Chapter 68
“I’d have to say,” the shrink said, “from everything you’ve told me, that it’s pretty clear.”
“That I’m a headcase?” Rhys leaned back in Brady’s chair as he stared at the computer screen. “I thought everyone was already aware.”
At least the man laughed. “Another obvious thing, you use humor to hide your emotions. That’s not a permanent solution, though.”
“It’s gotten me this far.”
“Has it?” the man asked. Then, he shook his head.
“If the boy you described walked into my office, it would have taken me less than five minutes to have a diagnosis. My preliminary diagnosis would definitely lean toward the combined type of ADHD. If you’d like to meet again, preferably in person, we could go over some options. ”
“I don’t want to take any medication that would keep me from playing ball.”
“Totally understandable. Have Brady get in touch with me, and we’ll set up an appointment whenever works best for you.
There’s more than one option here, Rhys.
There’s no need for you to struggle on your own.
This isn’t a case of you needing to work harder, but finding ways to work with your brain.
I’m sorry the people who were supposed to nurture the boy you were never understood that. ”
“Such a shrink thing to say,” Rhys muttered.
He let out a loud laugh. “Fitting, since that’s exactly what I am. We’ll talk soon.”
The video blinked out and Rhys leaned back in the chair, running his hands over his face. He hadn’t expected the guy to be so nice, or to find himself spilling all the things he’d been told as a child.
And he couldn't get the shrink's words out of his head. It unboxed everything he’d ever been told. You’re lazy. You never listen. Why can’t you ever remember anything I ever tell you? Just sit still already.
He hadn’t been a bad kid. None of his foster parents wanted to take the time to help him. It had been easier to punish him for things he didn’t have much control over. Maybe even that wasn’t fair, they hadn’t had the time or knowledge to know how to help.
He didn’t feel like being fair at the moment.
Not when he’d been the one to have to live with this all his life.
How would things have been different if he’d known this about himself, instead of believing what everyone always told him?
You’re not going to get anywhere in this life if you don’t buckle down and focus.
He'd done all right for himself. Even if it wouldn’t have been someone’s idea of conventional success.
He felt itchy, restless, and a part of him wanted to run. Find someone and hide away from the thoughts and feelings this dredged up. Mel and the twins were waiting for him outside, though. He should get back to them.
You don’t deserve them.
He rubbed a hand over his face again then held up both middle fingers to that voice. It sounded a hell of a lot like Craig’s. He didn’t want to listen to anything that asshole had to say.
Brady waited in the hallway when he left the office. He tried to force a smile. Brady sent him a stern look. “What did he say?”
It didn’t matter what the shrink said. He was sure the team would think they were better off not having to deal with him.
Everyone would eventually figure that out. Just as he opened his mouth to try to say something to sweep over that, Brady said. “Do not make it into a joke, Molson. What did he say?”
Damn these people for knowing him so well. “He was pretty confident in diagnosing me. Said he’d be in contact with some stuff that could help. I won’t let it affect my game. I swear.”
“That’s never been what concerned us. We just want you at your best.”
Sure, that’s what they said. Until they needed a reason to get rid of him. “I should get back out there,” Rhys said, before he could let any of that slip out.
Brady didn’t say anything else as Rhys headed out to the field. When he got there, Alfie stood near Mel and the twins and something twisted hard through him. He had to press a hand to his chest to make sure his heart wasn’t actually crawling out of his body.
He was going to completely ruin whatever this was. He pasted on a smile as he threw himself between them. “Well, if it isn’t all my favorite people in one place. How did I get so lucky?”