Page 166 of Always Love You More

I blow out a disbelieving breath.

“You’re the strongest person I know, Jamie. You’re just trying to protect yourself.”

“What kind of person gives their mother drugs, huh?” I fight to keep my voice even, to not take my anger out on her. “What kind of person bribes their mother with them? Talks to her like she’s a stranger?”

“Listen to me,” Sam says. “None of this is your fault. I’ve watched you with her. I’ve seen all the ways you’ve tried to help her. You’re agoodperson, Jamie.”

I grip the phone so hard that it feels like the thing’s about to shatter.

“Whatever just happened, whatever you just think you did, I know you feel like it had to be done. And even though it was hard for you, you did it for her.”

“You don’t even know what happened.”

“Yeah,” she answers. “But Iknow you.”

“I don’t know how you see the good in me. How you have such blind faith.”

“That’s ’cause it’s not blind. You’ve shown me over and over again who you are.”

I drop down to sit on the bed.

“And not once did I see your father. Not once did I think you were broken. And not once did I think you were anything but good.”

I’m quiet, her words sinking in.

“Do you believe me?”

I open my mouth to answer, but nothing comes out.

“I’ll keep telling you then,” she says, “until you do.”

Chapter 39

Sam

It’sbeenaweeksince Jameson called me upset. We talked again that night, and he told me the whole story, everything that’s been going on with his mother. I’d picked up pieces from being around, but I hadn’t realized how bad things had actually gotten.

Today when we got to his house, after he picked me up from school, we found his mother sitting at the kitchen table. She looked brighter than I’ve seen her since everything happened. A bit of life to her that wasn’t there before. Just the fact that she was out of her room, dressed, and eating is a huge step. One that I know Jameson will never take credit for.

Every time he gives her pills, it breaks another little piece of him. I know his mother sees it, but she keeps asking. Keeps taking.

Still, things are getting better. They’re not good, but they’re also not as bad as they were a week ago.

And that’s something, I guess.

“Baby?”

“Hmm?” I ask, looking up from my calculus book.

Jameson hovers over where I’m sitting on his bed. “I said, do you want a burger? I’m gonna run by Matty’s.”

“Oh.” I smile. “Yeah, thanks.”

He leans down and quickly kisses me before starting for the door.

“Don’t forget—”

“No tomato,” he finishes. “I know.”