The Boy Who Has No Hope (Soulless #6) - Victoria Quinn Page 0,17

It may feel like a big sacrifice, but it’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Maybe there is no end. Maybe I’ll never get better.”

“You won’t with that attitude.”

He continued to stare at the table.

“This is happening regardless of how you feel about it. So, you may as well embrace it instead of fight it. You told me you would try—so let’s try.”

He glanced at the guys across the room before he rose to his feet. He grabbed his things, put them in his satchel, and then headed to the front door.

I watched him go, reading his annoyance in his body language, the way he carried himself like he was being forced with a gun to his back. But at least he was going…and that was because of me.

Derek sat on the couch in the living room, his cheek propped against his closed knuckles, his eyes staring at nothing in particular. Invisible clouds hung over his body, and the bad energy of his presence only intensified as time passed.

A knock sounded on the door.

Derek had no reaction.

I opened it and greeted Dr. Collins. “Thank you for coming.” I shook his hand and welcomed him inside.

“You must be Emerson.” He had a leather folder with him, which was closed and tucked under his arm. He took a quick look around then turned to Derek on the couch. “Lovely home.” He approached the couch.

Derek sat there for a while, resisting. But then he rose to his feet and extended his hand. “Thank you.”

Dr. Collins gave him a soft smile. “Dr. Hamilton, it’s great to make your acquaintance. I’ve been looking forward to this discussion.”

Derek forced a nod.

Dr. Collins took a seat on the other couch and prepared himself for the conversation.

I placed a bottle of water on the table for him before I sat beside Derek.

Derek turned to me with angry eyes.

“He signed an NDA.” I knew this man so well that I could read him like a book. “He will not share any of your information with anyone.” I moved my hand to his arm and gave him a gentle rub to calm him, to tuck away all his paranoia so he could be vulnerable.

He relaxed at my touch.

Derek got comfortable then stared at Dr. Collins.

With his pen in hand, the doctor crossed his legs and got comfortable. “I think the first thing we should do is discuss your hesitation. Most of my patients feel the exact same way, feel very awkward telling a stranger all their private thoughts. You don’t share that information with people who you are closest to, so why would you share them with me? You aren’t alone, Dr. Hamilton.”

Derek just stared.

“So, tell me why you think this is a waste of time.”

Derek propped his cheek against his closed knuckles again. “Because I’ve done it before—with no success.”

“How many sessions did you have?”

Derek was silent again for a while, like he might not answer. “Two.”

Dr. Collins didn’t take any notes.

“I know you’ll say that isn’t long enough, that’s why it failed,” Derek said.

Dr. Collins shook his head. “Actually, no. It failed because you weren’t ready, you didn’t want to be there, and the person you spoke to didn’t fit. That’s what I think.”

Derek turned slightly farther to him, as if that response piqued his interest.

“So, are you ready this time?” he asked. “Because if you aren’t, we have no chance of success.”

A long pause consumed the living room, absorbing into Derek’s skin like lotion.

I tried not to stare at him, but it was difficult, because I gauged his feelings from the look in his eyes, but I didn’t want to overwhelm him with attention.

Derek continued to hold his silence, his eyes on Dr. Collins. “I said I would try…so I will.”

Dr. Collins gave a nod. “That’s a great attitude. I can tell this will be much different from your last experience.” He made some notes in his book. “Emerson didn’t give me a lot of information because I like to learn about my clients through personal conversation, not from a different source. But she did tell me you have unresolved guilt that’s been weighing you down for some time. Most of my clients have lived through something very traumatic, and those experiences make them feel a lot of things—and guilt is one of them. I can also tell you that we can work through this together to give you closure, to allow you to move forward with a stronger sense of self and happiness. The only thing I