Page 114 of Rise Above

his couch. “Why are you even still speaking to them?”

“I can’t just abandon them when they covered the

cost of ten surgeries. I only ever go back for one holiday a year. That’s all I feel I owe them, and it’s always uncomfortable and unpleasant.”

“So, why torture yourself? You’re an adult. The

bills go to you now. Stop allowing people who clearly don’t care for you into your life. Me, Davis, Dre, Nat, and even Zeke are your family, okay? Forget everything else.”

My heart beat hard in my chest. Those words had

been said to me a thousand times, yet when Talon said them, I was more willing to believe them. It seemed

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counterproductive that my brain needed someone else to say it.

“It’s hard to let go of the past,” I said, turning my

head to face him. I leaned against his shoulder, craving his warmth. “I go to therapy and am getting better, but recovery is never linear. There are days that are better than others, but some days really, really suck.”

“That makes sense. Trauma can be hard. I know I

still have hard days after Dad’s death and all the bullshit with Melody.”

We sat in silence for a while before Talon stood up

to get ready for practice. He gave me one long look before leaving, and then one, soft kiss to my lips so quickly I barely felt it.

Once the door closed behind him, I sighed and

pulled my laptop out. I had one more chapter on my dissertation before submitting to my advisor. Then it would just be edits and re-writes.

Before I could even thoroughly start my writing

process, my phone went off. I glanced at the phone and felt dread enter my body as my mother’s name crossed the screen. Though I loved her, she irritated me deeply. Everything came back to her needs and her pain.

“I’m busy.” I was in no mood for pleasantries

today. My body ached, and my mind was still beyond frazzled. Being a patient had a tendency to rattle my brain in the worst way possible.

“Lord knows I raised you better than that. That is no

way to speak to your mother—”

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“Frankly, after the way I was treated at

Thanksgiving, you’re lucky I picked up the phone at all. Unless you’re about to apologize to me, I don’t really want or need to speak to you.”

Mom was silent for a moment. “Your words can

hurt others, Aife.”