Gifted Connections 2

“She had to change you when you were admitted,” he explained quietly.

I stiffened and looked over at Will. “I’m ready to talk, can you kindly send the therapist away?”

I shuddered at the memories I had of the therapist I was forced to see when I was institutionalized at 10 years-old. I was caught talking to Jaxson after my father died and they tried to diagnose me with a split personality disorder believed to be triggered by the death of my father.

“With your history of mental disorders, I strongly suggest they talk to her,” Stacey said coldly as she crossed her arms across her chest and haughtily turned to Will. “I did a search on our databases and found out Blake Thomas was admitted to a hospital over seven years ago and diagnosed with possibly having schizophrenia.” her red-haired pony tail nearly smacked her in the face as she turned to look at me. “Does Collin even know that you’re psycho?”

“My father had just died,” I sat up in anger, ignoring the shooting pain in my limbs and body. “My stepmother hated me and thought if she told the hospital she saw me talking to nobody, they would put me away, while she continued to collect the money from my father’s trust.” I lied with an ease—that surprised even me. “Have you ever given your dolls voices? Did you have them talk to one another? Did you give them different voices?”

“Stacey,” Noah snapped, his jaw clenching in anger. “She is a patient and she is recovering.”

Will stood up and brushed a hand over his pristine suit. “I’m going to call the therapist right now.” He stopped by Stacey and gave her a pointed look. “In the future I would appreciate it if you go through the proper procedures. You only volunteer your hours here until you graduate, and we offer you a position. Was a supervisor notified of your decision to call for the therapist?”

She gave him a sheepish expression and turned looked down shaking her head. “No. I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

Will left the room and headed down the hallway.

I could see Stacey was just as shocked at my revelations and embarrassed by her actions until she turned her gaze on Noah. “Where were you last night, while she was upstairs in your room taking a shower?” she asked coldly.

I could see the war behind his eyes, before he clenched his jaw. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. We broke up. I felt we were mature enough to continue as friends since we will continue seeing each other in passing.”

“Just as I thought,” Stacey said bitingly as tears shimmered in her eyes. She let out a cold laugh. “Tamara and Bridgette said you disappeared for quite some time and both of you came down with wet hair. How convenient for you to be defending her, when you screwed the slut. She’s the reason you broke up with me!”

“Stacey!” he snapped with a deadly quietness. “I will not discuss this with you. It is highly unprofessional of you to even attack a patient verbally or discuss a relationship that is over. You’re spying on me, and I thought you were better than that.”

It was Stacey’s turn to open and close her mouth before she turned on her heel and stormed out, but not before I saw her remove a cell phone from her scrubs.

Noah looked over at me. I felt both embarrassed at the unexpected turn of events and warmth because it was clear he wasn’t straddling t

he fence any longer.

When Will returned, he had kicked Noah out of the room and had taken a seat beside my bed. He had tried to kick Gavin out as well, but I had told him I wasn’t talking without Gavin by my side. I knew some of my story would be hard to believe and he was my witness.

“Were you institutionalized at ten years old for playing make believe?” Will asked me bluntly.

I knew I couldn’t lie to him now. I wanted to lay all my cards out on the table. “No,” I looked over at Gavin, wishing I had told him this before. He knew about my connection with Jaxson, but I never told him I was institutionalized because of it. “I was put into the looney bin when my stepmom and my dad’s boss found me…talking to another gifted individual after the funeral.”

Will’s eyes furrowed in scrutiny. “Another gifted you say?”

“One of the guys I’m connected with,” I informed him bluntly. “It was the first time he came to me, and at the time, I didn’t know how to communicate with him without words.

His eyebrows rose once more. “You know who you are connected to, and you knew that at ten?”

I couldn’t suppress my giggle. “I didn’t know then, but I know now.”

“Collin?” William enquired. I shook my head, no, and he continued. “You know, when you were younger, we suspected you were capable of compelling people, but it seems you have learned to expand your gift. You have more than one connected?” He asked as he looked over enquiringly at Gavin.

Gavin gave a quick to shake his head.

I think Will expected me to be shocked, but I was incapable of even feigning it. I was tired, and I knew I was prepared to let him know it all. “Collin isn’t one of them. Gavin isn’t one of them, either. I have six of them.”

It was Wills turn to snort at me in disbelief. I opened my eyes wide. I had never heard him snort. “That’s highly unlikely. Is that something your…dad had you believe?”

He was starting to irritate me. I knew what I was saying sounded unbelievable, but I had no reason to lie. “Nope, my uncle never knew of my connections.”

He barely suppressed an eye roll. “Where are these other connections of yours?”

I sighed, tired of playing this game. “I’m not sure. I imagine Jaxson is preparing for his championship game. Drake most likely is finishing dinner. Jace was on an assignment,” I scrunched my nose up. “Well, he was the last time I had to live through this day. Troy should be on his way home to watch his younger brother play his last game in high school, and win, by the way. Noah was just here, so…,” I couldn’t help the sadness from coloring my words. I shook them off. “And Remy is probably wrapping things up for the day at We 7 so he can attend the game as well.”