Page 122 of Addiction

“What have you said to her?”

“Nothing. She was the one who did all the talking. She bored me at times. But I’ve heard all about her wonderful life and her late husband Pete. The man sounds like a right idiot but I—”

“Pete was no idiot. He was everything you are not, so don’t you dare talk about him like that,” I growl, the wrath of my anger rising from zero to one hundred in seconds. He can try to bring me down whichever way he likes, but I will not sit here and listen to him speak ill of a man who is not here to fight his corner and certainly doesn’t deserve the disrespect.

“Thought that would get your back up.” He grins. “Dear old Fiona kept talking about how wonderful her husband’s Physical Therapist was. As I said, she bored me toward the end, but then she takes out her phone and shows me a picture. And there you were, after all these years. My boy and dear old dead Pete.”

“I am not your boy!” I scrape back my chair and stand, turning my back on him as I rest my arm against the wall, trying to calm the rage that has just soared through my veins.

Why? Why the hell does he have to be like this? Has he just come all this way to cause me more pain? Is he here just for the fun of it?

“Apparently, you’re the best P.T. around the area, although, I can’t see how you can be all that great since I’ve not heard of you. Anyway,” he continues. “It seems you fitted into the Nelson family like you were meant to be a part of it. So much so that you’re now dating the alcoholic son. What a way to bring disgrace to the family.”

I spin around, now pissed and unable to contain my anger anymore as I slam my hands down on the table. “Why. Are. You. Here?”

Silence falls for a beat before he rises from the table and mirrors my position. Keeping his voice low, he says. “To see for myself how far you have fallen since I last saw you. Fiona told me all about you and I thought, why not. By the looks of this shit hole and the company you are keeping, you’ve stooped just about as low as you could go.”

“You know nothing.”

“Has working in some sweat fest warehouse with an alcoholic convict for a boss and a lover always been your dream?” He raises an eyebrow, incensing me even more. “I hadn’t expected anything less if I’m honest. But you’ve really dragged my name into the gutter this time.”

I grab the lapels of his jacket and pull him closer until we are nose to nose, my insides racing with adrenaline. He, however, finds the whole thing quite amusing.

I notice Mark slowly making his way toward us. We’re no doubt putting on a good show for the remaining people in the gym but I’m past the point of caring. I catch movement from the boxing ring and see Asher on his feet, heading in our direction, but he is stopped short by a warning from Mark, his hand signal indicating he needs to stay exactly where he is. I’m thankful to Mark because there’s no way in hell I want my dad to turn his poison on Asher.

“I fucking hate you.”

“No. You hate the fact that I have the life you want and that you are no longer welcome in the Rodriquez household.”

“I never wanted your life, and I certainly don’t care about the family name when it holds nothing but secrets, lies and treachery. Why would I want to be anything like you when all you do is hurt people? You are cold, callous, and heartless. And I am so glad I walked away from the family when I did because I haven’t had to be privy to your twisted games and narcissistic life anymore. Jonny would have seen through you eventually, and I can’t wait for the day that Mom wakes up and admits what you are because then you’ll have nothing and no one.”

“I have everything you never will.”

“And you will never have anything I’ve got.”

“Please enlighten: what could I possibly be missing out on here?” His arm sweeps out to the side, indicating the gym and everyone in it.

“I have a life I love. I have people I love, and I have a family that loves me. They may not be blood, but their loyalty and acceptance are so much stronger than anything you’ve given me. You’ve seen what you came to see, you’ve satisfied your sick curiosity so now you and your bullshit can leave. You are not welcome in my hometown.”

I turn and walk away, wanting to calm myself. Then, like always he ensures he has the last word, saying the one thing he knows will stop me in my tracks.

“Does your precious family know you are the reason your brother died?”

Spinning on my heels, I stride back toward him, my chest tight with a ferocity I can no longer control as I push past Mark. Before I have time to think, my fist is connecting with his face and blood is splattering out from his nose as he falls back into the table and chairs.

Leaning over him, I spit out, “I hope you rot in hell. Now stay the fuck away from me.”

I turn back and head to my office, slamming the door behind me and shutting everyone out as I slide down the door to the floor. All the air leaves my lungs as my heart races with both pain and anger.

What have I done that is so bad?

I am just me.

Me.

Why is that so wrong?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR