I never believed I’d be able to repay Colin for what he did for me, but now I know exactly what I can do.
“Hmmm…” Georgia runs her index finger back and forth across her upper lip as she skims over Archer’s file. “This is definitely an interesting coincidence.”
I lean back in my chair and fold my arms across my chest. “To say the least.”
She looks up at me over the purple rims of her reading glasses. “But you never actually met Archer?”
“No,” I say with emphasis. “I only worked with Colin for six months, and there was just this one weekend when we…” I cringe and rub my forehead, which causes Georgia to snicker impishly.
“It’s okay, Elle. I’m not judging you.”
“What I mean is, we never had a relationship, we were never close, we weren’t evenfriends.” I lift my shoulders. “It just happened, and that was that. So I’ve never had any involvement with Colin beyond working with him. His brother only came up in conversation once, and he immediately changed the subject.”
She slips off her glasses to gesture at me with them. “So you’re not still seeing him?”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t evenseeinghim before. It was just a drunken accident.”
Georgia chuckles lightly. “Oh, to be young again.” She sighs and sets her glasses on the desk before folding her hands on top of it. “So, as far as work is concerned. Dual relations do come up from time to time in any type of counseling. As a recovery coach, you’re not Archer’s doctor or therapist, so it’s a little less stringent. You’re just his coach. The only real conflict of interest here would be if you’d had a relationship with Archer rather than his brother, or if you began a relationship with Archer while you’re coaching him. Barring some kind of medical or legal emergency, none of your coaching will likely involve Colin. And if you’re not involved with him, and Archer doesn’t even know about what happened between you and his brother, I don’t foresee any kind of problem. The place you have to operate from is protecting Archer’s progress. If you feel like there is anything going on that could hinder or interfere with that, then you need to transfer him to me or someone else.”
I draw in a deep breath. “Okay.”
“But the other thing is,” she adds, “do you feel like youcancoach him given what happened between you and his brother?”
“Absolutely,” I say without missing a beat. “In fact, after reviewing his file, I think he’d be the ideal first client for me. He’s a pretty classic case of childhood trauma that resulted in addiction. Everything I read is pretty straightforward. I came up with what I think is a solid plan, and I feel good about it.” I pause, glancing at the open folder and Archer’s photos from childhood. “I understand him. I think I can get him on the right path and help him stay there.”
Another smile stretches Georgia’s lips, and she offers a nod. “Well, let’s get it done then.”
Iwillget it done. Everything about Archer’s life is exactly what all of my education and internships have prepared me for. The only thing I wasn’t prepared for was him being related to the guy I had a drunken fling with. But that won’t be a problem.
All I have to do is never be in contact with Colin again. And that’s probably for the best anyway.
Promptly at one PM, I make my way to the reception area. There’s only one person waiting on the sofa, andthisis Archer.
Unlike his older brother, who is solid, imposing, and a perfect male specimen of what is known asblack Irish—ebony-hued hair, thick, dark brows, and persistent, equally dark stubble on his jaw—Archer is fair. His shaggy hair is light sandy brown, and he has no facial hair to speak of. He’s also quite slim, but I know that has less to do with his genes and more to do with his drug of choice.
That drug of choice is the clear culprit behind the way Archer is bouncing his leg, darting his pale blue eyes all over the place, and chewing his nails. And he’s definitely going to a detox facility. Maybe even tomorrow if I can convince him.
“Archer?” I say, smiling pleasantly.
Archer snaps his face toward me and leaps up off the couch. “Hi!”
Standing at his full height, he’s not quite as tall as Colin, but he still towers over me by about an inch or two. But getting a better look at him, the resemblance can’t even be hidden by his fair hair and lankiness. He rakes back his hair in the same way Colin constantly does when the gears in his head are turning, and parks his hands on his hips while he shifts his slight weight to one leg. Again, a stance I’ve seen Colin take about two dozen or more times.
Despite everything wrong with this situation, I have to admit it’s a little endearing.
I approach him with an extended hand. “I’m Elle. I’ll be your recovery coach.”
Archer clasps my hand with both of his and shakes it exuberantly. “Hi, Elle! Thanks so much.” A smile spreads across his face and pulls dimples into his paper-thin cheeks, and the dimples are also very familiar. “I’m super excited to be here and super motivated.”
I release his hand and return his smile. “That’s good to hear. I’m super excited, too.” I gesture at the hall and start leading the way. “Go ahead and follow me back here.”
He does, and we make our way to my office. We both sit down, and I pull out my notes.
“So,” I begin, folding my hands in my lap and offering another disarming smile. “I’ve read through your file, but I’d like you to talk about why you chose to seek us out for assistance. Tell me about what you think are your biggest struggles and motivations, and what you hope to accomplish.”
“Wee-eell…” Archer lolls his head sideways as he rapidly scratches the side of his neck. “If you read that file, you can probably see that I’ve got some shit to deal with.” His entire body jolts as he holds up both hands in front of him, blue eyes wide. “Sorry, didn’t mean to swear.”
I chuckle. “Swearing’s totally fine here. You can sayshit. Or whatever.”
