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“Really?” He shifts in his seat, eyes wide with surprise. “That’s great news, Lev.”
In an attempt to downplay the situation, I sweep my hand through the air then slap my knee. “It’s all right, I guess.”
“How are you doing with your meds?” he asks, and I’m a bit surprised he’s changing gears so abruptly. For years, he’s pushed me to open up and I’ve said more positive words in this short session than I have in all the time we’ve been meeting. Yet, he’s asking about my meds.
“My meds are fine. No changes needed. Why the fuck are you asking about the meds? You’ve had me on the same one for years.”
“I just want to be sure no adjustments are needed at this time. I’m happy to hear they are working well for you.” He scribbles in his notebook again and I move forward, stretching my neck.
“What the hell are you writing?”
Quickly, he closes the notebook and sets it back on the table. “Tell me more about this girl. What’s her name?”
I settle back on the couch, feeling a wave of serenity pass through me. She’s definitely woken something inside my soul. Even just the mention of her mollifies me lately.
“Her name isn’t important,” I tell him. “It’s what she’s doing to me that matters.”
Tilting his head slightly to the right, Dr. Edmonds studies me. “And what is it that she’s doing?”
I inhale sharply, speaking on the exhale. “Making me feel things that I didn’t think I’d ever feel again.”
“Such as?”
“Jesus, Doc.” I huff. “You really are a nosey son of a bitch, you know that?”
He smirks, lifting his shoulders. “Just doing my job. We can skip the feelings, though. Let’s talk about the intimacy between you and this girl…”
“That’s a big fuck no.”
“It wasn’t long ago you struggled to—”
“I said no,” I snap, rolling my hand through the air. “Next topic.”
“Very well. How about your cousin, Cade, and your aunt and uncle?”
“Fuck those greedy bastards.” I abruptly get to my feet, suddenly feeling the urge to get out of here. Walking toward the door, I pause when I get to it. My neck arches back, and my eyelids fall shut. Normally, I'd be rapidly firing insults at Doc while I'm on my way out the door. There's a familiar impulse to rip it open and slam it shut with an almighty bang.But this time, I surprise myself by turning back around to the conversation. It's a reminder that I'm a work in progress.“I think Cade left campus. Must’ve gone home. As for his fuckwad parents, I don’t care if I never see them again for as long as I live. They aided in my misery and they’re dead to me. Next topic.”
Eyebrows raised, Dr. Edmonds nods slowly, pleased with my response. “That was good, Lev. Very good.”
“Don’t patronize me, old man.” I scoff on my way back to the sofa. “Next topic.”
“How’s your grades?”
Easy question with a quick response. “Shit.”
“And your plans for the impending holidays?”
“Fuck this.” I jump back on my feet and haul ass toward the door. I was able to refrain from escaping with the previous question, but not this one. I jerk open the door. Gripping the handle fiercely, I slam it shut, but it bounces back open and I’m forced to slam it again.
Sweat protrudes on my hairline as I pace the hall for what feels like minutes.
Plans for the impending holidays.
How fucking dare he go there. Dr. Edmonds knows how I feel about the holidays.Much like every year, as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, the realization hits me that I have no family to go home to. Everyone around me will soon prepare to travel home to be with their families—except Ridge, who now considers Maddox’s family his own. They’ll beg me to come with them, but I won't because I don’t accept pity handouts, and that’s exactly what it would be.
I’ve got nobody.
But I could have her.
