Page 10 of Chaotic Curse
“I don’t need any help.”He tries to wriggle from my grip.
But I hold him down, my heart pounding.“You’re wrong.You need help.You need help, and I’m going to make sure you get it.”
“Or what?You’re going to drag me to rehab?That place is a fucking joke.”
“Yeah, because doing what you’re doing is so much better, right?”My tone is bitter.“You know where this will get you, E?In an early grave.And I’ll be damned if I let you destroy yourself without a fight.”
“It’s not your call.”
“The hell it’s not.What the fuck do you think this will do to Mom?One of her sons is already doing time for you.Raven is battling leukemia.What the hell will happen if you die, Eagle?What do you thinkthatwill do to her?”
“I don’t care.I don’t care about any of you.”
I pull him off the couch, make him stand before me.
And then I give him a right hook.
“Motherfucker,” he mutters, rubbing his jaw.
“Damned right.”Then I toss him over my shoulder.“You may not care about any of us, but we care about you.And I won’t let you destroy yourself.”
Eagle is big and muscular, but not as big and muscular as I am, and with my adrenaline pumping, he’s light as a fucking feather.
“We’re going to rehab,” I say, “and I swear to God, this is the last time I keep your secret.You do this again?The whole damned family’s going to know.”
* * *
Present Day…
At the time, I meant those words in my heart and my soul.
I was tired of watching my little brother self-destruct.I was tired of him always going back to drugs.
Now?
I would take it all back if I could.
I’ll take back every bad word I’ve ever said to my brother if only he’ll live.
Please God, let him live.
Why the hell didn’t I pick up my phone?Answer the door?
I was too damned engrossed in Daniela.
She’s only eighteen years old, for God’s sake.What the hell am I doing?My brother could die…all because I wanted a woman more than I wanted to take care of him.
“I’m so sorry,” I say to Eagle.“I’m so sorry I didn’t answer the phone.I’m so sorry I didn’t take care of you.”I squeeze his lifeless arm.“I need you to fight.I need you to fight as hard as you’ve ever fought.Be stronger than you’ve ever been before.You’ll get through this, damn it.Youhaveto get through this.”
Then the soft sound of the door opening.
A nurse.“I just need to take his vitals,” she says.
“Can I speak to a doctor?”I ask, my voice cracking.
“Dr.Flynn is your brother’s attending,” she says.“She was here this morning, and she’ll be back this evening on rounds.I can leave a message for her if you’d like.I believe she’s still in the hospital.”
“Yes.”I clear my throat.“I’d like to speak to her, please.”
