Page 83 of Destroying Declan

Not my brother.

My cousin.

Patrick:Where are you?

Patrick:Kids are waiting.

Patrick: Game’s about to start.

Patrick:WTF?

Patrick:Why aren’t you answering?

Shit.

It’s 9AM on a Sunday.

I was supposed to be up hours ago.

Picking up kids in the company van.

Our standing order at Benny’s.

Feeding them and leading them through some pre-game drills. Clapping and coaching them through their game.

Another text comes through. Patrick again.

Patrick:Are you okay?

This isn’t like you.

He’s right. It’s not.

Every Sunday. Like clockwork.

I keep a schedule. A routine.

I have dozens of them.

Things I do. Places I go.

I’m not impulsive.

I don’t deviate.

I don’t give myself choices.

Because when I do, I make the wrong one.

Every. Single. Time.

Like buying Tess black lace lingerie.

Answering the door when she showed up last night.

Getting her naked.

Tongue fucking her.

---