Page 62 of Doctor Hot Mess

My breath catches. I shouldn't take this personally. He has a shit ton on his plate. I want to help him, to beg him to let me be there for him. But I know I need to back off for a bit and hope he comes back around.

I put my phone down and take a sip of my coffee. Just like I advised him about how to deal with this with Lila, I can't fix Jonah. If he wants me around, he will let me know. I've made it clear I want to be there for him.

No sooner do I come to that realization that my phone beeps.

Thanks for checking in, Harper. I appreciate it.

It’s polite, but it’s also a clear sign that he’s closing the door. Still, I try one more time.

Do you want to talk? Or meet up? I’m here if you need me.

…

The dots appear, signaling he’s typing, but they vanish almost as quickly as they came. I stare at the screen, waiting, but nothing happens. A tight ache forms in my chest as I set the phone down, trying not to let the silence feel like rejection.

He’s pulling away. Yesterday, I wasn't certain, but now there is no doubt.

And maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, but it doesn’t make it any easier. The Jonah I know—the one who always keeps his cool, who cracks jokes even when the world is falling apart—is slipping further and further behind a wall I can’t reach.

And now, there’s this. Lila’s gambling and the trouble she’s caught up in—it’s not just about her struggles anymore. It’s about how deep she’s gotten, how far she’s fallen. And Jonah’s caught right in the middle, trying to hold it all together, trying to fix what might not be fixable.

I wrap my hands around my coffee mug. The warmth does little to ease the chill spreading through me. I can’t stop thinking about Jonah, about the weight he’s carrying on his shoulders. The guilt he wears like armor. He’s trying so hard to protect her, to protect everyone, but I wonder who’s protecting him.

I'm losing. I can feel it, and I know I should respect his space. But this is big—for him, for Lila, for everyone involved. My mind keeps circling back to how heavy all of this must be for him, how relentless it is to keep standing when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

I stare out the window, watching as the late afternoon sunlight filters through the trees. Jonah’s always been the guy who keeps it together, the one who seems untouchable even when the world’s falling apart. But even he has his limits.

TWENTY-THREE

Jonah

11:47 AM

The phone breaksthe silence with, "I'm Sexy And I Know It."Normally, that makes me smile. Today, it grates on my nerves. I pick it up and glance at the screen, expecting a work notification, but my chest tightens when I see the name:Mom.

Why the hell is she calling me, now? I've got enough on my plate to have to deal with her feigned care for one of her kids. Both of my parents are good at playing the concerned parent when things go sideways, but there is nothing solid to back it up.

And I wonder why I'm so fucked up.

“Hey, Mom,” I say, forcing my tone to stay light.

“Jonah,” she replies, her voice softer than I remember. “Hi. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

It’s a terrible time, but I can’t exactly say that. “Not at all,” I lie. “What’s up?”

There’s a pause, long enough to feel awkward. “About the gambling debts, and... well, the trouble she’s in. I wanted to call and see what you think Dad and I can do.”

There it is—the hollow offer. Too little, too late.

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. “How did you hear?”

“She called,” she admits, her voice quieter now. “Yesterday. She didn’t say much, just that she’s staying with you and... that she’s in some kind of mess. I didn’t push her for details, but she sounded scared, Jonah. Really scared.”

I let out a slow breath, leaning against the counter. That tracks. Lila wouldn’t give Mom the full story, not when she barely opens up to me. “She’s dealing with a lot,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “Gambling debts. Bad decisions. It’s catching up with her, and I’m trying to help, but it’s not exactly straightforward.”

“She mentioned something about money,” Mom says hesitantly, and I can hear the guilt creeping into her voice. “Jonah, I didn’t realize how bad it’s gotten. Why didn’t you tell us as soon as she showed up there?”

I bark out a short laugh, unable to hold it back. “Tell you? When’s the last time you and Dadwantedto hear about Lila’s problems, or anyone’s for that matter? The first thing she’d tell you, you’d write off as her fault and stop listening.”

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