AllFreeNovel
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I’m sure a part of her will always be broken by what happened, but Graysen has been reminding her she’s still worthy, and that everyone makes mistakes, some bigger than others. I truly think she saved Melinda’s life.
How many others has she saved? How many marriages have been brought back from the brink by Graysen’s intervention in one partner’s addiction? How many children have gotten a parent back?
She gets here early every morning and stays until at least seven every night. Graysen spends her days delving into the darkest, dirtiest corners of people’s lives in hopes of saving them from addiction.
I’m an alcoholic. I never could’ve said that before her. It felt weak, like a contrived excuse for not showing up to life every day. But now I know it’s just part of who I am, just like I’m naturally athletic and I tend to procrastinate.
I’ll have to say those words to myself every day for the rest of my life, to remind myself why I can’t simply have a beer with some teammates. I can’t drink in moderation. Before, I convinced myself it was because I didn’t want to drink in moderation, but now I’m sore self-aware.
“Two more weeks, man,” Joe says. “You think you’re ready for the real world again?”
His question reminds me that staying sober will be harder when I have a choice about whether or not to drink. I’ll be living in Chicago and continuing physical therapy, but the temptations of booze and partying will still be there.
“I hope so,” I tell Joe. “What about you?”
“I’m ready. I’ve got four great reasons to stick with it this time. My wife and kids are my whole world, and they believe in me. That’s all I need.”
I level a serious look at him. “I’ll be living close by, man. You even think about relapsing and I’ll be on your doorstep kicking your ass.”
Joe’s brows draw together in surprise. “You’d do that?”
“Hell yeah. What, you think I’m gonna ask you to party with me or something? I’m planning to stay sober, too.”
“No, I just…didn’t think you’d want to keep in touch or anything after this. You know, you’re like…famous and all.”
“Man, fuck that.” I give him a serious look. “You’re my friend.”
“I am?”
“Yeah.”
He grins. “You’re my friend, too. I’ve lost contact with a lot of my old friends between having kids and taking up drinking as a part-time job.”
“You’re a new man now,” I remind him. “Getting a fresh start.”
“I’m sticking with it this time. For my family and also because I never want to go through detox again.”
“Pretty bad?”
He shudders. “I seriously thought I was gonna die, dude.”
Graysen is walking toward the dining room entrance, a tray of food in her hands. She looks over at us and I wave. She hesitates just a second before approaching us.
“Hey, Doc,” Joe says. “How’s it going?”
“Well, it’s pizza night, so…I can’t complain.” Her smile is nervous.
“Want to sit?” I ask her, sliding over a few inches and patting the bench I’m sitting on.
“Oh, no…I’m going back to my office to finish up some paperwork.” She smiles again and waves. “See you tomorrow, guys. Have a good evening.”
When she’s out of earshot, Joe says, “I think she might kinda like you, too.”
I wave off his suggestion. “Nah, I’m not her type.”
“Man, you’re every woman’s type. Attractive, successful and not an asshole.”
“You hitting on me right now, Joe?” I cock a brow at him.
“You only wish.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m serious, Dr. Wells was kinda blushing when she came over here.”
“Maybe it was because of you.”
He scoffs. “I’m a married guy with a beer belly and a receding hairline. It’s definitely you she’s into, bro.”
“She probably dates doctors and lawyers and shit.”
“Yeah, whatever. You’re a pro athlete. You make more than all of them. Plus, you know…you’ve got abs.”
I laugh. “They’re hanging by a thread these days. I’ll have to cut back on the powdered sugar doughnuts when we get out of here.”
Joe says something, but I miss it because I’m too busy watching Graysen as she disappears from sight.
Damn. I’ve really got a thing for that nice, round ass. And her smile.
I’ve got two weeks to convince her to give me a chance. And not in nine months to a year. I can’t wait that long, and I can’t risk some other guy snatching her up in the meantime.
Graysen tells us all to envision what we want for ourselves after rehab. And the only things I ever envision are returning to hockey and her.15GraysenWell, I’m fucked.
Alexei just showed up for our one-on-one session fresh out of the shower in shorts and an Austin Comets T-shirt, his brown hair wet and curling at the ends. He smells like soap and looks like a photo from a sexy men calendar.
“Hey, sorry,” he says as he sits down. “I had to double up my workout today because tomorrow morning I have that information session on AA groups.”
