"Rylan?"
Jamie'svoice is concerned. When I open my eyes, he's watching me with an intensity that makes my stomach drop. He knows toomuch—becauseI told him toomuch—about Nick, about Dad.About me.One night of weakness and now I can't hide anymore.
"I need to make some calls."I grab my laptop bag."I'll be in thebusinesscenter."
"Rylan."His tone stops me at the door."You don't have to do this by yourself. I canhelpyou."
My throat tightens, and Ialmostturn back.Almostletmyself indulge in the overwhelming sense of relief I felt that one night when I was able toletgo. When I allowed Jamie tohelpme carry my heavy burdens for a little while.
My phone buzzes again.
I shake my head."I—I gotta go."
Thebusinesscenteris mercifully empty. I choose the computer furthest from the door, my mechanical movements buying me time to think and plan. To try to wrench back some control.
My phone buzzes. And buzzes. And buzzes.
Wally: Tried watering down his drinks but he noticed.
I rest my forehead against the cool wood of the desk.Think.
I pull up my email, clicking through to my contact list.Lou'sdad,Paul, is normally who I would call when my father goes on a bender like this, butPauland Jenny Tremblay, moved to Palm Springs earlier this year. Theywantedto be closer to their daughter,Lou'ssister, Caley.Paulfelt terrible when hetoldme about their decision to relocate, but Jesus, it's not like mydad'sdrinkingshouldbe their problem. They've saved my ass, and probably mydad'slife, more times than I can count over the years.
I knew Ishouldhave put some kind of emergency plan in place for this, but I stuck my fucking head in the sand. Iwantedto believeDadwhen hetoldme he was cutting back. So I let it go. And now that he's fallen off the wagon, I don't know who I'm going to call for help.
My fingers hover over the keyboard. Maybe I couldtrycallingDad.Tryto talk him down. But the thought of hearing his voice, slurred, angry, and full of grief makes my chest squeeze tight.
There's a soft knock at the door, and I know it'sJamiebeforeI look up.
He's standing in the doorway of the business center, holding two cups of tea from the lobby coffee shop. His simple act of kindness hits me right in the gut.
"I heard you tell Louis that you've been drinking chamomile when you're stressed..."He trails off, setting one cup beside my keyboard."I can go."
"Jamie."His name slips outbeforeI canstopit. He pauses, those blue eyes searching my face. Ishouldsend him away so I cankeepmy distance.Keepour relationship strictly professional: neat and clean and controlled.
Myphonelights up, and this time it's a call from Wally.
Jamie's expression shifts."Want privacy?"
Ishouldsay yes. Instead, I reach out and grab his wrist, my fingers curling around his warm skinbeforeI canstopmyself.
He pulls up the chair next tomine, close enough that his shoulder presses againstmine."I'm here. Whatever you need."
I answer thephone, and for the first time tonight, my handsstopshaking.
"I'm so sorry, Rylan."Wally's gravellyvoiceis full of sorrow."I tried to cut him off, but he started throwing things, and I had to call the cops. I had no choice."
"You did the right thing."My Captain'svoicecomes out steady."Is Constable Mitchell there?"
A rustling sound, then:"Hey, kid."Dave Mitchell's familiar drawl. He coached my peewee team a lifetime ago. He was also one of the officers who came to our door the night Nickdied."Your dad's safe. We've got him in the cruiser. Karen's bringing him some coffee."
Jamie's shoulder presses into mine.
"Does he need to go to the drunk tank?"I ask. It's the same dance we've been doing since Momdied. Because everyone in town knows mydad, and he's not dangerous when he drinks, we can often avoid the overnight stay in the local RCMP detachment, but some nights there's no choice.
"Actually, Rylan… Yourdadtook a bit of a fall right before we got here. Knocked his headprettygood on the bar. I think he's fine, but I want to take him over to the clinic to get him checked out, just to be on the safe side."
The room tilts slightly, and I close my eyes so I don't tip over. Jamie's big arm wraps around my shoulders.
