“My pops always said that what’s worth having the most are the things you fight for and the people you never give up on.”
He lifted his head, and I was overjoyed to see the light back in his eyes. “Don’t give up on me. I know I don’t make it easy. I hide so deep inside myself, I wind up in places I didn’t even know existed. The truth is, I was drowning, but no one saw me struggling because I wouldn’t let them. Except you.”
“I can’t give up on you. That would be like giving up on myself. If we’re together, I feel your pain. If someone hurts you, they hurt me too.”
“You were a lion when you went after Luca yesterday. It was hot.” Fully recovered now, he picked up his plate and started eating. “And these potatoes are delicious. I see you used my truffle oil. Good call.”
The man was a master deflector when he didn’t want to talk. And much as I loved him, I couldn’t help Frisco deal with the demons of his past. “Have you ever thought about talking to someone about what you’ve been through?”
He turned away, his face closing off. “I don’t need to. I’m fine.”
I quirked a brow. “Maybe you can pull that bullshit on Presley because he won’t face you down, but this is me.”
Frisco continued to eat his eggs while I glared at him, until with a sigh, he stopped. “What do you want from me?”
“All of you. Not just the fun Frisco. I love that man to pieces, but you’re so much more than that. You’re a wonderful, loyal friend—one who’s always willing to step in and help people.”
His mouth sagged into a frown. “I don’t think I could sit and tell someone the things that happened to me. That person is so far away from who I am now, it’s too late to make a difference.”
“But what if it can?” I insisted. “You made Presley go to a group, and look how it helped him and Nate both. Why don’t you try it?”
He pursed his lips. “I already told you I don’t need to do that.”
“What if I’m not, though? What if I need you to do it for me? For us?”
He sat with his head bowed while I waited.
