“Is this some sort of intervention?” I rub my temples, hoping to ease some of the tension brought on by my sudden crying jag.

“Yes,” says Gemma from the seat on my right.

“No.” Harley puts her arm around me from the spot on my left. “This is not an intervention. We just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“It’s also kind of an intervention.” Gemma gives Harley a fierce look.

I turn my attention to Nick. “Did he tell you what I said?”

“No. Not for lack of my trying. All he told me was you guys had a fight and he was going to get some space at his parents’ house.”

Leave it to Jack to protect me even after I was a monster.

“Did he tell you how he lied to me?” I clearly do not feel the need to reciprocate said protection. Because hello, monster.

“He did tell me that, yes. And I told Gem and Harley, so we’re all caught up there.” Nick crosses his arms, leaning on the table.

“But we’d kind of prefer to stay out of that aspect of this whole thing,” Harley says quietly. “Jack lied, and he has his reasons, and whatever you’re feeling about it is justified. But that’s between the two of you.”

The intervention starts making more sense. “Ah. So you guys are here to take me to task for the truly disgusting thing I said to him. Even not knowing what I said, you know me well enough to know it was bottom-level shit. Because of course, Jack’s the perfect boyfriend, and I’m a garbage human and I totally fucked it all up because that’s what I do.”

All three of them stare at me silently. Gemma glares like she’s angry. Nick’s mouth hangs slightly open in shock. Harley has a light sheen of tears in her eyes.

“You don’t need to tell me how truly awful I am, guys. I already know.” The words come out, but just barely.

Gemma clears her throat. “We know nothing of the sort. And quite frankly, we could refute your totally bananas, couldn’t-be-more-wrong opinions of yourself. We could list all the ways you help us and care for us, we can sing your praises until the cows come home, but it’ll never be enough.”

I open my mouth, but Harley cuts me off. “We love you, Sadie. And we think you’re kind, and thoughtful, and caring, and generous. But nothing we say can undo years and years of abuse, hon.”

Her words are stark and honest and they punch me in the gut. I struggle to catch my breath, even as the tears build back up.

“What she’s saying is, it’s time to go back to therapy.” Gemma reaches out and takes my hand in hers.