Page 63 of Obsessed

“I guess that means it’s time to do my stretches.” Holding onto the chair, he folded his leg back until his heel touched his butt, letting out a groan. Tristan’s hike had given him so much - amazing pictures, lifelong friends, incredible memories, and a knee injury that required several months of healing.

“Has it been any better lately? Is physical therapy helping?” Rain’s brow furrowed in concern.

Letting out a breath, the pain on his face drained as he continued stretching, “I think it’s getting better, so yeah, the physical therapyishelping.” He quickly looked away, the top of his cheeks dusting with color, but before Rain could comment on it, he changed the subject.

“Still no word?”

Rain knew that he was asking about Eve, and Tristan had gotten an edited version of Rain’s no-contact decision too because Rain was no longer a toddler adult, just finding his footing, and Tristan didn’t need to know every part of his struggle. He’d seen enough.

“Yep!” Rain sighed in relief. “She’s blocked on my phone, doesn’t know where we live, and my wedding hall is being renovated. I am going to live my own life, without her.”

“I think that’s a great viewpoint and I’m happy that you came to it on your own.” He changed legs, pulling the left one back, his face going as tight as his quad. “Listen, I’m sorry that I left but-”

“If you apologize, I’m gonna throw this water bottle at you.” Rain waved it back and forth. “I know you stayed with her longer than you wanted to, for me, and I don’t think I could ever repay you for that. You did more than enough. As far as I’m concerned? You were my real parent.”

“Kid.” Tristan’s eyes shimmered with tears and he blinked rapidly. “I hate to say it but withyourmother, you needed someone. I’m glad I got to be that someone.”

“I’m glad too. You gave me normalcy. That’s why you shouldn’t feel guilty in any way about doing things for yourself.” Rain tried to be lovingly stern. “Sometimes you can betooaccepting, which is why you and Mom got along so well.”

“Guilty,” Tristan chuckled. “I did a lot of thinking on my thru and you’re right. I do take things on the chin, I’m not bothered by much, I don’t get angry. That’s why my trail name was Breezy, because even after four days of torrential storms I was the only hiker in the hostel who wasn’t upset.”

“I think it’s good and bad,” Rain told him. “Sure, it’s great that you’re stable. Why be pissed at the weather? But if you’re hiding who you are and what you want, setting yourself on fire to keep others warm? That sucks.”

“When did you get so smart, kid?” Tristan winked at him, dropping the other leg and placing both hands on the back of the chair, stretching his calves.

“Being away from Mom does that to a person. As soon as I moved in with Mason, my brain cleared,” Rain stated without thinking and the sadness hit him like a truck a few seconds later. His face must’ve fallen because Tristan gave him a supportive look.

“I’m sorry that it didn’t work out with him.”

“I’m sorry that it didn’t work out with him too.” Rain’s lips settled into a thin line. “And for the millionth time, thank you for letting me stay here.” Even though he’d told himself not to depend on Tristan, that’s exactly what he’d ended up doing.

“Don’t thank me, kid. You’re helping me out,” Tristan grinned sheepishly. A member of Tristan’s tramily had a friend in real estate, helping Tristan land a gorgeous two-bedroom in a nearby town; however, like many thru-hikers, Tristan was having trouble with post-trail life. He’d gone through several jobs in a short time, trying to find something that would stick, and was currently unemployed so Rain was glad he could contribute.

“Good.” He toasted Tristan with his water and they hung out, chatting a bit before Tristan left to take a shower. Too comfortable to move, Rain stayed nestled in the corner of the couch and Mouse eventually wandered over to glare at him.

“You need to stop acting up at night, babygirl.” Taking out his cell, Rain stared at it. He wanted to change his number and completely cut his mother off, but Masonmightcall, so he’d left it, blocking her everywhere he could instead. However, he should face reality because it had been almost three weeks and Rain hadn’t heard from Mason at all. Even though he’d been the one to storm out, he thought that Mason would try to contact him by now, especially with the exhibition looming.

A soft chirp sounded, followed by several more, and Rain stared at his phone, understanding on a deeper level exactly why Mason had wanted to screen his calls. Heart rate rising, he took in a breath and steeled himself, hoping that it might be Mason but also hoping not, all of his optimism dissolving as several texts from an unknown number shouted at him.

RAINY TALK 2 ME NOW

BABY PLZ COPS TOOK GAGE

I NEED MY RAINY PLEASE!!!!!!!

All the breath whooshed out of Rain as he practically heard her voice. The cops took Gage? Why? An internet search had confirmed that he’d spent some time behind bars for DUI but he’d gotten out two years ago. Had he done it again?

Had Mason done something? No, that was laughable.

Rain jumped as the phone chimed a few more times, his eyes staying glued to the screen. Mouse began to cry, her worried meows sounding like they came from a distance. This was bad for Rain but he couldn’t look away, even as he began to sweat and his breaths came in little pants.

RAIN I AM UR MOM U HAVE 2 HELP ME!!!!!!!

stop ignoring my texts rain i know this is ur number. doNT IGNORE ME U SHIT I GAVE BIRTH 2 U. U OWE ME CALL ME RIGHT NOW.

i should’ve aborted you i didn’t think you’d turn out to be so ungrateful. U R suposed to be here 4 me. call me or u will b sorry.

Now would be a good time to put down the phone but he stared, hypnotized, his trauma holding him hostage as more messages beat on him, one after the other.

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