Page 76 of Embracing Trust

“Save it.” Patrick pushes his chair back and quickly rises to his feet. He reaches across the desk and pokes my chest. “You.” He pokes my chest harder. “You screwed up. Big time.”

“When I was at the—”

“No. No excuses.” Patrick shakes his head before I can finish my sentence. “You probably don’t think it’s a big deal, but it’s taken me fiveyearsto get this company off the ground. Customers rely on word of mouth. Mybusinessrelies on word of mouth. I can’t have unreliable subs and managers on my job sites.” Patrick comes out from behind his desk.

Shit, he’s pissed. I’ve really let him down.

“Thankfully, for you, the Bellamy’s are good people and so far, everything has been running smoothly at that job.” Patrick leans on the corner of his desk. “So, what’s with the drinking?”

Drinking? What’s he talking about?

“What?” I ask, my heart beating quicker.

“You’re not just drinking. You’ve been getting drunk lately.”

I let out a huff. “Oh, like you’ve never been drunk.”

Patrick’s eyes bulge and his face is red. “Maybe, but not when I’m supposed to be working,” he shouts.

Oh shit. It takes a lot to get my easy-going brother to the red face alert.

I take a deep breath. “I don’t think I have a drinking problem, ok?”

Patrick lets out a breath. “I don’t either.”

“You don’t?” This is weird. I thought that was what he was just screaming about.

“But I think you have problems and you’re using drinking to mask the pain.” His tone is softer now. “Agree?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

He steps around behind his desk and takes a seat. He opens the top drawer and removes a business card. He hands it to me. “Lydia knows this guy. He works a lot with returning Vets and he served overseas himself. He’s a good guy and we want you to give him a try.”

I read the card aloud. “Dale Weber. Psychiatrist.” I glance at my brother, and he nods.

“It’s time,” he says.

I swallow a lump in my throat. “The nightmares,” I whisper.

“I know. We hear you sometimes.”

“There’s a lot going on right now. It’s the whole thing with Aubree and I still haven’t told Julia about that. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t get some stuff out of my head. It’s almost like an unwanted houseguest that won’t go home, you know?” I rise from the chair.

Patrick rises from his chair, comes around the desk, and gives me a firm hug. “You don’t have to be tough all the time, you know?” We break our embrace, and he smirks.

I chuckle. “Says the guy who drove himself to the hospital with a broken foot.”

“Meh.” Patrick shrugs. “I was a lot younger then.”

I wrap my arms around my brother and give him a firm pat on the back.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, and I mean it.

He nods. “I know. Just get some help. Yeah?”

I let out a breath. “Thanks.”

“Now get the hell out of my office.” He wads a piece of paper and launches it at me as I make my way out the office door.

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