Page 62 of My Brother's Enemy
Tyler: I miss you. I love you and Zoey. I just want what’s best for her.
Tyler: I’m learning that maybe therapy isn’t such a bad thing.
Tyler: Can you let me know what you decided?
Tyler: Do you need anything from me?
Tyler: I came here for you and Zoey.
Tyler: What the hell, Ski?
Tyler: We’re not fourteen anymore.
That last text had been a threat. If she didn’t respond, I was going to start looking for them. I hadn’t sent it, but it was still there in the drafts.
I sighed. “She’s upset because the hospital wanted Zoey to go somewhere for treatment because of her overdose. I agreed with them, but I told her she could try to find a compromise program where she’d still be able to see Zoey. She hung up on me.”
“Huh.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask for the update.”
“Well, she was really worked up about a text you sent her. Something about if it happened again and Zoey couldn’t be found, it’d be her fault.”
“What?” That came out strangled.
“Her words, brother. Look, I know you didn’t mean it that way, but that’s how she took it. When’s the last time you guys talked?”
“Too long.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
I suddenly felt the world on my shoulders again. “I’ve been busy, but they’re the reason I came out here. I’ll go around to her place, and if she’s not there, I’ll try tracking her down. I shouldn’t have left it this long. If anything, I need to check in with Zoey and see how she’s faring. I don’t think Skylar gave Zoey her phone back. She mentioned she was going to keep it, see if that would help her.”
Suddenly antsy, I pulled out of the parking lot and returned to the road.
“Sky said she was staying with a friend,” Nolan noted after a moment.
“And Zoey?”
“She won’t answer my questions when I ask about Zoey. I haven’t pushed because I’m scared she’ll stop talking to me.”
“I know. You don’t have to be the bad guy.”
“Listen, we play you guys next week, so I’m in town for a night, at least. I can help. If you want to be bad cop and I’m good cop, I’ll do it. An intervention? Whatever you need. If Zoey is getting help, I think something needs to be done for Skylar too. The stress, her TBI—I don’t think she’s handling any of this very well. After some of her messages, I’m concerned. I’m sorry to call you about this.”
“No. You’re family, Nolan. I’m glad she called you, and I appreciate all you’ve done. I’ve been slacking on my end. I’m sorry you were put in this position. I should’ve been more on top of this.”
He sighed. “It’s not on you. I’ve been beside you when Sky’s cut you off. I know how it goes. I’ve got two sisters of my own.”
I grinned. “Yeah, but both your sisters mother you. You’d be the one to cut them off.”
He barked out a laugh. “As if they’d let me. They’d drive down and threaten to take my balls if I pulled that on them.” He quieted. “It’s different with your situation. You know that.”
“Did she say what friend she was staying with?”
“No. She knew I’d tell you.”
