Page 34 of At The End Of The Day

“Yeah, yeah, I’m safe.”

“Please don’t be upset with me for asking this, but due to the way we parted, and what was going on and the promises you made, I have to ask. Are you high?”

I bristled and Vincent sneered with disgust, taking a long drag and exhaling through his nose.

He coughed and pulled at his nape, shrinking a little more. “No, no. I swear to you, ain’t touched nothing in almost a month now.”

Vincent snorted and shook his head.

“Your drug counselor said you only showed up to two therapy sessions.”

Ashamed, he shrunk inwardly and pulled at his nape. “I know, but I swear I’m okay. I haven’t even had the urge in weeks.” He lifted his chin and stared him straight in the eyes, speaking to him, as well. “You have my word, those days are over. I have too much to look forward to now.”

His brow lifted, the cherry glowing bright red with another inhale.

“I mean.” Roman’s tone was calmer now, as well. “He does sound better than he has in over a year.”

“You drinking?”

“Nope. Don’t wanna touch that, either.”

“Are we allowed to ask what caused this sudden change that you can clean up without rehab?”

“You can, but for now, I can’t give any answers. You just gotta trust me, guys.” He strolled past us to the window to look out at the back of the property.

I cringed, spotting the cracked pane. Hopefully he didn’t notice. Even if he did, he was a fast learner and knew better than to ask. Right?

“Tyler, son, this doesn’t sit well with me. You refuse to come home with us, you promise to get treatment for your addictions, and then you just completely disappear on us. This isn’t like you.”

“It wasn’t intentional, Uncle John. I promise, I didn’t just shut you guys out. I’ve been very preoccupied the last couple weeks.”

“Doing what?” the other shouted. “What is so important you would forget to check in, like you promised?”

Beaming ear to ear, he whispered, “Letta,” breathlessly.

“Who?”

“No, shit,” John muttered.

“Wait, who is Letta?”

“Letta is his high school sweetheart. He was madly in love with her, but things didn’t work out.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Is she the one all his songs are about? The girl he can’t get over?”

“Yeah, that’s her.”

“Oh, wow. So, wait. Are you two back together?”

Turning around, grinning foolishly, he startled as if he’d forgotten we were there. Checking his emotions, he coughed. “Uh, well, it’s complicated, but we’re trying to work things out.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Look, son, I know this is, literally, the one and only thing you’ve wanted since you were eighteen, but you couldn’t have picked up a phone and let us know what was happening? What phone are you calling from, by the way? It just came up as unknown, didn’t give a number.”

“Listen, guys. I can’t get into too many details right now, but trust me. I am safe, I am sober, and I have never been happier.”

“Why can’t you give us more details? This makes no sense,” Roman whined.

John’s voice was slightly muffled when he answered. “I think she’s married with kids. It’s kinda touchy.”