Page 54 of Broken

I’ll follow his lead. Phoenix doesn’t need me to baby him. He knows I’ve got his back, even if I have to hold my tongue about some of his decisions.

He slaps his hands together to get grass off and stands back up. “She’s my mom. I can’t turn my back on her. Lucky had this friend who went to a rehab place in Bethesda. Said it’s one of the best in the country.”

“Lucky knows about this?”

“Yeah.”

My brow lifts but I don’t say anything. Phoenix knows well enough how I feel about him and Lucky. I’m not sure how her help will affect their relationship down the line.

“It’s not cheap, but I have money put away.”

“Your savings?”

Shit I don’t like that. Phoenix wants to get himself a house, instead of renting an apartment. He’s been saving for years.

“I’m good to get her a two month stay without hurting my wallet. That’ll be enough. If it’s not… I guess I have to give up.”

“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.”

He doesn’t look as if he agrees. That is a problem for another day.

“I’ll need to take some time off to get things set up. She’s not gonna go quietly.”

“Whatever you need.”

“I’ll figure the bookings out with Lucky. Keep you posted.”

“You good?” I ask.

“Yeah, I will be. Thanks, bro.”

I nod with a grunt. Phoenix lets out a laugh.

“You coming to the festival?” he stomps over the grass back to his bike. After a moment of sheer agony over the question, I follow. “Lucky will cry if you don’t.”

It’s the Harbor Harvest Festival today and Lucky has roped all of us in to go this afternoon. She’s been talking about it for weeks, and made sure none of us had any appointments.

“The storeroom needs cleaning,” I grab my helmet, acting like I don’t care if Lucky gets upset.

A loud laugh bursts out of him. “Lighten up and just go with it. You’ve been extra asshole-ish lately. Anything you want to talk about, given we’re at the talking corner?”

“Why would I have anything to talk about?”

“You tell me.” He swings a leg over his bike.

“Yeah, no. I got nothing.”

“You’re a shit liar, Garrett.”

“I’m also not going to talk about it.”

“The double standards are fucking real here.”

“You need it. I don’t.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Phoenix starts up his bike. “Race ya.”

He takes off before I’m even on my bike. Childish prick. I’m still concerned, but this was worth it. He’s talked it out, he has a solution, no matter how short term. It’s his leaning on Lucky that has me worried.

---