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“Antonella. It’s been a while.”
She sneers. “Don’t tell me my little sister took you back.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Like hell it isn’t.” She tries to walk around me, but I block her path.
“Get out of my way.” She speaks through clenched teeth.
“No.”
“I need to speak with Alana.”
I give my head a hard shake. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Because you said so?” Her frown deepens.
“Because you’re strung out.”
Staring into her beady eyes feels like I’ve been thrown back into the past. If anyone understands Antonella’s desperation for her next fix, it’s me. Going through my own shit made me aware of the darkness and self-loathing that fester right below the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
“Like you’re one to judge. Lana told me all about your issue with Oxy. It nearly broke my sister when she realized the man she loved let her down just like everyone else.”
Her blow lands its intended mark right over my heart.
You’re not that guy anymore.
I switch tactics before I lose my cool. “I can get you the help you need.”
There is a certain spark in her eyes. “Like money?”
“Like rehab, therapy, and whatever you need to have a clean start.” I tuck my hands into the pockets of my sweats.
Her head shakes. “I just wanted a place to stay and some money to get back on my feet.”
“I can head over to the motel and book you a room or I can fly you out to a facility and cover the cost, but I’m not going to give you cash.” Doing so would only enable her addiction and hurt Lana even more, neither of which I find acceptable.
Her head shakes, making her thin hair fly. “I don’t want to go to a facility again.”
I check out the marks across her arms. “That’s the only way you’ll be able to manage that.”
She pulls at her sleeves again.
I try one last time. “If you decide differently, all you need to do is give me a call and I can take you somewhere where they can help you get better. I haven’t changed my number.”
Her head shakes. “I’m not ready.”
“I understand.” Far more than I’m comfortable acknowledging. As much as I hate to admit it, I get Antonella and her decisions in a way Lana never can. Having an addiction isn’t easy to accept, let alone treat.
“If you understood me, then you’d help me.” Her pitch rises, reminding me so much of Lana when she gets upset.
“I am offering to help. Just not in the way you want.”
Her gaze hardens. “Fuck you, Cal.”
My lips press together.
She rips at her cuticle, making the skin bleed. “Just let me see my sister. I… Shit.” Her head hangs. “The last time I was here, I did some screwed-up things and I want to apologize.”
