“Do we really have to have this conversation, White?”
“Yeah.”
“With me?”
He crossed his long legs and started eating while standing up.
“Who else? You’re the only person I know who genuinely cares about him.”
“How would you consider yourself, pray tell?”
“I care about him.”
He raised an eyebrow at my answer. “Should I believe you? Does Will really like you?”
He came closer to me, and, yes, his lips were seductive even when he was chewing.
“Technically, that’s none of your business. But, yeah, of course.”
James looked down his nose at me for a few seconds. His eyes narrowed; he didn’t trust me.
“Shoving happy pills down his throat isn’t the only solution. He’s a zombie for months. Do you want to see your best friend that way?”
“No, but if it makes him better—” I started.
“Then when he thinks he’s cured, he starts thinking he’s better, and then all of the sudden he stops taking them and becomes aggressive.”
“Look who’s talking!” I exclaimed, almost annoyed.
“You don’t get it. You’re a child.”
“And you’re a selfish asshole. Why don’t you admit it? You don’t want him to take the medication because you want him to be your playmate!”
I’d just yelled at him, but my rage didn’t last long. James responded by hitting back even harder.
“Because I’ve seen what those drugs do. They can make you even more dependent on them,” he snapped, before gritting his teeth. I saw a dimple appear and disappear intermittently on his cheek.
“I mean, medication alone won’t cure him. He needs other cures,” he explained, then turned toward the fridge.
“You’re talking about your mom, aren’t you?”
He grasped the steel handle so hard that his knuckles turned white.
“None of your fucking business. We’re talking about Will. My life doesn’t concern you.”
I knew James had a weak spot for his brother, so I went for it.
“I feel bad for Jasper. Don’t you think he misses you when you’re always here instead of being at home with him?”
“Will doesn’t have anybody else these days.” He justified his actions, grabbing a bottle from the fridge.
“He has me.”
He chugged the entire beer in one gulp, glaring at me.
“I don’t know if I trust you, White.”
“Fine, but if there’s something I can do for Will . . .”
