Chapter 10

“Look, Reed. I’ve known you since we were both on tricycles. We grew up on the same street, our mother’s belonged to the same church and worked on the same committees, but you have always played your cards close to the vest. You never spoke about home. After you left school and your ma died, you never went back. I didn’t ask. You are my best friend, if you had wanted me to know, you would have told me. I didn’t press. But it’s time, Reed. Time to get whatever the fuck is festering inside you lanced and drained. I’ve watched you become a colder and more manipulative bastard as each year passed. It’s got to stop. You need help.” Bear made some room amongst the littered desk and set down his coffee cup.

“And if I promise to see someone?” Reed asked in a somewhat meeker, less cocky tone.

“Reed, you’ve been breaking promises since we were both grubby faced rug rats. Show me, show him. Go into therapy, get serious about changing your ways, then we can talk.