Wittshome Ranch

Chapter 18

Angela's POV

The boys have been here for a week now. They're really growing on me. Luke is like a son to me, he's my favorite. Calum won't give up and still thinks he has a shot with me, but he's a sweetheart and a natural with horses. Ashton is quickly becoming a good friend. I'm enjoying having them around.

As for Michael, he hasn't budged a bit. He's so stubborn and refuses everything I've tried to do. It's my own fault for saying what I said. I should've been more careful about it.

My dad left this week too. I guess he couldn't handle not having the kids here like he thought he could. A part of me is angry with him for leaving, but another part of me wants to go with him. I don't like the strangeness of this place. Without the kids here it feels totally different.

After lunch I sent all four boys with Jake on a hike. I needed them out for a while. I've had a really bad headache today that I can't seem to shake. It doesn't help that I didn't sleep last night.

*flashback*

"Come on Babe, it's gonna be fun." He smiled at me with that dreamy smile he knows I can't resist. I laugh while breathing in my joint.

"Fine. Let's go then." I say and throw my cig on the ground. We all climb into my truck, three in the cab and the other five in the bed and head into town. They don't know where I'm going but I do. I know exactly where I wanna go.

After several minutes of crappy driving and loud music we finally ended up where I wanted to be. Parking I turn my lights off but that doesn't dim the lights shining from the store sign.

"Where are we Ange?" My friend Jenny asks. I smirk.

"Hell."

*end of flashback*

The memories of last night's dream keep playing in my mind. That was one of the worst things I did that summer. Everything inside me itches for a drink right now but I know that it won't help. Plus Jake has removed any form of liquor from this property. Groaning I get up to check on the horses.

The boys should be back soon so I want to make sure everything's ready to go. I have a plan for Michael. I'm done with his games. It's time for me to find out how to handle this. It's my job for heavens sake. I'm sure I know of some way to get him to open up.

After a bit of researching I start to hear the familiar sound of Jake's laugh fill the silent barn. I sigh realizing they're back.

"How was your hike, boys?" I ask walking out of my office. Jake smiles at me but before he can respond Luke surprises me by jumping in.

"It was great! That was the prettiest thing I have ever seen!" He bursts happily. Calum laughs nodding while Ashton just shakes his head. Michael doesn't answer. He simply glares at the ground. I sigh.

"Boys, go on in and clean up. We're going out tonight." They look super excited and spin around running inside.

"Michael wait." I say as he starts to leave. "Come in here with me please." I motion to my office as he groans and comes in. Grumbling under his breath he sits down at my desk.

"Look, this obviously isn't working. Something needs to change." I sigh taking a drink of water. He laughs in response.

"Really? That's all you say? 'Something needs to change'! Seriously! This is pathetic. I don't even want to be here!! This wasn't my choice! Nothing you do will fix that!" He screams at me. I sigh.

"Is this about what I said to Jake when you first got here? Because Michael I'm so sorry about that. It had nothing to do with you. I was mad at my dad and was blaming you for it. That wasn't right but it's what I did. I want to help. I want to be your friend." I say as calmly as I can. He stares at me blankly.

"Do you really think everything is about you? There's nothing wrong with me!"

"Sweetheart, no one thinks there's something wrong with you." I say as gently as I can.

"Then why am I here?! If no one thinks there's something wrong with me then why am I sitting here with some shrink?" He asks, barely whispering the last part.

"Because Michael, people care. There's nothing wrong with you, but there is something wrong with the behavior you've been displaying. We want to help with whatever feelings you're having that are causing this behavior. And I'm not a shrink. Well, technically I am. But you should stop thinking of me that way and try thinking of me as a friend." He shakes his head.

"Friends don't judge each other."

"Do you think I'm judging you?"

"Obviously. You've lived this perfect life and I'm this wreck of a person. Why on earth wouldn't you judge me?" He says hardly above a whisper. I sigh and shake my head.

"Trust me Hon, my life has been nowhere near perfect. And I of all people have absolutely no room to judge. I'm not judging you. I want to help you. Trust me Sweetie, I've been where you are. I've reached the light at the end of my tunnel and I want to help you reach yours." His head suddenly shoots up and his eyes look directly into mine.

"Wh-what do you mean you've been where I am?" He stutters. I sigh, I've never told a patient this before. Sure I've told bits and pieces but that that's always after a long time.

"Most people don't know this about me, only my dad and Jake, but I'm a recovering addict." I say slowly letting him take this information in.

"Wh-what?" He ask shocked. I sigh.

"When I was ten, my mom was killed. I don't know who did it. But the point is it happened here, it was brutal, and I lost my mom. I was super depressed and so was my dad." He seems to actually be paying attention so I continue.

"Despite the extreme grief he was feeling my dad did his best to keep the rehab center going. It was a lot bigger back then so there was a lot of staff. My dad seemed to get better but I didn't. It got worse as the years went by.

Then, the summer I turned sixteen, a group of people who I had never seen before showed up. They were all really close friends, but they all obviously followed this guy named Jackson. He was eighteen at the time. The rest of them were either sixteen or seventeen.

I automatically took a liking to them, and they to me. I quickly learned t was here or juvi for them. All of them had drug charges but Jackson also had some sort of violent crime on his record. I never found out what it was.

Due to my dad not being as careful as my mom, they easily got drugs and alcohol here. I got hooked on them faster then I became a part of the group. I was addicted. It numbed my pain and it made me a part of the group. It was amazing.

We started sneaking off of the ranch and into town. We did some awful things. It went on for an entire summer and only stopped when we all got arrested.

It was then my dad decided to close the place down. He realized it hadn't helped me heal like it had helped him and that I needed his full attention. It took me three years in and out of rehab to get completely sober. But now I'm here. And I honestly want nothing more then to help you get here." I finished with a shaky breath as he just stare at me.

"I had no idea Angie." He whispered. "Maybe you're not so bad." I smile as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

"Let me help you, Michael."