Page 70 of Of Flesh & Bone

Chapter 22

Eve

"There you are, Butterfly."

Just as usual, Nathan is already on the call when I open it.His smile is familiar and warm.

"Hey Nathan.Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice."

Nathan gives me a curious look."You know you don't have to thank me for that.It's you and me in this together."

I smile at his sentiment.Sometimes, he seems like more of a big brother than my psychologist.He's always been there for me.

I explain in detail everything that happened last night, starting with Adam coming into the bedroom and telling me that he was going to introduce me to everyone.I leave out some of the more colorful language that I used with Adam, but I finish by telling him how I woke up this morning and the things that Adam had said to me.

Nathan's face is ashen.He stares back at me without saying a word.I don't know how to decipher this look and I'm not sure what to say, so I just sit quietly and wait for him to respond.After what feels like an hour but, in reality, is less than four minutes, He speaks."You told me Adam was just your friend."

His tone is laced with accusation, and I'm taken aback that my relationship with Adam is his focus.I thought he would have some serious thoughts about me trying to stab someone.

"I have told you for years now that crowds are your trigger.Why would you put yourself in this situation?"Again, his tone is accusing.

"I didn't.I don't.I didn't want to go down there.Adam carried me literally kicking and screaming."

"This guy isn't good for you, Eve.You need to distance yourself from this relationship.He doesn't understand you and he clearly has no idea how to deal with your mental health issues."

Nathan never calls me Eve.I know he's angry, but I can't figure out why.He still hasn't even mentioned the fact that I almost stabbed a man.

"I really don't think that Adam is the issue here.I think the problem is that I tried to stab someone, and I don't even remember doing it?"My tone is as level as I can manage, but my mind is spinning.What is happening here?I don't understand his reaction and I'm not sure how to respond to his accusations.

"I'm not sure that you did try to stab anyone.Actually, I'm almost certain that you didn't.How well do you know any of these men?You already told me that you just recently met Adam.How many people in this room packed with football players even saw what happened apart from Adam and his two best friends?"

Now, it's my turn to be silent.I hadn't expected this and he's right.No one else saw what happened.Is he right?Did I actually try to stab that guy?Or is this an attempt to control me?Wait, no.Adam wouldn't do that.Cotton and Cal wouldn't do that.I just know they wouldn't.I don't know how I know, but I know.Adam is possessive and he is controlling, but he isn't a liar.He isn't manipulating me.Besides, I have a huge gap in my memory.Nothing else can explain the chunk of time that I'm missing.

"No one else saw.Cotton made sure of it and then Adam took me to our room and-"

His response is furious and cuts me off as I attempt to defend these people that I've come to care about."Our room?Since when do you and this guy share a room together?You don't even know this man.Eve, I thought you knew better than this.I thought I could trust you."

What in the actual fuck is going on here?Trust me?In what way have I betrayed his trust?He doesn't know these men like I do.His concerns are misplaced.Adam is not the problem.Cal and Cotton are not the problem.Me not being able to maintain a connection with reality and attempting a violent assault against another person is the problem.

"I'm sorry that you feel this way Nathan, but I have not betrayed you and you are wrong about Adam.You're wrong about all of them.They're good people.They care about me.I believe what they've told me.I truly don't remember the entire day or night after about 2:00 pm.Shouldn't that be your main concern here?"

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