Nepenthe (Bracing for Love #2) by Lindsay Paige Page A

option, and I got dropped this semester for missing too many days.”
    He nods. “Okay, we'll work on that later. Next thing, not all medications are for everyone. This will be a trial and error process until we find one that works best for you. Read the possible side effects and if you have any, stop taking them and make an appointment to come see me. Medications do not fix your problems. Understand that. The purpose of medications is to help you fix your problems. Popping pills won't do anything if you aren't trying to help yourself too.”
    “Okay.” I can do that.
    Dr. Stewart discusses a couple different options before prescribing me something. He gives me a referral to a therapist, but I toss it in the backseat of my car once I get in. I'm not so sure about all that. While I'm waiting for my prescription to get filled, I get something to eat from a fast-food restaurant.
    I shouldn't have, though.
    “Excuse me?” I turn to see a guy around my age, wearing the same football hoodie as Ben. Shit. Not another one. “You used to play for Salem University, right? You're Corey Kennedy. Sucks to hear about your injury. I wondered what happened to you. Did you transfer here?”
    Sucks to hear ? How about sucks to have it happen to me? How about it sucks for you to bring it up? I nod my head, hoping that'll end the conversation.
    “We had a player who had to quit too. He had a really bad concussion. Still dealing with it.”
    Ugh, please stop talking. I didn't quit . They wouldn't clear me to play again and I was forced to stop. There's a difference; I would have played through it if I could. I wouldn't have cared about the long-term damage. Hell, it's long-term damage right now! The results are still the same.
    Thankfully, it's my turn to order. When I go to leave, the guy stops me.
    “Hey, good luck with what you chose to do now. I can't imagine not being able to play, or what I would do if I couldn't, so good luck with everything else.”
    “Thanks. Better make sure you have a backup plan just in case. Things are worse when you don't have one.”
    The guy nods, and that's the end of our conversation. Look at me, giving advice to the dude who can still play. Like he needs it. I check my phone while I eat. Olivia has texted me way too many times, so I should probably answer her.
     
    Olivia: Well, how did it go?
    Olivia: Corey...aren't you done by now?
    Olivia: Better not be ignoring me. Just tell me if it was good or bad. That's all I really want to know.
    Me: Went okay.
    Olivia: I said “good or bad.” “Okay” doesn't tell me which.
    Me: Good? I guess. I don't know. Today sucks.
     
    I pause, wondering if I should ask her what I've been thinking about since she said it. Might as well. Not like today can get any worse.
     
    Me: You said you would have guessed that I would do something where I could be around football...like what? Why would I do that?
     
    Seems like it takes her forever to respond. If I was like her, I'd start sending text after text until she answers, but I'm not. Besides, I can't decide if I want an answer or not. I shouldn't have asked. Do I really want to know? Does it matter? My leg is having a panic attack, judging by all the bouncing up and down it's doing. I still want nothing to do with it, not sure how I could even have a football in my apartment, much less be around people who can play. Plus, Olivia might get all happy because she will think I'm talking or opening up or moving on with life.
    That's not what I'm doing. Only figuring out what she meant and what she thinks. She's probably trying to use her see-into-your-soul-shit method on my text. Hopefully, it's not working, since she can't see me.
    God, is she going to respond or what? My phone vibrates.
     
    Olivia: idk. You love the game, right? Wouldn't you want to still experience what you can? You could be a coach or something in sports medicine, or ref, or agent, anything in the field. Options are limitless. Coach would be good