Read Online Will & Patrick Fight Their Feelings (#4) by Leta Blake, Alice Griffiths - Free Book Online

William?”
    “That this is me, Mom. This is my choice. This is who I am.”
    “What about your sobriety? Are you willing to just toss that away?”
    “I’ve never been more committed to my sobriety.”
    “And how are you managing your diabetes? Have you even eaten today?”
    “This is not hypoglycemia talking. This is me. Your son. As for my diabetes, don’t worry about it. It’s handled.”
    “I’m your mother. It’s my prerogative to worry about you when you’re not acting like yourself and when so much is at stake.”
    Will grits his teeth. “You should trust me.”
    “Why on earth should I do that? After everything you did when you were younger? The risks you took? Between the drinking and sleeping with that boy—”
    “It was meaningless blow jobs between two closeted teens. That’s hardly—”
    “Meaningless! That’s what makes it risky, for heaven’s sake!”
    “Oh? Because every time you sleep with someone new you’re in love?”
    “Yes!” She puffs up with self-righteous indignation.
    He sits up straight, like he’s grown an extra spine, strengthening his resolve. He isn’t like his mother. He isn’t going to let some sick idea of love justify his choices—bad or good. “Well, that’s not a rule I’m going to live by anymore.”
    “This is exactly what I mean,” she whispers fiercely. “How can I trust your judgment when you say dangerous things like this? These are the words of a dry drunk. You’re acting out and you know it.”
    You’ll never be more than a dry drunk. Ryan used to say that too.
    “You trusted Ryan’s judgment and he was an alcoholic, too.”
    “He was recovered.”
    “No one’s ever recovered, Mom.”
    “He never had any slip ups. Not even one. Not like you. And he wasn’t diabetic.” She leans across the table again, jamming her index finger against the wood. “ He never ended up in the hospital in the throes of diabetic ketoacidosis because he passed out before taking his long acting insulin after going on a bender. I never almost lost him !”
    Will keeps his voice steely and calm. “Mom, that was a long time ago. Eight years to be exact.”
    “Only because Ryan kept you safe.” She blows a puff of air and jabs her finger at the table again. “Just one day away from him in Las Vegas and look at the outcome.” She’s shaking now. “Don’t you understand? You almost died.”
    “How could I forget? I was the one dying.”
    “I can’t lose you, Will. You’re my son.”
    He blows out a long, slow breath. “Mom, calm down. It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m sitting right here. And, look, I’m still not dead.”
    “William Patterson, don’t sass me.” Tears shimmer in her eyes. It’s hard not to reach out to comfort her.
    “I’m pointing out the truth. You claim Ryan protected me. But he didn’t. Think about it, Mom. All of those slips? Did you never wonder why?”
    “Because you’re an addict, baby, and that’s how—“
    “No! Well, yes. But Ryan could be cruel. There were times he might as well have taken me by the hand and led me to the bar.”
    “No. You’re rewriting history. You always said—”
    “I said what I wanted you to believe. But I’m telling you now: he hurt me. And you hurt me too, by always taking his side.”
    His mother gapes. “I don’t know what you’re—”
    “That’s right! You don’t know. You don’t know what our relationship was really like.”
    “I know what you told me and—”
    “No, just stop. If you want to know what really happened with me and Ryan maybe ask and listen instead of telling me how it was. Maybe you’d learn something about me for a change.”
    “I don’t know how to talk to you right now. He’s poisoning your mind against me.”
    “Who?”
    “That doctor .”
    Will scoffs, bitterness on his tongue. “No, Patrick’s helping me feel good about myself. He’s showing me that I’m fine just the way I am. He’s the first person to ever do that. When, honestly? It