Page 34 of Unwanted

It was ridiculous considering she didn’t even argue with me when I ran out the door, but every part of me just wanted to lay eyes on him.

Since he left this morning, apart from Lennox and his recovery, Arlo is the only other thing on my mind. But I was not expecting him to have someone with him, and I was not expecting my heart to plummet to my feet at the sight of it.

Now we’re only a breath apart and the thick air between us makes it hard to breathe. Arlo’s determination to make sure I know he doesn’t date is both suffocating and freeing all at the same time.

And all the reasons I want to hear and all the questions I want to ask sit on the edge of my tied up tongue that doesn’t know what to do with this information.

“Arlo says it’s not good for his sobriety,” Rhys pipes in, instantly breaking the connection between Arlo and me and reminding me that we’re not alone. “I’m hoping I can be as disciplined as he is.”

Giving my head a quick shake, I step back, needing the distance but not wanting it.

“That’s great,” I say to Arlo, because seeing him and hearing about his sobriety truly is. “I’m so happy it’s all working out for you.”

I turn to Rhys. “And you too. Good on you for getting sober. I know it’s not easy.”

“It’s not,” he agrees. “But Arlo helps.”

It’s not that Arlo has never been selfless, but this guy is describing a man I don’t know, and the gravity of what I’ve really missed sits heavy on my chest.

One good morning together isn’t going to erase the fact that I left. It isn’t going to magically change the fact that his sobriety is a big part of his life and the decisions he makes. It isn’t going to magically change that his sobriety is a priority, and the idea that my presence here may ruin that for him adds another Arlo-marked crack to my heart.

“Lennox is coming home tomorrow,” I announce, needing to change the subject. “We figured we would order pizza to celebrate. I know you have plans, but you’re more than welcome to stay and eat with us.”

“We’d love to,” Rhys says, ridding us of all that awkward uncertainty. “Is it already ordered or would you like us to go pick it up?”

“Umm.” I gesture behind me. “We waited to order, but I can ask everyone what they want and go and get it. No need to trouble yourselves.”

“What if you and I go get it?” Arlo suggests.

At first I think he’s talking to Rhys, but when I notice they’re both waiting on me to answer, I realize my assumption was incorrect.

“And leave Rhys here?”

“I don’t mind,” Rhys answers. He points to the waiting room. “I can sit in there till you guys get back.”

“No.” I shake my head, my hostility toward Rhys fading rapidly. I place my hand on the door handle and press down. “Let’s introduce you to everyone and then we can decide what we’re going to do about the pizza.”

Four pairs of eyes follow the three of us as we enter the room. If anyone is unpleasantly surprised by the addition of Rhys, they don’t show it.

In fact, Lennox can’t take his eyes off him. I watch as his eyes do a quick dance over the length of Rhys’s body before returning to his face. His curiosity does not go unnoticed.

I drag out my cell and text him.

Me: A friend of Arlo’s. His name is Rhys.

He picks up his phone and glances at the screen quickly, barely looking away from Rhys. His gaze is focused as he types.

Lennox: Does he know I can’t hear?

I presume Arlo told him why they were coming to the hospital, but I can’t say for certain he knows all the details. Just as I’m about to share this with Lennox, Rhys speaks. He also signs.

“I know none of you know how to sign, but I wanted to say I’d be happy to teach you all.”

Well, that answers Lennox’s question.

Me: I guess he knows. He said he’s willing to teach us all how to sign.

Raising my head, I catch Lennox writing on the whiteboard. When he lifts it up, it’s obvious the question is for Rhys.

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