Page 101 of Nathan
“It’s natural,” Liv said. “But thank God he’s dead and won’t be able to hurt anyone else.”
“And thank God you made sure that Joe Gomez couldn’t hurt any women either.” River rested her head on my shoulder and hooked her arm under my elbow. “You’re my hero.”
I didn’t feel like a hero. I felt like a weakling sitting on a couch with tears in my eyes and my family surrounding me for strength.
Maximum said, “I wish there was something more I could do to right my father’s wrong.”
“You’re already doing so much,” Liv pointed out. “For every child your father hurt, you’ve helped hundreds already.”
“It doesn’t feel like I’m anywhere close to making a difference.”
I rubbed my face and sighed. “It’s done. We watched the tape, and now I think we should destroy it.”
“You want to destroy the tape?” Charles asked.
“I want to destroy everything that relates to Conor O’Brien.”
They all went silent, and there were a few side glances toward the screens where Conor’s sons were watching.
“I’m not talking about Maximum and Atlas, of course,” I clarified.
Lumi got up from the couch and walked to the windows. “We need some fresh air.”
“Good idea, the air is heavy,” Liv agreed while Charles moved to the edge of his seat and leaned in my direction. “What do you wanna do now? Do you want us to leave you alone? If you’re hungry, we could all go out to eat, or we could order some pizzas.”
“I don’t have much appetite, but I’m thirsty.”
Lumi opened a window and let in fresh air and noise from the street below us. “How about I ask Damian to come by with takeout and some beers? He wanted to come, but I told him we were already cramming your space and that you’d asked for it to be family only.”
I twisted my neck to see Lumi, who was behind me. “Damianisfamily. I thought he was working.”
“I’ll call him then.” Lumi squeezed my shoulder as she passed the couch and went into my kitchen.
“I wish you guys could be here,” I told Maximum and Atlas, who were watching me from the screens placed in raised positions on the sofa table in front of me. A female hand on Atlas’ thigh revealed that Jolene was next to him. “Hi, Jolene.”
Atlas moved the camera enough that his fiancée came into view.
Jolene’s eyebrows were drawn inward, and she looked devastated. “You don’t know how much I want to hug you right now.”
I managed a sad smile.
“No one should go through something like this, Nathan. I know you’re probably overwhelmed right now, but in a few days, I think it would be good for you to talk it through with a professional.”
Liv moved over to sit next to me, where Lumi had been before. “I agree. Do you still see Declan?”
“I haven’t seen him for months.”
“Then call him and set up an appointment.”
“I’m fine.”
“Of course you’re not fine!” Liv insisted with a frown. “We all need therapy after watching this! Declan knows your backstory, and he’ll help you. With the pressure you’ve been under these past weeks, I’m surprised you haven’t been to see him.”
In my heart, I knew Liv and Jolene were right, so I gave a small nod to indicate that I would book an appointment.
Lumi came back into the room. “Damian wants to know what you people want on your pizzas.”
“Vegetarian for me,” River called out.
