Page 92 of The Fix

“Like this?” I cock a brow and gesture around us. “Having to send one of us to rehab?”

His gaze sharpens, his shoulders squaring. But the voice that responds is anything but angry.

“If this isn’t what you need, then tell me.”

I shake my head. “You made the decision. You and whoever else, while I was out, to add more people to the band. To our family. And didn’t bother to tell me you were even thinking about it. Just like you decided to medicate me when I was too weak to make the decision myself.”

Leo’s torso slams back in his seat like I gut punched him.

A thick silence falls around us, and I would swear I could see the bags under his eyes darken in that moment, just as I feel my stomach drop against the weight of the words.

It hurts. So damn much. And yet, it needed to be said.

Honesty.

“I know that now,” he mutters, that icy gaze slamming to mine and refusing to leave. “I made a mistake. Actually, quite a few. And I know that an apology will only go so far. So instead of saying I’m sorry again”—Leo’s throat bobs with a swallow before he leans forward, bracing his forearms on the table—“I’ll ask for your forgiveness and hope that I can actually earn it someday.”

A lump forms in my throat at his declaration, and I nod.

I don’t want to be mad at him forever.

I don’t want to be mad at them at all.

I just want my family back.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Toby

Dusk has quickly given way to night since I walked the path to find Leo waiting for me, an apology at the ready for his transgressions.

I know he means it.

And I believe him, believe that he’s sorry for his part in things. Just like I am.

“I’m sorry, too, Le,” I mutter into the cooling nighttime air, my steps slow along the path, one of my best friends keeping pace at my side.

“You’re here. You’re getting help. That’s what matters, Toby.”

I nod, my fists shoved in the pockets of my leather jacket, my anger vacating my veins like a cleanse of all the bad shit between us with each pull of fresh air in my lungs.

“So what have I missed?” I ask, desperate for a change of subject, ready to move on from the heartfelt shit that’s making my already broken chest ache. “Where is everyone?”

Leo sniffs, his head bouncing on a nod as if accepting the conversation between us is what it is. “Well, we’ve got fan events and shit lined up once you’re sprung from here. Shows if you’re up for it.”

“That’s always what’s up.” I give a snicker. “I didn’t miss that shit. What’s up with the guys?”

He snorts. “Well, Mac came with me. Fin and Rex’ll be in sometime tomorrow. I thought it would be best to go slow with them.”

Some of that weight lifts off my chest. “So they didn’t avoid me like the plague. Cool.”

A laugh bubbles up out of Leo’s mouth, and I have to admit … it feels good to be the source of someone laughing for a change.

Leo shakes his head, a small grin lightening his features. “Didn’t wanna throw the whole pot at the wall, just to see what stuck. We know shit has to change and we’re all in.”

“I don’t want things to change for you guys.”

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