Page 83 of The Reluctant Hero

It would keep her out of jail and an innocent, well-meaning therapist alive, for one thing. However, I can tell that neither of those things will convince her.

“It’s still a visit,” I offer and take a quick drink of beer to shore myself up for the deep waters I’m currently treading. “But instead of showing her yourbadside you can display the good things you do for him?”

“A positive reward for bad behavior,” she raises a brow and gives me the creepy, disappointed look.

“A sign to your boyfriend that you’re willing to go out on a limb for him despite your instinct to beat his therapist to death,” I deadpan. “It’s not about winning the therapist over. It’s about showing your boyfriend that you care enough to support someone who’s concerned about his mental health. So what if she’s saying things you don’t want to hear? Tell her to her face that it’s real and you aren’t going anywhere. Workwithher to help him instead of being an asshole.”

She stares into the distance as she thinks about it. I’m too nervous to eat the rest of my food. One day, I will eat a plate of these nachos, and I will celebrate.

“A fair point. Back to the original question,” she suddenly mentally returns to the conversation.

“That might be a question for his therapist?” I try to pawn the major life decision off on a more capable individual.

“I’m asking you,” she tells me in a dead tone.

I heave another sigh and twirl a chip on the plate. “Has he mentioned marriage at all to you?”

“No. He wants to keep me close at all times so he knows I won’t leave. He’s following me today.”

“That’s not creepy,” I mutter and try to be sneaky about looking around.

“He’s in the parking lot,” she assures me.

“So he’s clingy. What have you done to help alleviate the situation?”

“I bought a house. I originally planned to watch him without contacting him. He chose to move in instead. I accepted.I’ve told him he’s mine. I let him cuff me to him while we’re at home. I’ve offered to do it outside the house, but he says doing it in public would be too noticeable.”

I’m learning a lot today. I feel sorry for this therapist already, and I sicked South on her. Should I repent for that?

“That’s a lot,” I tell her, trying to wave off whatever else she planned on saying. “And a lot of effort. Does he thank you for it or not notice it?”

“He thanks me once the panic has left. I don’t want that, though. I want it understood that he never has to thank me for it because I will always be with him.”

The way she says it gives me a cold chill. If he has dealt with her this long, he’s made of freaking steel.

“He craves attention. He’s been texting me nonstop today because I’m not with him,” she tells me, showing me her phone to prove it, but I don’t look.

“Okay, stop spilling secrets he might not want people to know,” I snap and smack her hand down. “Are you okay with him being that clingy?”

“Of course,” she says simply.

“Because you need him, too,” I nod. In a messed-up way, it makes a lot of sense. They’re both odd enough that I can see it. “Does he like surprises?”

She stares at me as if she’s trying to pick my brain apart with her eyes. It suddenly reminds me of the look Jake gets sometimes. What does that mean?

Instead of answering, she texts something. After a moment, she glances at me. “He said if it’s a surprise from me, he knows he’ll love it.”

“Then surprise him by popping the question,” I suggest and hope for the best.

“I don’t understand,” she narrows her eyes on me. “You’re trying to get a divorce, but you’re advocating marriage.”

“Just because mine didn’t work out doesn’t mean yours won’t,” I protest belligerently. “In the long run, my divorce is going to do me a lot of favors.”

“Like?” She tilts her head to watch something over my shoulder.

“Not having to act like I’m only around to make someone happy while I’m miserable,” I sneer at her. “I never even noticed I was doing it.”

And I’m going to stop doing it at work as of now. Or as of my mom calling me names.

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