AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Someone wiser than me talked me out of it.”
“You know our situations are different, right?”
“Of course. You believe that you have to give up being with him because it’s the only way you can help him.”
“It is. It is a long-accepted rule in therapy that you can’t have a personal relationship with the person you’re trying to help.”
“But you’re not his therapist.”
“Call it whatever you want. I’m the one who will do whatever it takes to help him be happy.”
“Have you considered that the happiest he’s ever been was when he was with you? I saw the way he was when the two of you were together. I’ve never seen him happier.”
I thought back to our time in Snow Tip Falls. I had to agree with Quin. Not only was that weekend the happiest I had ever seen Nero, but it was also the happiest I had ever been.
“I really want to help him get everything he’s ever wanted, Quin.”
“What if everything he ever wanted was you?”
I wanted to believe what Quin was suggesting.
“I think we both know how much football means to him.”
Quin looked away and nodded his head in thought.
“Do you love him, Kendall?”
“What?”
“I’m saying all these things, but I guess it wouldn’t matter if you didn’t love him.”
What did I tell him? Of course I loved Nero. I loved him so much I ached thinking about him. Knowing that I have an appointment to see him is what gets me out of bed in the morning. It doesn’t matter how far in the future it is. The fact that I will eventually get to see him allows me to breathe.
“Yeah, I love him.”
“The same wise man once told me that when you’re lucky enough to find love, you have to choose it.”
“Haven’t I, though? I’ve chosen his happiness over my own.”
“Have you? Or, are you running from it? You haven’t told me much about your past. But, is it possible that you’ve been hurt before and you’re using professional distance as a way not to be hurt again?”
I tried not to feel what Quin was saying but the dagger of his words sank deep. I had been hurt before. Evan Carter had filled my childhood with nothing but pain and mistrust. The fog of it was so thick I could barely see beyond it.
So, was Quin right? Was I using professional distance as a way of protecting myself from getting hurt again? Was I just… scared?
Although Quin changed the topic, I thought about what he had said for the rest of the night. When we were about to leave, he reminded me about game night.
“You said Nero won’t be there?”
“He has a big away game that weekend. I don’t think he could be there even if he wanted to. Would you not come if he was?”
“I don’t know. But, I guess it doesn’t matter since he won’t be. Text me when it is. I’ll try to make it,” I said leaving myself some wiggle room to change my mind.
Quin wasn’t shy about expressing his joy. “I’m glad. You haven’t met my roommate Lou yet. He’s going to be there.”
“Will Titus?” I asked remembering what Nero had told me about Titus and Quin’s roommate.
Quin laughed. “Oh right. You know about the two of them. I don’t know why those two won’t just get together and get it over with.”
