All the Way (Romancing Manhattan 1)

“Thanks.” I grin as my phone rings, and I yank it out of my bag, hoping it’s Finn.

But it’s not.

“Unknown caller,” I murmur, and hit the green button. “Hello?”

“Hey London Bridge,” Kyle says, his voice happy and, dare I say, sober.

“Hi, Kyle.”

“How are you?” he asks, and I frown, staring at Sasha. She asks who it is and I mouth Kyle.

“I’m good. You just caught me. I’m in between dance classes.”

“You’re dancing again? That’s great. You must be feeling better.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it in confusion and then say, “I am feeling better, thanks.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that.” He sniffs loudly, which tips me off to the fact that he’s probably not sober, but doing his best to sound like it. “I have some good news too.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“I’m going to rehab,” he says, and I just sit on the floor, pull my knees up to my chest, and hang my head in my hand.

I’ve heard this a thousand times.

“Really? Where are you going?”

“At a place in North Carolina,” he says. “Right on the beach, so I’ll have a good view while I’m hating life.”

“A good view is nice. So, did you get the trust to approve it?”

He’s quiet for a moment, and I know I’ve said the wrong thing.

“Of course I did,” he says, his voice harder now. “Do you think I can afford rehab on my own?”

“No, that’s why I asked.”

“I don’t understand,” he says, tears in his voice now, and I just roll my eyes. “I just don’t understand why you always think the worst of me. Of course I got it approved by the trust. Are you worried that I’m going to cut into your money?”

“Good God, Kyle. Of course not, that’s your money. It was just a question.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, sniffling more. “I know you just have questions. Yeah, I would have questions too.”

Sasha taps on her wrist, signaling that the next class is going to start soon, and I nod.

“I’m really glad that you’re getting help. I hope that it’s successful.”

“It will be,” he says confidently. “I promise. I’m not going to let you down this time. I’m all you have, and I’m going to be here for you.”

Right.

“I hope so, Kyle. Keep me posted on your progress, will you?”

“Do you really want me to?”

“Of course.” I stand and reach for my stuff. “But I have to go to my next class now.”

“Yeah, you go to class.” He sniffs again. “I just needed to talk to you, but I guess you’re too busy for me.”

I roll my eyes again and sigh. “Kyle, this is work. You know that.”

“And I can’t keep a job because I’m a loser junkie. Yeah, I know. You go to class.”

He hangs up in my ear and I toss my phone in my bag and stare at Sasha in bewilderment.

“So that went well?”

“Not really.” I shrug a shoulder. “He’s paranoid, and his moods are all over the place, which is typical for an addict. But he says he’s going to rehab.”

“Do you think he will?”

“No.”

“Speaking of rehab,” Sasha says, “do you remember Fiona Masterson?”

I frown. “The playwright?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Rumor has it that she has a new musical that she’s been shopping around, but no one will touch it.”

“Why not?”

Sasha frowns. “Because it’s about addiction, overcoming it, and moving on from it.”

I lean my ass against the wall and stare at her. “Really? Why doesn’t anyone want to fund it?”

“Because it’s a tough subject, and a lot of the heavier pieces don’t do as well.” She shrugs, and my wheels are turning. “I remembered when Kyle called. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought of funding a show, but this might be a good one.”

I’d certainly like to talk to Fiona. I clear my throat as we walk into the dance room. “Something to think about for sure. Let’s dance.”

She squeezes my arm and takes her place next to me, and my mind drifts to my brother.

I don’t believe Kyle’s really going to get clean, nor do I think he wants to. He’s trying to manipulate me, but for what this time, I’m not sure.

That’s a lie. I know. He wants money. He always just wants money.

I wish I could trust that he was being honest. I wish that with all my heart. I don’t want to have to bury my brother. But this is Kyle we’re talking about, and that’s not the case. He’s done this to me and my parents so many times.

So, no more answering unknown caller calls. I don’t have room in my life for toxicity, and Kyle is the most toxic person I know.

I’ve been through three dance classes today, and I’m not limping. That’s a win in my book.

As soon as I get back to my condo, I call Finn’s cell. He’s out of town for a couple of days, but I’d like to hear his voice.