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No one, that’s who.
Sure, she could attend the support group, make friends with people in a similar situation. There were counselors she could talk to and charities she could get some help from. But ultimately, nobody was going to hand her a check and send her on her way to the hospital.
I hit the bag harder.One. Two. One. Two.This was the kind of shit parents were supposed to handle. Not grandkids. But my mom had up and quit a long time ago. I’d always thought that she had abandoned me, but I realized now, she’d abandoned Grams too.
Grams had raised me, despite me being a constant reminder of the daughter she’d lost. Despite losing a part of herself the day Mom walked out.
Fuck.
I fell against the bag, my chest heaving as I fought to catch my breath. Blood whooshed in my ears, adrenaline coursing through my bloodstream. But it wasn’t enough.
It was never enough.
That’s why I didn’t get in the ring like Nix did when he needed to burn off steam. Because part of me feared I would never stop. That it wouldneverbe enough.
Grabbing my towel, I wiped my face and the back of my neck and headed over to the bench where I’d dumped my stuff. Bryson spotted me, and came over, handing me a bottle of water.
“That was some workout,” he said. “What’s eating at you, kid?”
“Just got some shit going on.” I unwrapped my hands, clenching a fist and relishing in the sting of tender skin tightening over bruised bone.
“You need to talk, I’m here.” He folded his arms over his chest.
I wasn’t close to Bryson like Nix was. He was a dangerous man. And he never gave up his time or resources without wanting something in return. A trap I’d managed to avoid so far.
But I was desperate.
“Actually, you might be able to help me.”
“I’m listening.” His brow cocked.
“Can we… uh”—I glanced around the gym—“go somewhere private?”
“Sure, kid. Follow me.” He turned and stalked toward the door leading to his private office.
It was a bad idea.
The worst.
But if anyone could help me, it was Bryson Shaw.
And I was all out of other options.
Celeste
I’m not going,”Max said, earning him a huff of disapproval from Mom.
“For once in your life, you will do as you’re told, Maximilian.”
“Why? So we can pretend we’re the perfect happy family in front of all your stuck up friends? I’m good thanks, Mom.”
“Michael, will you please say something?” Mom pinned Dad with a hard look.
It had been like this since I’d finally dragged myself downstairs. Mom wanted us all to go to Mrs. Sinclair’s for afternoon tea. She’d invited us to celebrate Mom’s new position on the board.
It sounded like the worst kind of hell, but she was digging in her heels.
“Your mom is right, Max. It wouldn’t hurt you to come this once. The center is important to your mother. We should support that. It’s only for a couple of hours, then you and Celeste can escape.”
