Page 73 of Rise Above

Outside of work and soccer, I am barely a functioning person. No one knows that either. I try to hide it so no one else is burdened by me. But, I feel like I’m drowning.”

“Let me lighten your load.” He gently grasped my

chin. “That’s what friends do.” There were words left unsaid; it was clear in his eyes. He looked at me like I was the moon and stars, free of pain.

“We’ve only known each other for like two

months.” That wasn’t enough time for me to open up. Breaking down in front of him was a major mistake. Chicago was supposed to be a new start, away from the trauma. Trauma had a funny way of finding me though. Could I even trust Talon? What would he do with my secrets? Another betrayal would kill me, of that I was sure.

My own family couldn’t handle what I had been

through. It started after my knee surgery. I’d always been a sick person, needing surgery after surgery, but this was different. The pain I was in was indescribable. There were these sharp, blinding pains at the base of my skull and the top of my head. These pains were unbearable. I couldn’t tolerate light or have any kind of noise around me. At some point, I lost my peripheral vision. Then came the volatile mood swings. One moment I was crying, the next in an inexplicable rage. The worst was the inability to sleep. There were times I’d go seventy-two hours without sleeping. I felt crazy, and those symptoms lasted for four years! I alienated everyone, and I had been terrible to be around. Words I could never take back had left my mouth.

Doctors seemed unable to diagnose me. Mom made

it all about her, Dad avoided me, and my brother told me I

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was a raging bitch. I felt crazy. Each year, my symptoms got worse. How I passed grad school was a mystery. As the pain increased, so did my desire to die. I was living a half life, and no one could figure out a solution. The last year I was sick was the worst year of my life. It was a time I’d rather forget. Only my family knew, and they treated me like a pariah. Talon couldn’t know.

“Aife, I care about you too.” He looked so earnest

as he said it. His eyes soft, his face open. “I just told you about getting cheated on. It can’t be worse than that, right?”

I looked up at the handsome hockey star. “It can be.

I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy.”

“Were…” He trailed off, gulping. “Were you

raped?”

“No.”

“Aife…” His tone was argumentative, ready to

push.

“Talon, drop it. You need to rest anyway. Just

please, sleep and forget you witnessed anything.”

He sighed. “Fine. For now.” Talon settled in bed,

elevating his wrist on the pillow I provided him. “Actually, not fine. Aife, seriously… what is going on?” His jaw clenched, brows furrowed.

“Pressuring and berating me isn’t going to make me

open up. I’m thankful you trust me and opened up, but I’m just not there yet.” I wanted to turn away, hurt lancing my heart.

Talon sighed again. “Okay, I guess I can get that.

I’m sorry, darling. One thing to know about me is I’m

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