My insides flare, and I cut my eyes at him. This whole “savior to the masses” thing he has going on has got to be an act. And if it’s not, it’s annoying as hell. “Look, if Doc Sid sent you to ‘reach out to me”—I make air quotes—“I’m not interested. Just tell him I’m on, like, step number three or whatever. Whichever one you’re preaching about. That should make him happy, and get him off my back.” I mumble this last part.
“That’s step number one.” Tilting his head, he smiles. It’s infuriating, with that damn dimple. But I’m less charmed by its powers today, and it’s more condescending than cute this second. I think about punching it. “And he didn’t send me. I just thought you could use the company.”
From my peripheral, I spy every other table circled by groups. This isn’t a very big place, maybe thirty patients admitted at any given time, but I’ve discovered they clump together quickly here. Like the lumpy mashed potatoes.
“I won’t die of solitude for the next twelve days. In fact, I prefer it.” My gaze holds his, owning the bluff, only my words couldn’t be more false. I’ve always surrounded myself with people; close members of Lone Breed, like Jesse, who cruise to the same rallies. New friends I meet on the road, chums for a night of partying. Whatever crowd my latest boy toy hangs with. Patrons I get to know at the bars where I’ve scored a job.
And then there was always Dar. Even when I counted myself as alone, she was there. This is the first time in my life since I left home that I have absolutely no one.
Boone’s gaze squints, as if he’s trying to suss out the truth. The guy is sharp; I doubt I’m fooling him. “Maybe I need some alone time.” I shrug. “Did you ever think of that, oh wise one? To think things through for myself and shit. Your being here might be hindering my personal growth.”
His easy features tense into a strained, tight-lipped smile. He seems to consider this for a moment before he says, “Alone is an addict’s worst enemy.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, if we’re even going to attempt to be affable—” he cranes an eyebrow, so I clarify “—I didn’t say friends, slick. Affable. Non-threatening acquaintances of the pleasant, no prying variety…then you have got to stop saying shit like that. I’m in rehab, dude. Let the rehabbers do their job. I don’t need sobriety preachers coming at me from all angles.”
He presses back into his chair, his features masked, unreadable. “Fair enough.” He goes to stand and I laugh, halting his movements.
“That’s it?” I ask. Wow, I’ve never so efficiently blown a guy off before. I’m not even sure if that was my goal.
“Sure,” he says. “Non-threatening acquaintances of the pleasant, no prying variety works for me, and I feel we’ve reached the required pleasantry quota for the day.” He winks, and my lips tremble on a smile.
“This could be fun, duce,” I say. “So, more non-invasive civility tomorrow?”
He glances at his plate, stirs his soupy potatoes, and pushes his chair back. “I meant what I said before…” His tone shifts to a serious note, and my defenses flare. “About holding you to that date. It’s been a while for me, wanting to spend time with anyone—but I think I could handle…or I’d like to…” He clears his throat, rubs the back of his neck, looking flustered. I almost blush for his awkwardness, but instead I just watch. I can’t get a clear read on him. If this is part of his game or if it’s genuine.
r /> “Keep it simple, right?” I bob my head and widen my eyes, trying to help him along. “Affable, remember.”
“Right. I can handle that.” His hazel gaze focuses on me. “So we’re clear, I’m not looking for anything else. You don’t have to fear that from me. Simply hanging with an actual, living person rather than my TV is all I’m after.”
I screw up my face, confused.
“There’s lots of alone time when you don’t like hanging out with recovering addicts at the local coffee dispensing group meetings.” He finally stands, stares down at me. “I know all about alone, Melody. Trust me, you don’t do alone better than I do.” He walks a couple of steps, halts, then turns to add, “Bye. For now.”
As I watch him walk off, my side aches. I push my fist into the twinge beneath my ribs, then roll my eyes. I don’t want to get into this, to get involved with someone else’s sob story. To take in yet another broken guy and bang his brains out until I realize he’s damaged goods. Beyond repair. I like my guys like I like my jobs—easy to walk away from when they’re no longer fun.
And annoyingly, that last, despairing look he gave me starts eating away at my resolve.
It’s my fucking Kryptonite.
I always have to stick my nose in it. Yoda Mel, with her worldly wisdom to the rescue.
What is my problem, Dar? I touch her charm—the little silver bare-branched tree—wishing with that ever-present hard lump in my throat that she could answer. She should’ve given me more shit; I fall for just as many lamers.
But Boone did agree to no prying, which means if I don’t ask, he won’t ask. I could stand a little male attention, maybe even a new pal, while I’m stuffed away in this place. And he’s a pal who’s not so bad to look at. I really dig his tats and stretched ears.
With a grunt, I stand and pick up my tray. After I dump my half-eaten dry beef and cold green beans and mushed potatoes into the trash, I think about following the others to the assembly room where the guest speakers are giving their speeches. One of which is Boone.
Why the hell does he tell the same damn story every week? Why the hell do the same damn people go to listen?
I decide to take off on my own. Wander the outside court area. I’d rather melt in the sweltering heat than listen to his hitting bottom story again. Callous? Maybe. Jaded? Absolutely.
Sure, I get it’s an “almost” tragic story, but he’s alive, right? All’s well that ends well. I don’t understand why he’s so bent on recovery when his story doesn’t really show hitting bottom. Not rock bottom. Like the other speakers I heard last week.
He lost his mother. Okay, that’s terrible. Tragic, even. I know how badly losing a parent hurts—how it can fuck with a person’s head. Especially since his mom OD’d. But when I lost my dad—much in the same way; a lifetime of partying caught up to him—I didn’t go off the deep end and start shouting the straightedge creed from the rooftops.
And I lost Darla—
Anger pools fire-hot in the pit of my stomach. I force my thoughts away from her, that night, Jessie… Because regret is useless. Nothing in life is forever. Most certainly not the things or people you love. What does matter: moving forward. Hitting the road and living, being free. For them and yourself.