Page 76 of Fought and Freed

Maddy understood what he was telling her, but she still felt the same.

“When Grant showed he was angry that you were leaving, how did that make you feel, Maddy?” Brian asked.

“I wanted to stay.” Maddy scratched her arm restlessly. “I tried texting him, but most of the time, he didn’t answer. Now, we can’t find him.”

“I’ve been running these meetings for five years and been coming to one for ten more.” Brian turned in his seat to face her. “In all my time, there are a few things I’ve learned. One of them is that you can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do. If a person isn’t ready to stay clean, then they won’t. They have to want it.”

He shook his head. “It’s also not right for Grant to put so much pressure on you when you are also a drug addict in recovery. You have to take care of yourself. It’s not right for Grant to put all the responsibility on you.”

He studied her face. “After all these years, I’ve become very good at spotting a drug addict, and you, Maddy, aren’t one. I’m sorry for what happened to you, but from the first day you walked in here, I knew you’d never touch that stuff again.”

“Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me.” A doubt she’d been carrying inside her eased. “What do you suggest I do about Grant?”

Before he could answer, Cody stormed into the room, his head turning from side to side before his gaze locked on her.

Brian hooked a thumb toward him. “I guess he’s looking for you?”

Maddy sighed. She should have texted him she’d be staying after. “Yes, that’s my boyfriend.”

One of Brian’s eyebrows raised. “What about the one that fought with Amber? I thought he was your boyfriend?”

Maddy blushed. “He is. I, umm, have four boyfriends. You could say I have a lot of support.”

“Support is good,” Brian said.

“Sorry to interrupt, Maddy.” Cody walked over to join them. “I got worried when you didn’t come out.”

Brian turned to Cody. “I’m sorry, that’s my fault. I wanted to talk to her about Grant.”

Cody frowned. “She worried about him the whole trip.”

“That happens a lot with people who meet in rehab.” Brian turned back to Maddy. “This will be hard for you, Maddy, but it would be best if you let Grant fail or succeed on his own. If he fails, it’s not your fault. You didn’t make him take that drug or drink.”

Brian stood and held his hand out to Cody. “Hey, my name is Brian, and I run these meetings. It’s good to see Maddy has such good support behind her.”

Cody shook his hand, but his gaze focused on Maddy. “We won’t let her down.”

“I was just telling Maddy that what Grant is doing isn’t right. He’s putting his success all on her. I can tell she has a big heart, and when Grant fails—and I can tell you most of us do at least once—she’s going to take it hard.”

Cody sighed. “That’s what we’re worried about.”

“All you can do is be there for her. As much as we wish, we can only control our own lives.” Brian reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and held it out. “This is my number. Call me if you ever need to talk.”

“Thank you.” Maddy took the card. “I’ve learned a lot from my time here.”

“Is she done?” Cody asked in surprise.

“Addicts are never done. We take it day by day. Whether or not she comes back?” Brian shrugged. “That’s up to Maddy, but she will always be welcome here.”

That night, Maddy talked to Harry and arranged a meeting for the morning, then she texted Grant one last time.

Maddy: If you ever need me, I’m here for you.

Then, she put her phone away. Brian was right. She was in charge of her life and had no control over what Grant did.

She needed to move on and get her life in order.

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