by Ws Greer
“So, shall I bring over the entire bottle, or are we just going with glasses?” he says with a chuckle, and I smile back.
“Umm, glasses will do. Just fill mine to the very top. If you don't struggle to keep it from spilling, you haven't filled it enough.”
“Too much wine to keep it all in the glass is the perfect amount,” he replies in that quick-witted way he does. “Since we’re both off work tomorrow, I think I’ll fill mine the same way. Maybe we can knock off the entire bottle between the two of us. You up for the challenge?”
I’m not dumb, although I've kept myself up many nights questioning whether that’s true or not. I know what Eli is doing, and I decide to go along with it.
“Sure, let’s see if we can do it.” I swallow hard, watching as the corners of Eli’s mouth lift once again.
I move into the living room, sitting on the cream-colored loveseat in front of the ivory coffee table. The fireplace crackles in front of me beneath the eighty-inch TV mounted on the wall. Eli brings two glasses of wine and sets them both on the table in front of me. Ironically, a bit of red wine glides down the side of my glass and forms a tiny puddle on the table.
“Look at that. The perfect amount,” Eli says. He lifts his glass and takes a big gulp, before looking at me with expectation in his eyes. I see hope and pleading in his face as he watches me.
When I look at the wine-filled glass, I see more than just wine. I see Eli’s desire to move on. I see his need for normalcy. I see it as a big red question mark, and the question is whether or not I’m ready to move on. Am I ready to let go? Am I able to get back on the road we’ve been on since that day in the bar when we saw each other and made the entire room disappear, leaving nothing but the two of us together. Am I ready?
My heart feels like each beat is that of a bass drum, pounding in my chest, rattling my rib cage. My nerves are sensitive, and the urge to cry is just as strong now as it was before, and I know everything will always be this way if I don't push through it and move on. I have to fight past this feeling, and force us back on track. I must overcome it, and the first step is picking up the wine glass. I must answer the question.
Before the urge to withdraw can consume me, I exhale, pick up the glass, and take two large gulps that drain the alcohol by half. I don't even put the glass back on the table. I keep it in my hand, ready for the next big drink.
“So,” I begin, still feeling nervous. “How was work?”
Acknowledgments
Book two is complete! Wow, another amazing journey where I finally said things I’ve wanted to say for so long. It feels good to be able to talk about things that are important to you, and that’s why The Therapist is changing how I feel about writing books.
I've always labeled myself a feminist. It’s probably strange to some people because I’m active duty military, which is heavily dominated by men and testosterone. Somehow, I’m a little bit of an anomaly because I think the world is fucked up and women don't get the respect they deserve.
I’m not here to bash men, and that wasn't the intent of Shameless (The Therapist #2), but I’m definitely here for empowering women in all the ways men are empowered. I have the amazing privilege of having a daughter, and I want her to know she has the right to do whatever she wants, the same way men do, and that’s why Tessa was brought to life.
I’m in the middle of writing this series right now. It’s amazing because as I write these acknowledgements, I actually finished with the manuscript for The Fallout (The Therapist #3) today as well. I’m making a ton of progress, and I’ve been sort of keeping to myself while writing this series, so the list of people I have to thank is quite short. Let’s knock it out so I can get back to editing.
As usual, the first person I have to thank is the most important person in my life, and that’s my wife. As I write this, only you and I know what is going into these books and how much thought we’ve had to put into them. I’m writing the series, but there really is a lot of us on the pages. I've bounced tons of ideas off of you and will continue to do so as Malcolm embodies both of us. We’re using him to teach others, and I appreciate your input throughout this process. Thanks, baby. I love you.
I’d also like to thank my parents for all of their support, both directly and indirectly. This is going to be a huge summer when this series starts dropping, and I already know my parents are going to be out there with paperbacks putting in work. I love you guys.
To my brother, Shawn, I fucking love you, man. I wish I was physically there to help you through the shit you're going through right now, but I’m with you in spirit, and if you need absolutely anything, you know I got you. Darrion, I love you, too. You're not alone.
I’d like to thank everyone at Give Me Books, especially Jo, for all the help and promo for this book release. At the time of this writing, we haven’t gotten started promoting all of this, and I know it’s a task to promote four books over a four-month span, but I can’t wait to see this machine in action.
Thank you to all of my beta readers. Thank you to all of the fans who've flocked to my page with words of encouragement and excitement about this series. This is the greatest thing I’ve ever done, and I know you won't be disappointed. If the betas from The Therapist (The Therapist #1) are any indication, this is about to be massive.
Can we finally surpass the tidal wave that hit when Kingpin (An Italian Mafia Romance) came out? Fingers crossed, because this series deserves it. I know this is subjective, but as the writer of all my work I’m telling you this series is the best thing I've ever done. I think it’s also the most important. I can’t wait until it’s out for the world to see and spread.
Lastly, if you're reading this book, thank you! I love you. Enjoy the journey.
Represent...
More From WS Greer
More From WS Greer
Thank you for purchasing Shameless (The Therapist #2)! Please leave an honest rating and review wherever you purchased your copy. It’d be very much appreciated!
Check out these other titles from WS Greer…
Frozen Secrets (A Detective Granger Novel)
Claiming Carter (The Carter Trilogy #1)
Becoming Carter (The Carter Trilogy #2)
Destroying Carter (The Carter Trilogy #3)
Defending Her
Kingpin (An Italian Mafia Romance #1)
Long Live the King (An Italian Mafia Romance #2)
Red Snow (A Detective Granger Novel)
Madman (Love & Chaos #1)
Boss
The Therapist (The Therapist #1)
Shameless (The Therapist #2)
The Fallout (The Therapist #3)
Toxic (The Therapist #4)
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