Doctor Lisbon laughs. “Fair enough. But there must be a reason for her to push you to be here. So, let’s start over. Why are you here, Mr. Romero?”
Her question burns like a hot poker stabbed into my chest.
Fuck it. The sooner I say it, the sooner the negative emotions festering inside me will go away.
“Because I’m angry.” I clench my fists in my lap.
“Why are you angry?”
My palms sweat, and my heart beats in my throat. I push through the uncomfortable feeling and answer the question. “Because my deadbeat of a father left my mother when she was pregnant and I was five years old. He left us and started a new family, and I’m angry as fuck. I’m angry at him for staying with them but not with us. I hate that, because of him, I push everyone but family away. I hate taking my anger out on people who don’t deserve it.”
My chest is heaving as I gasp for air after spewing my deepest insecurities and feelings. All of which I channeled into anger that has simmered inside me for too long.
“Can you give me an example?”
The tacos I ate for lunch churn in my stomach, ready to make a reappearance. I clear my throat. I take a deep breath, hating what I’m about to confess, even though I know this is the only way I can get over all this shit and move on.
Be happy.
“Sure. I took out my anger on a teammate who didn’t deserve it because he’s close with his father. Because his father showed up. Now, the same man is marrying my little sister, and I don’t want to be angry with him anymore. My anger has tainted my mother’s opinion of my sister’s fiancé, and it’s hurting her. I don’t want to hurt my sister.”
The sound of my pulse roars in my ears.
“I have to say I’m surprised by your honesty.” Doctor Lisbon taps her pen to her notebook.
“Me too,” I grumble, rubbing at the building ache in my temples.
The doctor chuckles again. “This is a great start, Mr. Romero.”
“Nico. Please call me Nico.”
“Nico it is. This is a great place to start.” Doctor Lisbon explains how CBT will give me the tools to reframe my thought process. “This won’t be easy, but in time, you will heal. You will release theanger. You have a busy schedule, so on days when you can’t be here, we will have video sessions. Does that work for you?”
Nois my gut reaction, but I’ve made it this far. I’m tired of being angry all the time. Time to move the hell on.
“Yes.”
“Hey, Roberto.” I greet my doorman as I walk into my apartment building.
He grins behind his bushy, white mustache and beard, and claps his meaty hands. “Well, hot damn. It’s my favorite catcher. How you doing, Nico?”
Roberto has been calling me his favorite catcher since I moved into the penthouse.
“I’m good. Getting ready for spring training.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Hope you and the boys can bring home another trophy this season.” Roberto is a lifelong Evaders fan. He used to give me hell when I was with the Saints.
“We’re working on it.” My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I reach for it. My sister’s name flashes across the screen. “I have to take this. See you later, Roberto.”
“Before I forget. Mr. Fischer has movers taking the last of his furniture out of the apartment. They should be done soon, but it might be a little loud.”
Thanks to my overprotective mother, Roberto is familiar with my migraine problems. Loud sounds and bright lights can be triggers.
“I appreciate the heads-up.” I answer my sister’s call as I step into the elevator, swipe my keycard, and press the PH button. “Hey, Lia.”
“Nic!” I pull my phone away from my ear. She’s way too happy. “I’m so glad you answered. How was your first session? Tell me everything.”
Did I mention I also have an overprotective sister?
