Free My Broken Soldier (Love Conquers Life Book 2) by Alison Mello

tomorrow.”
    “Seriously?”
    He laughs. “I’m dead serious, but listen, son. You need to take care of yourself. I’m not a vet, but I’ve seen a lot of traumas come through these doors. You have good people around you who really care. Take care of yourself, and if you need more help, seek it. You’re a hero. Don’t make yourself a victim.”
    “Thanks, doc.”
    He shakes my hand and tells me he’ll see me soon.
    About ten minutes later, Dr. Cardoza walks in and says, “Hey. So, I heard that it’s up to me whether you break out of this place or not.”
    “Yup, and I’m really hoping you’ll set me free.”
    He laughs. “How’d you sleep last night?”
    “I slept fine. Still no nightmares.”
    “Okay. I’m going to make a deal with you. I’m going to release you, but you need to see me once a week for a little while longer. I feel like we need to work on your stress management so you don’t relapse.”
    I started to panic slightly at the word relapse. “What if I do relapse? What if I leave here and they come back?”
    “Relax. First of all, I don’t think they will. I think you’ve made great progress. We’ve talked about your nightmares and how to handle the drinking. As I told you before, I don’t really think drinking is an issue for you, but if you start to feel like it is, talk to me about it.”
    I take a deep breath and nod my head, taking in everything he’s saying to me.
    “Are you going to do as we discussed about giving Patty my number?”
    “Yeah, I think it’s a great idea. I’m also going to add you to the list of people who are allowed up to my place without question, so if there ever is an emergency you’ll be let in.”
    “If that’s what you want.”
    “I do. I feel better knowing that someone other than my parents can get to me if need be. I don’t plan on ever doing that again, but it’s like a security thing.”
    He sticks out his hand to me and, with laughter in his voice, says, “I’ll see you next week, and if you don’t show, I’ll go to your house and hunt you down.”
    “Thanks, Doctor Cardoza. Sorry I was a dick in the beginning.”
    He laughs again and says, “You all are, but I know I’m not the enemy. Now, let me go sign your paperwork so you can get out of here.”
    I snag my phone and quickly send a text to my father.
     
    Carter: Can you bring my Jeep to the hospital? I’m being discharged today or tomorrow.
     
    Dad: Way to go son! I will have it there soon.
     
    Carter: Thanks for everything Dad!

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
     
    Patty
     
    I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve heard from Carter. The only word I’ve received from him was the text message he sent me saying he was working on it and thanking me for not giving up. It makes me so happy to know that he’s getting the help he needs to be healthy again and that he still wants to be a part of my life. I miss him and his muscular body and his hazel eyes. The bright gleam in them was gone the last time I saw him. It was like his light was out and he was a ghost of a man. He wasn’t the Carter I fell in love with. That vision has haunted my nightmares, but I have to admit it helps to know that he’s doing something to get better, even if I don’t know how they’re helping him or when I’ll see him again.
    I’ve spent a lot of time here thinking about us and all the things we’ve done together in the short time we’ve known each other. When we met for the first time at that fundraiser and he rescued me from Ben, we clicked right away. It was like we’d known known each other for years. I don’t know if it’s because our parents are such good friends, but we seriously just work together.
    I’ve been trying to come up with a plan for what to do if I don’t hear from him soon. I’ve contemplated going back on my word and visiting him in the hospital, or maybe I should text Derek and ask him to check in with Carter for me, but I really want Carter to