Chapter Twelve
MARCO
I’m sitting on the couch getting high with Janell when there’s a knock on my door.
The last person who knocked on my door in the middle of the day was Bella.
I know it can’t be Mathias because he’s once again out of town on business.
Janell gets up to answer the door and I put the coke inside the box.
I don’t need people walking in on my business—like Bella did that day.
The door opens and I hear voices but I can’t make out who they are. Then my mom and dad walk in with Janell trailing behind them.
“I’ve been calling you for two weeks,” my dad says, and by the sound of his tone he’s more concerned than mad.
“I’ve been busy.” I stand to get some distance, but my dad walks toward me, grabbing my chin in his hand.
“I’m going to ask you this once. Are you high?” Averting my gaze away from his, I shrug and he grips my chin harder. This time I jerk my face out of his clutch.
“It’s not your business,” I answer, continuing not to make eye contact.
“Sweetie,” my mom says only she isn’t talking to me. She’s talking to Janell who is standing near the wall looking uncomfortable as hell. “Why don’t I take you home so my husband and son can talk.”
Janell nods in agreement, and after grabbing her purse, they’re out the door.
“You’re going to rehab,” my dad states as soon as the door closes. My eyes shoot up to his. My first thought is if I go to rehab, I’m going to be in pain.
“Fuck no, I’m not,” I spit out looking him in the eye, not giving a fuck anymore. There’s no damn way I’m going somewhere that requires me to be in pain.
“Marco, Son. Please.” He approaches me, but I back up not wanting his comfort.
“Your mom and I have been worried about you. When Bella…” He cuts himself off, but it’s too late.
He tries to recover by saying, “What I mean is, you haven’t called or answered any of our calls in weeks,” but it’s too late.
“Bella called you?” I’m fuming. She has her own shit to deal with, and instead of worrying about herself, she called my damn dad.
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re here and we’re going to get you help.
” He moves closer again, his hands up like he’s dealing with a wild animal.
The look on his face is pained, and even as high as I am, I hate that I’m the one putting it there, but I don’t care enough to be in pain for the rest of my life.
I need the drugs. They numb me. They numb my mind and my body.
“Marco, we love you. We need you to get help. Please. Your family. Your friends. Bella. Tristan. Your sisters. We’re all here for you.
” I contemplate what he’s saying for a moment.
When I watched Bella walk out the door, slamming it shut behind her, I considered chasing after her.
But I knew she was better off without me in her life.
She needs someone like Tristan, and she sure as fuck doesn’t need me.
The truth is, none of these people need me.
And then it hits me, I have officially become my mother’s son. And no, I’m not referring to the woman who raised me for the last thirteen years. I’m talking about my biological mother, the one who needed drugs for most of my life. The woman I swore I would never become.
You always hear the saying, nature over nurture. Guess they were right, because here I am, high as fuck needing the drugs. Guess I’m more like my mom than I wanted to admit.
“I want you to get out,” I say.
Caleb looks at me with wide eyes. “Marco, don’t do this.”
“Get out!” I boom. I get up in his face, which is a mistake. We might be built similar, but Caleb isn’t high or injured like I am.
“You need help, Son,” he begs.
“I’m not your goddamned son! Now get out!
” I stalk toward the door and open it for him, but he refuses to leave.
So, without saying another word, I walk out the door, slamming it closed behind me.
As soon as I’m down the stairs I hit the beach and call Janell’s brother, Ivan. He answers on the second ring.
“What’s up?”
“I need you to pick me up. Down at Gazpacho’s.” It’s a bit of a walk from my place, but I need to get away from Caleb. He doesn’t get it. None of them do. I always knew I was tainted, that blood is thicker than water. But now, it’s confirmed. I never stood a fucking chance against biology.