Pieces of Summer (A stand-alone novel)(77)

“She was supposed to be with Mika here after her release, but she’s back in New York,” Aidan tells me, glaring at me. “You going to fly all the way to New York just to have her tell you in person she can’t tell you where Mika is? She wouldn’t tell me. She’s not going to tell—”

“I’m not going to New York for information on where she is. I’m going to get educated on how to be. Hunter said he had to see her before fitting into Mika’s life.”

Aidan turns around and grabs his phone, and he angrily jabs it into his pocket before snatching his keys.

“My sister signed over her f*cking bowling alley to you; she’s gone because she thinks she’s a burden to me; and you’re going to find out how to play house? She’s not going to be around to play house with if she’s tying up all loose ends, you stupid f*ck. I’m going to go find her and save her before she does something she can’t be saved from.”

He storms out and slams the door, and Hunter scrubs his face with his hands.

“He’s not giving her enough credit,” I tell Hunter, who stares at me like I’m stupid. “Mika isn’t tying up loose ends. She’s just cutting ties to everything. She’s isolating herself, but she’s still a fighter. I need to see Dr. Stein, because I need to give her a reason to come back.”

Hunter groans while pulling out his phone. “I agree that she’s not going to f*cking kill herself, but she could get hurt. Finding her should be our priority. Not you—”

“You search for her. Let me do this so that she has a reason to come back,” I tell him.

“She has a reason. She has two of them. Me and Aidan.”

“Yeah, but she feels like a burden to you. I’m your only chance at getting her back.”

His lips tense, but he makes the call.

I just hope I’m enough to bring her back.





Chapter 45


CHASE



“I can’t disclose any of my patient’s information,” Dr. Stein announces for the third time.

“And I don’t expect you to,” I say yet again. “I know all of Mika’s case details from Hunter and this.” I hold up the book I’ve read three times, and toss it down. Dr. Stein was able to work me in quickly, which Hunter said is a good sign, considering she isn’t taking on new patients.

“If you’re serious about doing this, it’s going to require a major lifestyle change,” Dr. Stein informs me as I look around at the plain, sterile room she calls an office. The couch I’m on is surprisingly comfortable, but it’s so white that it’s actually blinding.

I’ve never been to New York. I’ve sure as hell never been in a shrink’s office before.

“I’m serious about it,” I tell her, still looking around. Finally, my eyes come back to her. “And I’ve heard that numerous times, so I’m aware.”

She’s not as old as I anticipated, but she’s just as polished and professional as I imagined. Her hair is even in a pristine bun. She eyes the book before looking back at me.

“According to that book, the patient it refers to can handle seeing and hearing numbers after completion. Such as, she can know the total of something, as long as it’s definitely not going to change. She can name an amount of days or weeks that have passed. Her issue with numbers and time lies within the future (projected) numbers and future times.”

“I’m aware,” I state quietly.

“Fifteen minutes is another that patient can hear—she notes it as her driving restriction. She can’t be behind the wheel longer than that, but it doesn’t handicap her ability to be a passenger. There are no restrictions as long as you don’t list destination times. The number three is a constant ground rule. Never pass three. Four is dangerous.”

I nod, waiting on her to quit reciting the book I’ve read over and over.

“Can I be frank with you, Mr. James?” she asks while leaning forward.

I just stare, waiting on her to tell me I’m not meant for Mika or something. I’ve prepared for any and all objections.

“This thing between you and your girlfriend… Honestly, I don’t know if it’s something to hope to feel myself one day, or if it’s unhealthy to still feel this strongly after such a brief reunion.”

My lips twitch. “Just tell me how to make it work. I’ll worry about the rest.”

“It’s not going to be easy,” she tells me with a sigh, then lifts the book I brought in. “My biggest issue with the care given to the patient in this book isn’t the brutal, intense therapy that dangerously pushed the woman to her breaking point over and over. It’s the fact the therapy centered around detaching the patient from all emotions. While overwhelming emotions are dangerous for this patient, it goes against everything we stand for to condition someone to cut off anything that makes them feel anything at all.”

I nod, trying not to clench my jaw too tightly. That book was the most nauseating thing I’ve ever read. Mika had to have felt so alone, just like she’s probably feeling right now.

“I’m aware,” I finally say. “But she feels something when I’m with her. Whether she wants to or not.”

“I know. Trust me, I know. You’re either going to save her or destroy her. Remember that.”