Chapter 35
“Grantme the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Flipping the coin between my fingers, I’d do anything for a fucking drink right now. But I know what I signed up for. Six months of this.
I should feel relieved that this is what I have to go through. Ember would be in jail. Or worse. So watching this woman in overalls tell me how better off I am without the use of alcohol or cocaine will have to do.
“Okay everyone, it’s that time again,” Marissa says. She’s our wholesome leader, guiding our addicted minds to glory. “We’re welcoming a new member to our group, so as always, be nice and accepting.”
Poor bastard.
“It’s been a busy season, and we’re low on space, so Malcolm.” Her eyes find mine and I sit up in my chair, pretending to give a fuck. “She’ll be rooming with you.”
Fuck.
Wait… she?
There’s only one girl on my mind the entire time I’ve been here. It’s the only thing keeping me from hanging myself from a string of blankets. I know the spot. It’s in the bathroom, a sturdy pipe.
I’m putting a stop to this. “Marissa, I?—”
“Everyone welcome Ember Everett.” She starts a round of applause as I straighten up in my seat. I know she’s been on my mind but did Marissa just say the thing I think she did?
That tall, curvy frame enters the room and everything around me blurs. The applause muffles and I’m tempted to slap myself to see if I’m actually dreaming.
She locks eyes on mine. Bloodstones. Then a wonky smirk comes to her face. She’s in sweats. My sweats. They overtake her body in a way I wish I could right now.
“Ember? Want to say a few words?”
Marissa moves to the side and my eyes don’t move off her.
What the fuck is she doing here?
“Hi, I’m Ember, and I’m an addict.”
“Hi Ember,” the room responds.
She makes up some bullshit story about how she got here. Well half of it is bullshit. She includes her dead father, her absent mother and her alcoholic uncle.
She includes the disappearance of her one true love.
“Some might say I fell into this bad habit for love,” she says. “But that’s my fault.”
Marissa says some uplifting words but it’s hard for me to sit still. It’s hard for me to watch what I think is a dream without wrapping my arms around her. Without consuming her. Something twitches under my joggers, heat flowing through my body under my matching hoodie.
“We’ll break out for lunch, but please, help Ember settle in everyone.” Marissa looks at me. “That means you too, Mac.”
I wait until the rest of our group says their hellos and head to the lunch room before I finally stand.
She steps towards me as I step towards her.
We’re face to face. Those bloodstone eyes hit mine. They’re brighter than ever, her cheeks growing pink.
My hand comes to her face and warmth floods me.
She’s real. She’s here.
But, she doesn’t say anything, her eyes watering up as if she’s in as much disbelief as I am.
So I ask the one thing on my mind besides her. “What the fuck are you doing here, Everett?
“Did you forget?” Her voice is soft but there’s a power in there that’s back. That small smirk widens, her eyes fixed on mine. “We’re in this together.”