ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON 15

Episode 97

             Later That Night

Richard sat in his study behind his desk, staring at a picture of himself with Nigel and the kids on his phone. They all looked so happy. He laughed when he noticed Richie making faces behind his back and smiled softly as he saw the shy expression on Lewis's face.

He wanted to return to those previous happy days.

He closed his eyes.

He thought of the pain in his stomach. It was gradually fading but he could still feel it.

He thought of the pills his father had taken from him the other day.

He thought of the two glasses of white wine he had drank that night as he and Nigel had ate dinner with the oddly quiet three kids.

( " Don't you think you've had enough? ," Nigel had asked with concern as he reached for the bottle once more. )

( " I'm not an addict! " )

( " An addict is still an addict. " )

Then he laid down his phone and pulled out the piece of paper from his pants pocket.

Ryan Cooper.

( " Call me anytime when you decide you have a problem. " )

He didn't want to admit he might have a problem with pills, alcohol, whatever. His father was wrong. Right? He was fine. Just under a lot of stress. Had been shot. Found out his son wasn't his......

Tears filled his eyes and a sob threatened to break from between his firmly self restrained lips. 

He needed Nigel so much right now but he was upstairs sleeping. His husband had had a rough day with his father and Ariel and Lewis. He didn't want to stress out the man. His health was still so fragile. He was still recovering from the transplant. Still had lupus and always would. It was bad enough Nigel was choosing to return to the company next year. He couldn't put more on his shoulders that were carrying too much as it were. Same with his father.

And, he didn't want to disappoint them with how weak he really was in life.

He looked at the phone number. He didn't know this Ryan man. Although maybe that was exactly what he needed right now.

( " I'm not an addict ! " )

( " An addict is still an addict. )

( " I'm not having a damn addict around my grandson.")

( " Don't you think you've had enough? " )

( " Call me anytime. ")

He let out a deep shuttering breath and then began to dial the number. It rang a few times before he finally heard the man's voice saying," Yes, who is this? "

Richard hesitated. He didn't want to talk to this man. He wanted Nigel. He wanted the pills. Or another wine.

" I ... I'm..... This is... Ric..Ron. Ron Nelson. From the meeting?"

Ryan Cooper said quietly," I was hoping you would call. How are you? "

Richard sighed. " I don't really know. "