“Well, we all know that’s going to go over like a fart inchurch.” Kieran scoffs.
“It doesn’t matter how it goes over with them. We can only control ourselves, and I’m asking you guys to pull back a little.” My eyes are pleading with him to understand, but I also know Kieran’s dramatic first and sensible second.
“Fine, but I’m not telling the others, you can tell them. Matter of fact, let me be there when you tell Rowan and Clara that they can’t come see their kid daily anymore. You know, for research.”
“I’m not their kid, Kieran. My parents died almost five years ago.”
“Oh, even better. Let me be there when you tell themthat.You talk a big game, but we both know you’ll let them baby you until the end of time because it makes them both happy.” I’m half a second from swinging on him to wipe that smug look off his face when Davis cuts in.
“Okay, so what I’m hearing you say is you want to stop being treated like a child. That youbothwant to stop being treated like children.” His eyes are inquisitive.
One thing that I really love about Davis is his ability to talk me through my struggles. No matter if that’s cravings, Lee being sick, or the mundane tasks of life. Our friendship was fast and all at once. I guess it has to be when you’re trusting someone to help you work through your alcoholism and learning how to live an entirely different way. I’d like to think we’ve now developed a deeper friendship than just sponsor/sponsee at this point. I’ve told him more stuff than even Kieran knows. God knows I could never tell Kieran about that, but the truth is the truth.
“Yes and no. I mean, at the most basic level, yes. I just want to be treated like I’m not seconds away from falling off thewagon every second of every day.”
He nods along to what I’m saying. “And do you think you are? Seconds from falling off the wagon, I mean?”
“No.” There’s zero hesitation in my voice. I’ve said since the day I came home from the cabin that I’ll never drink again. I really thought I was going to die, and Declan said I could have if Doc wasn’t there with us. Me dying means me leaving Lelonie, and that’s not happening. I only just got her back.
“And if you think you’re going to drink? When you get cravings?” He pushes. I’m pretty sure just so Kieran can hear what Davis and I already know, because we already practice it.
“I call you or I talk to Lee about it.” I say with complete resolution.
“What about us though? You don’t want to tell us when you’re struggling?” Kieran asks, hurt lacing his voice.
“It’s not that, K. I get it. It’s always been just us. But do you tell me everything? Or are there things you keep just between you and Phoenix? Maybe even stuff you keep between you and Ryan? Like the years of fighting?”
“Okay, that was below the belt.”
Kieran used to fight underground, and it almost cost him his life. Did that stop him from jumping back into the ring? Of course not.
“Am I wrong, though?” I lift an eyebrow, challenge clear in my tone.
“No, you fucking know you aren’t.” He grumbles. He’s always in the shittiest mood when he doesn’t get his way.
“So it’s settled. Everyone’s going to act chill, and I’ll call you if I need you.”
Davis agrees, and Kieran sulks like the giant man child he is.I turn my focus back to the car when my phone starts ringing. Kieran picks it up and hands it out to me.
“It’s Mr. Fischer.”
Shit.
“Okay, love you guys, mean it. Now get out of here.” Turning my back, effectively dismissing them, I swipe to answer my phone before it rings out.
“Hello?” Grabbing a rag,,,,,,,,,, I wipe my hands as clean as I can.
“Byrne.” Her fathers no nonsense tone rings down the line. “How’s my daughter?”
“You’d know if you stopped being a stubborn ass and apologized to her.” My parents taught me to be respectful, but he hurt my girl’s feelings. So that shit is out the window.
“You don’t think I’ve tried that?” He roars.
“I know you haven’t because I talk to her constantly. We live together, Lukas. I’d know if you’d been by or sent her something. I actually know that you haven’t called because she cried on my chest last night because her Papa won’t stop being a stubborn mule and apologize.”
“I don’t need to apologize, because she took what I said the wrong way.” Holy shit, he’s just as stubborn as she is.
“You said you hope Rowan never knows what it’s like to have a Lelonie. Maybe not in those exact words, but that’s what you were saying. I know you love her, but you going ghost after making a statement like that hurts her. Call your daughter, Lukas.”
