Reality and Rehab

EMMA

As Diablo takes his shower, I’m busy flushing all the cocaine down the toilet. I scour the bedroom, searching for any hidden drugs, but thankfully, I find none.

What I do find, though, takes my breath away. Tucked away in the bottom drawer is a framed picture of Diablo and me. We’re smiling at each other, our eyes sparkling with joy. We look like a genuinely happy couple.

I don’t remember anyone ever taking this picture. I put it back in the drawer and continue my search through the rest of the house, ensuring it’s drug-free.

Eventually, Diablo emerges from the shower, looking as handsome as ever in his black jeans, T-shirt, and shoes. His hair is tousled but neat, and he’s freshly shaven.

He’s as breathtaking as the day we first met. I quickly look away before he catches me staring. We need to talk, not get lost in each other again. My hormones are already racing.

I’m sitting on the couch, nursing a whiskey, waiting for him. He pours himself a generous glass of whiskey and takes a seat on the opposite couch.

“So, Emma, you mentioned some conditions. Let’s hear them.”

“Before we get to that, Diablo, I need to explain why I did what I did, and everything that’s happened since I left. If you have any questions afterward, I’ll answer them. But for now, just listen.”

He nods, sipping his whiskey, waiting for me to start.

I tell him everything, ending with the events of last night. I leave out the parts about kissing Mason. After all, he’s done far worse with Carly and other women.

There’s no point in mentioning it. Nothing will ever happen between Mason and me.

To say Diablo is shocked would be an understatement.

“But why leave me?”

“Because if I’d stayed, I would never have been voted number one. Your reputation isn’t good, Diablo. No one wanted to do business with you, only me.

“I don’t know what you did, but people despise you. I wouldn’t have gotten any votes.”

I can see in his green eyes that he’s trying to process everything I’ve told him.

“Maybe that’s true, Emma, but when you left, everything fell apart. I’m nothing now.”

“Maybe so, Diablo, but it had to be done. You need to deal with it.”

He’s silent for a while before speaking again.

“What are the conditions, Emma?”

“It’s simple, Diablo. You’re going to rehab. When you get out, I’ll be here waiting. No more messing around.”

“I’m the only woman in your life, and you’re not to see Carly ever again. Can you live with that?”

“And the businesses. Will I be your partner or just a tag-along?”

“You’ll be involved, but I’ll make the final decisions. Alex and Levi are important parts of my life. We come as a package.”

“Just as I expect you to be faithful to me, I promise to be faithful to you. Do we have a deal?”

“Yes. As long as I have you, I can do anything. When do I go to rehab?”

“Today. I’ve arranged everything. They’re expecting you. I’ll drop you off and pick you up in four weeks.”

“Four weeks? Are you serious? I need you with me. I don’t think I can do this alone.”

“I’ll be here, waiting for you. Just think, when you get out, we can be together.”

“I like the sound of that, baby love, but I’m not sure I can make it through four weeks.”

“You haven’t called me that in a long time. I like it when you call me your baby love. It still gives me butterflies.”

He smiles at me.

I’ve missed him. I crave his touch. I get up from the couch and walk over to him. I take the whiskey glass from his hand, straddle him, and lean down to kiss him.

It feels like our first kiss. The spark is still there. He’s surprised, and so am I. He pulls me closer, moving his lips in sync with mine.

I run my tongue over his top lip, then bite and suck lightly on his bottom lip. I hear him moan. The kiss is electric.

He opens his mouth and I slide my tongue inside, massaging his tongue with mine. We both moan in pleasure. I can feel his erection through my jeans. It feels like home.

His hands move from my hips upward, trying to lift my shirt to reach my breasts.

But I’m not ready for that yet. The memories of Carly and the other woman are still too fresh. I pull back, breaking the kiss.

“What’s wrong, baby love? Don’t you want me anymore?”

“I do, but the memories of this morning are still too fresh. Nothing ever gets resolved with sex. Once you’re back from rehab, we can make love. But for now, we should stop.”

I see the scowl on his face, which is almost comical, but I just can’t, not now.

“Please understand, Diablo. Just like you have your demons to fight, I have mine. Mine are the memories of the women you cheated on me with; yours are me leaving, the drugs, and sex.”

“We need to fix ourselves so we can make each other happy.”

“Fine, but I want you to pick me up in exactly four weeks, baby love. Then there’s no stopping me from touching what’s mine.”

“Of course. I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Dropping Diablo off at the rehab center is emotional for both of us. I give him a quick kiss before leaving.

I just hope that when he comes back, he’ll be the strong, emotionally stable man I first fell in love with.