Page 70 of Addiction

The second Asher enters Resilience, my stomach twists with nervous energy. I’ve not seen or heard from him in days. Our morning workout session—where we always end up together and go for breakfast at Pocahontas Pancakes—have stopped.

He’s not returning my messages, which I know have been read, and as time goes on, the void between us gets bigger.

He’s in dark track pants and a white T-shirt, his face troubled. He acknowledges Tia and Logan and for a brief moment, I see his eyes scan the rest of his surroundings, but we never make eye contact. He knows I’m here, and he knows I’m watching. Before I can do anything, he heads on up the stairs to his office and closes the door, shutting everything out.

Frustration from deep in my stomach works it’s way to the surface in response to his behavior, or perhaps in response to my own because I feel it’s me who has put us in this situation. If I hadn’t have pushed, if I hadn’t have let my guard down and got close, he wouldn’t have run out on me like a terrified child.

In that moment when he’d been close, I’d felt a protection I’ve never encountered before but it was gone faster than I’d been able to control.

“Dr. Wade!”

I smile at the excitable voice behind me and turn to see Jessica heading in through the entrance of the gym. Her parents transferred her P.T. sessions to the gym once they knew I was leaving the clinic. Today, she’s in princess dressing up clothes with a tiara on her head that sparkles.

Standing straight, I place one arm behind my back and bow.

“Your Highness. What a pleasure to have you here today. Was your journey enjoyable?”

“Mommy drove through a red light.”

“Jessica,” her mother scorns.

“What? It’s true.”

I can’t help the smirk. “Well, you’re here now. Would you like to see my treatment room?”

“Not until you show me around this place.”

“All right, as you wish, my lady.” Picking her up, I turn back to her mom. “If you don’t want the tour, there’s a coffee machine over in the lounge area.”

With Jessica’s mom opting for coffee, she waves us off and I start the process of working around the gym. “Okay, now this is the boxing area. Do you know what boxing is?"

"Yeah. Its where mean men hit each other and make each other bleed.”

I chuckle. “Well, they are not always mean. Some people just like to do it for fun and not draw blood.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

Honestly, this kid is adorable. “Some people like to box for exercise. You see that guy there who is all sweaty?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, he likes to punch the bag to make himself sweat. It means he’s working out to stay fit and healthy.”

“What are those things called that those ladies are running on?”

I turn to the treadmills, three of them occupied by the new members. “Those are call treadmills. You can either walk or run on them.”

“Will I have to go on them one day?”

“One day. Once you get more used to your prosthetics, we can go on them as part of your treatment.”

From nowhere, a strange yet comforting feeling cover, me and I know who is responsible for it. Looking up, I find Asher leaning over the railings watching the two of us walk around. Our eyes meet for the first time in days. His are clouded with a darkness I don’t like. I smile, hoping he will repay the gesture, but instead he straightens before turning away to head back to his office.

My stomach drops, and if it weren’t for the fact Jessica is in my arms, I would have run up there to call him out on his behavior—a behavior that has me both concerned and confused at the same time.

“Now, shall we head upstairs?”

“Yes!” She beams with excitement.