Chapter Text
Frank wasn’t sure what led to Robby’s distrust of him. Most likely Santos, the new girl that couldn't mind her own business. But now he finds himself in the locker room with Robby, his mentor. Robby is standing there, angrily shaking a bag of pills in Frank’s face.
“Go home Frank” Robby snapped, disappointment and anger filling his voice.
Frank stared at him, the weight of his actions finally hitting him. The regret, the pain, the fear, the desperation. He stood in the locker room thinking of a million ways to argue against Robby while realizing his whole world had just come apart in the span of minutes.
Frank started to plead, arguing that Robby already knew about his back pain.
“It’s not like you think Robby, I’m sorry I fucked up, I was just trying to-”
“Trying to steal fucking pills,” Robby interrupted, anger coming off him in waves.
“NO it’s not like you think I’m NOT fucking HIGH,” Frank shouted.
Robby shook his head, continuing to yell at Frank, but the words weren't reaching Frank’s brain. Robby bent down and threw Frank’s belongings at him.
“Leave now or I will have you escorted out.” Robby coldly snapped, not making eye contact with Frank anymore.
Frank tried one last time, “Robby, please.”
Robby grabbed the back of Frank’s neck, shoving him towards the exit.
“You are done.”
Frank drove to his apartment, hands shaking, in disbelief over what just happened. His whole world was crumbling. First Abby had served divorce papers last week, claiming his busy schedule was just too much for her. His back was flaring in pain more than usual. Now his boss and mentor knows about his addiction. Frank parked at his apartment, putting his forehead on the wheel. He didn't notice when the tears started forming, but he felt them as they ran down his cheeks. He tried to take deep breaths, but before he knew it he was emitting gut wrenching sobs as he thought about what his life had become. He wasn't sure how long he sat in his car for, but after a while his phone lit up and chimed with a notification. He sat up straighter and wiped off his eyes to read the message. His heart dropped when he saw it was from Robby. He unlocked his phone with shaking hands, wondering what it could say.
“What if he tells me I’m fired? He’s reporting me to the state medical board? He called the police on me?”
It was just a singular text that read, “Stay home. Don't do anything stupid. I will contact you tomorrow.”