No Way Back (Mia's Way, #1) by Chloe Adams Page A

started on something.” She stands and leads me out of the break room.
    “Dom saved my life,” I tell her.
    “I saw on TV. He’s very quiet about his work, but I put it together yesterday, when your people called for a time this morning. Dom called right after. He said you’re a fighter.”
    I say nothing. I don’t know how he can speak well of me after the other day. He knows I’m a coward.
    “Here we are,” Gianna says.
    I look at the dirty desk. This is hell.
    She shows me how to fill out some forms online then gives me a stack of forms with handwritten entries that I have to type into the computer. I do so in between texting Ari about how much this gig sucks. As soon as the doors open at nine, the place is flooded with people. It’s loud, and everyone seems to be upset.
    I want to cry after two hours there. I take a break in the break room and drink a diet soda while wondering what all the stains are in the microwave. There are roaches; I see a huge one waddle across the floor.
    I’m not Gianna. I can’t work or live or even visit a place like this. I don’t know how she can. She’s a better person than I will ever be, just like her brother.
    When my four hours are up, I bolt to the awaiting car. There’s still a line outside the center and a crowd inside. Gianna texts me a cheerful, See you Wednesday! I don’t know how to respond. I want to tell her I’m pretty sure I’d rather go to jail than show up Wednesday.
    I arrive home and walk inside to find Dr. Thompkins waiting for me with Chris in the foyer. I groan.
    “Later? Please?” I beg.
    “Nope. Go,” Chris replies. “Study.”
    I sigh and obey. There are cookies and small sandwiches along with a pot of tea. I grab a few cookies and pour myself some tea, then sit down and wait. Dr. Thompkins sits across from me and Chris at the head of the table, a few seats away.
    “Tell me about today,” Dr. Thompkins says.
    I glare at Chris but assume he’s not about to leave. I go over my day with Dr. Thompkins, who peppers me with questions while Chris listens.
    “I understand you had an incident yesterday at the mall.”
    I tense at Dr. Thompkins’ words. “It was nothing.”
    “Chris doesn’t think it was nothing.”
    “I passed out. My first outing and that’s the worst that happened. I think I did good,” I snap.
    “So you didn’t see anything on the news that made you pass out?”
    “It doesn’t matter if I did.”
    “Why don’t you tell me what happened,” Dr. Thompkins directs.
    I hate it when he says that. It’s like a test, one I don’t know the answers to. I sigh and tell him. He listens intently, and I wait for his right eyebrow to go up like it does when I curse. Because, I do curse almost every time I mention Robert Connor to my therapist. Chris leans forward, interested now. I look at him again, assuming he’s there to spy for Daddy.
    “How did you feel when you saw the news?” Dr. Thompkins asks.
    “Angry. No, furious.”
    “Because you feel he wronged you.”
    “I don’t feel anything,” I object, hating the way my shrink sometimes redefines my emotions. “I know he hurt me. Even if you try to tell me he didn’t.”
    “Why would I –”
    “Because everyone does! Everyone likes to tell me I’m wrong. And no one agrees with each other on what right is! So you know what, Doc? F-”
    “Mia, I’m not telling you that you’re wrong.” His watch beeps.
    I’ve never been so happy to have a session with him over. I stand up and dart out, back to my room. I have texts waiting from Ari. I settle in my closet to answer them.
     

Chapter Ten

     
    I arrive on time to hell two days later. It’s more depressing than I remember. Fabio – or whatever his name is – takes up his position inside the building, drawing the looks of the employees coming in. I go straight to my assigned cube. I tried to straighten it up the other day but am still disgusted as I turn on the computer. I didn’t pass Gianna, and there’s no