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Chapter nine
Cal
“How’s the schedule today?”I asked Cammie.
“You have Rowan first,” she said and smirked. “Then a three-hour break. Then you’re booked solid until four. I put a new patient in during your usual lunch. He’s trying to squeeze in sessions without missing work. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I’ll come in early or stay late if that helps bring people in.”
“Absolutely not,” Adam said, materializing at my shoulder like a damn ghost. The man could be alarmingly stealth. “You’re not working alone, and I’m not paying Cammie overtime.”
“Actually,” Cammie said, plastering on a megawatt smile. “I don’t have air conditioning at home, so I wouldn’t mind staying late. I could bring my Kindle and read after clocking out.”
Adam grunted, which could mean either yes or no, and went back to his office. I would never have called him a pleasant person before, but he was becoming more and more abrasive each day Avery’s reviews remained online.
I’d texted her several times asking to meet, going as far as admitting that her reviews were impacting my schedule. No response. I needed to see her face-to-face to tell her my job was on the line. Otherwise, the information could inspire her to double down. Once she saw how upset I was, she’d stop.
Avery wasn’t a bad person. She lashed out whenever she was hurt, but she always regretted it. In high school, she started bullying people after her dad left. She never did it in front of me, but I heard stories and called her on it.
Few people saw what I did. The guilt she carried for the things she’d done. The small ways she tried to atone. Leaving a closer parking spot open when she noticed one of her targets drive into the lot behind her. Shutting down the bullies who copied her, so the pain she caused didn’t blossom and spread.
I’d hurt her, and posting trash reviews made her feel better, just like how bullying kids lower on the social ladder made her feel powerful after her dad abandoned her. I knew she’d feel guilty soon enough and want to make it right, but if she didn’t talk to me soon, I was going to need a lawyer.
“Cam, you don’t have to stay late for me,” I said, doing my best to push aside any thoughts of Avery and my crumbling career.
“I wish I were lying about the AC. I typically go home and open the windows, then stay at Karma until closing while things cool off.”
The weather had been stifling for days. Even with air conditioning, the office got so hot in the afternoons, patients complained and sweated through their sessions. Thankfully, things were cooler in the mornings. It had been difficult enough working with Rowan through her third and fourth sessions. No telling how on edge we’d both be if we were also overheated.
“Can you put in a window unit?” I asked.
“It cools off enough,” she said as Rowan pushed through the front door, typing on her cell.
“It didn’t dip below eighty-five last night,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. I’d noticed the dark circles swelling under Cammie’s eyes all week. I didn’t think she’d appreciate me pointing them out, but they were proof enough for me that the heat was making it hard for her to sleep. “There’s no telling when this heat will break. You need a window unit, Cam. We can go to Walmart after work, grab one, and I’ll put it in for you.”
“I’m fine,” she said and smiled at Rowan as she tucked her phone in her oversized bag. “Hi, Rowan. Dr. Cardoso can get you started right away.”
Rowan narrowed her eyes at Cam. “You don’t have any AC at home?”
Cammie blushed, and I felt like an ass for pressing her, especially in front of a patient. I didn’t know where Cam lived or her financial situation. Maybe she couldn’t afford the electricity to run a window unit even if I bought it for her.
“Do you rent?” Rowan asked.
Cammie nodded.
“Does the landlord allow window units?”
Cammie nodded again.
“Great. We have an old one that works fine. You’re welcome to it.”
“Really?” Cam said, a huge smile on her face. “I don’t want to borrow something you might need.”
Rowan waved her hand. “Mom installed central air a few years ago. The unit’s in Poppy’s way. She’ll be ecstatic to have more room in her studio, and Mom will be glad someone is using it. Poppy and I can bring it over tonight if you want.”
Of course Rowan would ignore her injury the moment someone needed help. It made me wonder what else she’d been doing to derail her recovery. “You can’t lift an air conditioner, Rowan,” I said.
“Fine, Chris and Poppy can do it.”
