Page 92 of Hunter

I nod, throat tight. “I’d like that, too. Eventually.”

He gives me one last long look, like he’s memorizing me, then turns and heads toward the door.

I watch him go, heart full and aching at the same time.

The night continues around me, but just seeing him has made something inside of me feel lighter, and I know I’ll be reaching out to him soon.

Chapter 37

Hunter

Dr. Middleton closes the folder on his desk and leans back in his chair, looking at me with that steady, unflinching gaze I’ve come to respect.

“You’re cleared, Hunter.”

I sit up straighter, not sure I heard him right. “Cleared?”

He nods. “You’ve done the work. Consistently. AA attendance is solid. You’ve been honest in here, even when it was ugly. Your sleep is better. The guilt around Robby’s death has shifted from self-blame to acceptance of what actually happened. You’re in a stable enough mental state to return to active duty. I’ll send the recommendation to the judge and your department today.”

I let out a slow breath, hands gripping my knees. “I… didn’t think I’d get here this fast.”

“You did the work,” he says simply.

For a moment, I just sit there, the reality sinking in. I can go back. I can put the uniform on again. I can be useful. The thought feels good.

But there’s a quiet ache underneath it.

Dr. Middleton studies me. “You’re thinking about Charlie.”

I don’t bother denying it. “We haven’t spoken since the gallery opening. Three weeks. I’ve respected the space, but…it still feels unfinished.”

He nods, not surprised. “You’ve made progress on the possessiveness and the fear of abandonment. But love doesn’t disappear just because you’re doing better. It’s okay to still feel it. The question is whether you’re healthy enough to carry it without letting it control you.”

I think about that for a long moment.

“I want to call him,” I say finally. “Maybe tell him I am cleared to go back to work.”

Dr. Middleton gives me a small, approving nod. “That sounds like a healthy step. But if he’s moved on, how will that impact you?”

I let out a slow breath.

“They do say if you love someone, let them go. And I did that. Maybe this is the part where he can come back… or maybe he won’t. Either way, I need to be okay with whatever happens.”

Dr. Middleton studies me for a moment, then gives a single, firm nod.

“That’s a good answer. Just don’t tie your sobriety or your worth to his response.”

“I won’t.”

The rest of the session goes by in a blur of practical talk. When the hour is up, I feel drained but clear.

He shakes my hand at the door. “You’re doing good work,” he says. “Keep it up. I’ll see you next week.”

I leave his office feeling like the old me. The guy I used to be before things went toxic with Robby. Although, slightly different, too. I guess it would be hard to go back to that guy completely, and I wouldn’t want to.

I stop at the corner near the park, pull out my phone, and find Charlie’s name in my contacts. My thumb hovers over his name for a long time.

Then I hit call.