Page 40 of Not Catching Love

“The fucked-up thing, Seven, is that you can. Out of everyone,youcan. He’ll do anything you want him to do, and if you need to goddamn exploit that, then do it already.”

“It would kill me.” He looks ready to cry too, which isn’t something I thought I would ever see. “I’m sorry.”

I huff. This is it, then. Holding back my tears is getting too hard, and I need to get the hell out of here. “Then fuck you too.”

Chapter Fifteen

Xander

I can’t breathe.

I can’t breathe.

My panic attack won’t end.

I need him.

I need Derek.

We get to the pharmacy.

I know he’ll be here.

He’s always here.

Derek …

Derek …

Derek …

He never shows.

Chapter Sixteen

Xander

I’m at the table working on the family puzzle when Seven walks in. His face is almost as red as his hair, and his hands flex like he wants to tighten them around my throat.

I smile. “Nice morning?”

“Where the frogging hell were you?”

I adopt the most patronizing tone I can manage. “What’s wrong, Seven? The hour session didn’t magically fix you?”

“You promised me you’d be there.”

That almost makes me laugh. “I promised Molly last week as well. Considering how mad you both were about going to therapy, it’s a touch hypocritical that you’re trying to get me there.”

“Because the appointment wasn’tforus!” He’s almost shouting.

“Maybe it should be.” I eye him. “Any unchecked anger issues you should be working on?”

“Only with you.” He kicks out a chair and throws himself into it. “We’re not giving up.”

I turn back to the puzzle. “Yippee.”

“I told you I’d be there to support you, and I will. Stop pushing me away.”

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