Page 71 of The Chase

I clenched my teeth as I reread his text message.

I told TJ last night I would really think about talking to someone this time, but that didn’t mean he needed to get Benny involved.

Keiana walked into the kitchen and saw the annoyed look on my face. She froze in her tracks. “What’s wrong?”

I sighed. “TJ wants me to go talk to someone.”

She waved her hand to make me elaborate.

“About my night terrors,” I said.

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh. Wow. Maxine, I’ve been telling you should have done that years ago.”

“I don’t want to unearth everything about my parents and Charlie. It’s in the past.”

She hugged me. “Aw, honey. I know. But you should have gone right after it happened. I know this is hard for you, but it’s scary when you get like that.”

I chewed my bottom lip. “It really upset him.”

“Yeah?”

“I tried to break up with him last night.”

“Why?”

I sighed. “He doesn’t deserve to put up with me.”

Keiana narrowed her eyes. “Did he say those things?”

“No. And then…” I trailed off.

She nudged me. “Then what?”

“He told me he loved me. I was trying to break up with him, but he told me he loved me and was worried about me.”

She slapped my arm. “Max! Don’t let that man go.”

“I don’t want to bring him down with all my baggage.”

She gave me a hard look. It was the look she gave me when I was being purposefully obtuse.

“He obviously cares about you, and all this stuff you hold inside is really scaring him. I know you don’t like talking about the accident, but you need to.” She went over into the junk drawer and searched for a bit before she pulled out a business card and handed it to me. “You know I work in the medical field, right? I know people.”

I pocketed the card but didn’t make the call. I wasn’t ready for that yet. I didn’t want to go to therapy at all. Keiana had been on me to go for years, but now that TJ was urging me to do it too, I felt like I was getting it at all angles.

“Max, it would really help you,” Keiana said.

I chewed on my lip. “I’m scared.”

She gave me another hug. “I know. But if TJ sees how much you need the help too, maybe it’s time.”

I blew out a breath, and Keiana gave my arm a little squeeze. She walked out into the living room, letting the conversation drop.

I thought about what Keiana and TJ said while I put the lasagna in the oven. I tried to shake my thoughts away, but they dug inside my heart, telling me to listen to them. They both wanted what was best for me. Maybe I should consider it.

I went into the living room to join Keiana. “You off tonight?” I asked.

She nodded. “I’ve got a date.”