Page 29 of Four for a Boy

Their relationship was anything but healthy.

He took a deep breath. “I just want—”

The door flew open, smashing into the wall.

Chad got to his feet, alarmed by the intruder, a man with disheveled clothes, and messy hair, then Chad froze, ridged as the man ploughed into Keeley’s desk.

The man reached for her, but Keeley grabbed his hands and repeatedly told him to calm down. Chad just watched, unable to unlock himself from his paralysis. His heart boomed in his chest, and some counterproductive instinct made him hold his breath.

The receptionist and someone else arrived on the scene, but their words were garbled and confusing in Chad’s stunned brain.

The intruder sobbed as he was led away.

Keeley glanced at Chad, then looked again. “Breathe, Chad.” She skirted around the desk and grabbed onto his shoulder. “Stop holding your breath.”

He gasped for air, dizzy as he dropped back down on the couch.

“Easy now. It’s okay. He’s another of my clients.”

“He tried to attack you.”

“No,” Keeley massaged Chad’s shoulder. “He came in unannounced, startled us, but he wasn’t going to hurt me … or you.”

Chad surged to his feet, dislodging Keeley’s hand. “Have the police been called?”

“There’s no need.”

“There’s every need. He attacked you!”

“He didn’t, and I’m fine, Chad, and you are, too. Why don’t you sit down—”

“I don’t want to sit down!”

“Okay,” Keeley backed off with her hands raised. “Take deep breaths for me.”

Chad ignored her concern. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, look at me, I’m fine. I’m okay. I promise.” Keeley sat down behind her desk and shot him a reassuring smile. She didn’t look frightened, or unsettled. She looked like her calm self, folding her hands in her lap as she watched him.

Chad lifted his hand and stared as it shook. His breathing continued in a raspy manner until he swallowed a few times. It evened out, and his heart slowed, but the shame that followed settled like a lead weight in his stomach.

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I should’ve done something. I should have protected you, but instead, I did nothing. What kind of person does that? What kind of person freezes when someone else is in trouble?”

“Sit down, Chad.”

“I don’t want to sit down.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Chad flicked his eyes over to the door. “I want to run, but I can’t, that’ll make me a coward, but I couldn’t fight either, so what am I supposed to do?”

“First of all. Running doesn’t make you a coward, and fighting doesn’t mean you’re brave. You got a shock, as did I, and you reacted—”

“I froze—”

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