Page 44 of Unwanted

“They’re not riddles,” she argues. “They’re simple truths. It’s not my fault you haven’t worked them out yet.”

“So you’re saying Frankie and I aren’t a bad idea?”

As I wait expectantly for Jenika to answer me, the voices around us quiet down, signaling the beginning of the meeting. Jenika’s attention shifts to the front of the room, our conversation forgotten, and me sitting here, still obsessing over Frankie.

I absentmindedly listen to each speaker, my attention drifting between the stories being told and every encounter I’ve had with Frankie this last week.

Surprising us all, Lennox chose to move into Frankie’s rented Airbnb, claiming he wanted to spend time with Frankie before he went back to Seattle.

I thought it was a great idea, and meant I would potentially see Frankie less, but now with Rhys easily and quickly becoming a permanent fixture amongst my family, Remy and Clem being attached at the hip, and Clem positively glowing at us all being together again, it was hard to stay away.

In reality, I think it added to the fantasy of it all.

We were a family, in the way we’d always wanted to be.

In the present, my addiction hadn’t ruined a single thing. Frankie was here and Lennox was a little down and inside himself, but he had someone in every corner wanting to help.

We were all there for one another.

How could that be a bad idea?

“Is there anybody else who wants to share today?” The question intrudes on my thoughts and I contemplate actually getting up.

I came here with every intention of divulging my feelings and struggles of the last week. It wasn’t often that I spoke to the group, but once I truly realized that nobody knows how deep my struggle runs more than the people in this room, my pride and shame took a back seat, while my recovery was firmly planted in the front.

Jenika looks over at me, raising a knowing eyebrow, and I shake my head at her. “You can buy me a hot drink after instead,” I murmur.

When the meeting is over, Jenika and I skip the small talk and we head to the café across the road where she spoils me with a chai latte and a cinnamon roll.

“I could get used to this after every meeting,” I say as I take a bite of the delicious pastry.

“Considering you barely come, I think my budget can accommodate.”

Jenika takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes peering at me over the cup. Scrutinizing me.

“What?” I ask. “What is it?”

“You look well,” she says. “Lighter even. I would say Frankie being here is responsible.”

I frown at her. “Well, you don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

“Oh, who’s got time these days?” With an outstretched arm, she reaches for me, her index finger smoothing out the lines between my brows. “What’s got you looking so concerned?”

“I’m really horny,” I blurt out.

Jenika laughs, loudly. “Aren’t we all. Why is this a problem?”

Frustrated, I bury my head in my hands. “I don’t know what I’m doing here.”

Jenika pries my fingers off my face, her expression stern and focused on me. “Arlo, honey. Are you worried about your recovery? Or are you worried about getting yourself back into the dating game? Because they’re not the same thing.”

“You make me sound like a complete idiot when you say it like that,” I say. “I know the difference.”

“I don’t think you do,” she counters. “When you figure it out, you won’t feel as confused.”

I cross my arms over my chest in annoyance. “Just like that, huh?”

She mirrors my action, but the smirk on her face says she’s having a much better time discussing this than I am. “Just. Like. That.”

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