with hers.

“Sometimes I don’t even recognize him, and it takes me a second to realize that he’s not the brother I was used to seeing before Pop died. I never liked the brother I had back then. I guess it’s not until you step out of a situation that you realize just how much someone is struggling. I never saw that in Asher until it was too late.”

“That’s something that is out of our control. No matter if we see it or not it’s down to the person in question to realize their mistakes or their problems. It’s just fortunate for Asher that he has an amazing support network around him when it comes to his family. Especially you. Not many people would forgive him for what he did.”

“I’d wanted to hate him, and for a short time I did because of how selfish he was especially after everything that Mom and Pop had done for him. How he’d pushed Pop aside. I loathed being in the same room as him. But after the accident, even though I was the one in the hospital bed because of his actions, I knew I couldn’t lose him. I’d already lost Pop; I couldn’t lose him too. Once he swore to me that he’d change, I put everything I had into building back up the relationship that had tarnished between us. Now, I’m so thankful I did that. Not just for me but for him, too.”

If there was ever a reason why I love my friendship with Nora, this is it. Her heart and soul are pure. Underneath all Asher’s drunken bravado, he was nothing more than a wounded soldier who believed he had nothing left. Now, that man is nowhere to be found but out of everyone, the person who got him through it all was Nora.

He now cares. He now has a future.

But even with all the positivity he has in his life, he’s still an addict, and with that comes the worry of pressure because pressure can result in him heading down the wrong road again. And I’m unsure if Nora has thought of this.

“He’s a good man, Nora, with an amazing support network. We just have to make sure he still has those to guide him should times become tough.” I look at her, trying to let her know that despite the good place Asher is in now, it also has the potential to come crashing down when we least expect it.

“He promised me he would never touch alcohol again. And he hasn’t.”

“Which is great. But just keep in mind that addiction is an illness.”

“What are you saying, Wade?” she says defensively. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“No, no.” I turn my body to face her, taking her hand in mine. I don’t want to come across as though I’m being negative, but I don’t want her to have her head in the clouds either. “All I’m saying is, don’t be so hard on him should he relapse. I’m not suggesting for one minute he will. But always keep in the back of your mind that one day he could falter. Life is hard, Nora.”

“He won’t. I know he won’t. He promised me.”

I feel like I’ve hit a wall with this. As lovely as Nora is, she can be stubborn as hell at times.

“I’m just so thankful he’s back in our lives. And don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at him.” She wriggles her eyebrows which causes me to chuckle.

“If only he were gay.”

“If only. But I don’t think even you would be able to turn my brother.”

“I think you might be right.” I smile. If only she knew what I know.

“YES!” Asher’s powerful voice sounds out across the gym as he walks around the boxing ring with his arms in the air like a champion. Meanwhile, Mark stands with his hands on his hips and a look of annoyance on his face as Jackson and Grayson laugh. Asher has just won the battle like he said he would.

“No guessing who won that round.” I chuckle to Grayson as I approach. “I thought you said you could still throw a punch like you were twenty-one, Mark?”

“Fuck you, pretty boy. I’m just warming up.”

“Warming up?” Jackson adds. “After five rounds?”

“Isn’t it about time you went back to Cali?” Mark says sarcastically as he pulls the Velcro off the glove with his teeth. I duck under the ropes of the boxing ring and head over to Asher, helping him out of his gloves.

“You look like you need a lie-down, Twilight,” Asher teases. Coming up close, Mark pushes at Asher’s chest.

“One day, Nelson. One. Day.”