Free Streamline by Jennifer Lane

practicing their skills on each other, especially when they were making out. Spanish was simply a sexier language.
    “¿ Qué dijo?” Leo asked.
    “I believe he was embarrassed, but he said, ‘ Estoy embarazado’!”
    “Freshman mistake, telling everyone he’s pregnant.” Leo grinned.
    As the sun sank, the January air cooled, and the pair pulled closer together as they started another lap.
    “Um, Leo? Why’d you start taking Oxycontin?” He tensed. Others had asked him point-blank if his father physically abused him, and like a coward he’d denied it. He didn’t understand why on earth he felt loyal to CS, but he just couldn’t admit the abuse. He knew he deserved it.
    As the silence extended between them, Audrey added, “Was it something I did?”
    “No!” Leo said immediately. “You make me want to get better. I hated myself for getting hooked on pills, then I hated hiding it from you.” His brows knitted. “I guess I’m glad you finally know, though you’re probably embarrassed to be my girlfriend now.” She paused and turned to him. “I’m not embarrassed, and I’m not embarazada either.”
    “Thank God for that.” He smiled.
    “I’m so proud to be your girlfriend. The other girls are jealous I get to date such a hottie.”
    She leaned up for a kiss, and Leo felt butterflies in his stomach as her lips met his. She wore root beer-flavored lip gloss.
    “You’re smart and kind too,” she added after a moment. “I couldn’t find a better boyfriend.”
    Leo broke their second kiss by dashing into the bushes to vomit.
    Audrey’s voice came to him through the leaves. “I repel you that much, huh?”
    Leo stood with a hangdog look, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He felt a little woozy. “Sorry you had to see that. I — I guess I’m not over the withdrawal yet. You’re just exciting me too much out here.”
    She linked her arm in his. “Let’s get you back in bed, Scott.” His eyebrows shot up. “I like the sound of that!” 
    The next afternoon, right after lunch, Leo looked around the meeting room at the seven other men in his therapy group, led by Mr. Shale. The closest to his age was AJ, a college football player who’d been in the program for three weeks. AJ was a tall wide receiver who’d smoked pot for years, until a positive drug test forced him into treatment.
    “AJ, what part of ‘You’re not to use any substances while in treatment’ did you not understand?” asked Mr. Shale.
    “I’m here for pot, not booze!” he protested.
    “It doesn’t matter. Now we’ll have to reset your sobriety date to today. If you have another positive test, for any substance, you could get kicked out of the program. How would your coaches react to that?”
    “They’d probably yank my scholarship,” AJ mumbled.
    Leo listened to this exchange with interest. The coach at Florida State University had unofficially floated a potential half-scholarship his way. Audrey was pretty sure she’d attend FSU, and Leo liked the idea of joining her, especially if he didn’t get into the Academy. But if he didn’t get this addiction under control, he’d be facing the same troubles as AJ.
    An older man in the group shared how alcohol caused him and his wife to lose their kids to foster care. Leo was horrified. As story after frightening story unfolded, Leo had listened silently for most of the three-hour session. Then Mr. Shale looked right at him.
    “Leo? You don’t have to talk today, but we do find the program more effective if you’re engaged in the topic,” he said. “What can you tell us about your addiction and relationships?” Leo stared at him. He couldn’t determine if his current sweating was related to withdrawal or nervousness.
    “Some of the men have discussed how important people in their lives are also addicts. Is that true for you?” Mr. Shale prompted.
    “I just found out my brother’s an alcoholic,” Leo said, feeling the group’s stares. “But I