Page 96 of Bloom: Part 2

“Oh. It’s impressive how accepting everyone here is. I’ve never heard anyone slip up or treat him differently.”

Bloom looked genuinely puzzled. “Why would we treat him differently? Nobody cares what he is. He’s one of us. That’s all that matters.”

I nodded, my respect for the bikers growing. They weren’t what I’d expected when I’d first met them. They constantly proved me wrong. The longer I spent around them, the more I realized being a criminal wasn’t the reason my family was messed up. These men had certain priorities straight. The respect they had for each other was nothing short of astounding.

“That’s good.”

“It wasn’t always like this,” Bloom said. “Crowe’s and Winter’s Dads ran the club for a long time, back when we were Bloodlets. They were cruel assholes. Since he took over, Crowe’s been changing things. That’s why we love Smoky Vale. Sure, it’s dangerous, but the people treat each other better regardless of who you fuck. Did you know Crowe had never been with another man before Max? And Win had to hide that he was gay while wewere back in Riverton. Bay’s bi, so he just stuck to women for a long time. Here, we can be whatever we want.”

“That’s the way it should be.”

“Yeah.” Bloom snorted. “I’d love for the day some asshole tells me who to sleep with. It’d be the last word they’d say.”

A shiver ran down my spine. I inhaled deeply and released the breath slowly.

“Bloom.”

“Hmm?”

“I was thinking…”

“Is it something bad?”

“No…I don’t think so.”

“Then what is it?”

“Crowe made a point once that I wasn’t encouraging you enough to go to your therapy appointments. He was right. Your injury interrupted your visits for a while, but now that you’re up and about, I want you to consider going again.”

Bloom frowned, picking the other muffin apart without trying to eat it. “I’m fine. Why do I need to see a shrink?” He widened his eyes. “Do you think that something’s wrong with me? Are you having second thoughts about me?”

“No.” I reached for his hand, but he snatched it away. “I’m thinking about your well-being and that we shouldn’t take it for granted because you’ve been having a more stable time. Often, seeing a professional for mental health is lifelong. I don’t expect you to be magically cured because we’re together. As a medical doctor, I would be irresponsible to condone this.”

“What are you saying? I have to go to a shrink if I want to be with you?”

“No, just that I hope you consider going to one. Someone you can talk to about the things you don’t want to tell me. It doesn’t even have to be Dr. Simms. I’ll find a new psychiatrist for you, someone who you’re more comfortable around.”

Bloom shook his head. “I don’t want to meet someone new and start all over again. Do you really think I need to continue my sessions?”

It would be so easy to please him and tell him I was wrong, but I couldn’t do that to him. “I do.”

“You won’t force me to go if I don’t want to.”

“Of course not. I want you to see the importance and decide to go on your own. Does that make sense?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want it to make sense, but…I’ll think about it.”

“Good. How about we ditch these muffins and go somewhere to have a decent breakfast?”

He nodded but looked wary as if he thought I was using breakfast to lure him to meet a psychiatrist right this moment. I hated that I’d put that mistrust in his eyes, but in time, he would understand I was doing this for his own good.

29

BLOOM

Logan’s rental idled in front of Dr. Simms’s private practice, and I stared at the brick building through the windshield, my stomach churning with unease. Logan was silent beside me, his hand resting on my knee as though he could transfer his steady calm through touch alone.

“I’m so glad you decided to do this,” Logan said softly. “And if you ever want me to be at one of your sessions, just say the word, and I’ll be there.”

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