Page 9 of Healer’s Betrayal

That dark expression fades. “Good. I knew you would.” He and his friend start towards the door. “First of the month; I’ll come to collect.” He pulls open the door and steps out into the hallway, and his buddy follows him. He grins. “It’s been great doing business with you; see you the beginning of the month.”

“That’s in like two weeks,” I argue.

He smirks cruelly. “It is; don’t be late.” The door closes, and I try to catch my breath. A few seconds later, Noah steps out of the bathroom and walks over to me.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly.

I force a smile. “I’m fine. Now, let’s look at your workbooks.” He hands me his math workbook.

I pick it up and wince when the weight of it pulls on my wrist. It’s been aching today, but it seems worse tonight. I switch hands, but my observant brother noticed. “Does it hurt?”

“It’s fine.”

“Did he break your arm?”

“No,” I rush to reassure him. “No, it’s fine; it’s already healing.” We don’t bring it up again, but the next morning, I take in the bruising on my arm. It wasn’t bad yesterday, but it’s so much more obvious today. Hopefully, it heals quickly and nobody notices.

Chapter 5

Kayla

The bruising doesn’t, in fact, heal quickly. By Friday, it’s a nice shade of greenish yellow; but that means it’s at the end. I debate wearing a long-sleeve shirt, but it’s too hot. And honestly, it’s been too busy at the café for anybody to notice. It’s one of those weeks where it’s too hot to cook at home, so everyone in town comes to Mama May’s. I’m not complaining because it’s been good for me for tips. “You ready?” I ask Noah as I finish throwing my hair on top of my head in a messy bun that will hopefully hold for the day. I take in Noah’s pants and frown. “Bud, it’s like a hundred degrees outside. Don’t you want to wear shorts?”

“No.”

I debate pushing the issue; but we need to get moving, or we’re going to miss our ride. “Okay, let’s go.” I grab my wallet and phone and pocket my keys after locking the door behind me. The humidity in the hall is suffocating. When we step outside, it isn’t much better; but at least the sun is out. We start towards the neighborhood a few blocks away, where Jessie will pick us up. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait.

“Hey, Guys,” she calls out through the open window. “Get in out of the heat.” The air conditioning feels good as we settle in. “It’s going to be a hot one today.”

“Yeah, it is; but at least the sun’s out,” I say as I buckle.

“Hey, Noah,” Jessie says, looking in the rearview.

“Hey,” he mumbles. Thankfully, she doesn’t let it bother her.

“I’m going to call the shop today and check on my car, so you don’t have to keep playing chauffer.”

She waves me off. “It’s fine.”

When she parks in the parking lot, she throws her hair into a high ponytail and turns to me. “You think we’ll get to work a full shift today?”

“We’d better. And listen, if not, just let me get an Uber. You don’t need to cut your hours short just because some crazies are looking for me.”

Jessie grins. “Okay.”

“I’m serious,” I tell her as I climb out and wait for Noah.

“Got it,” she calls out and walks towards the café.

“She’s totally going to leave early if I have to,” I say out loud.

Noah nods. “Yep.”

I shake my head. “Hey, just be ready if we have to get out fast.”

“Do you think it’s really Uncle Ben sending somebody?” Noah asks quietly.

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “But Butch has been looking out for us. He won’t let anything happen to us.” That seems to appease him. The blast of cold air from the air conditioning hits as soon as we step inside, and I let it cool me. I’m so thankful that Mama May is always hot because she keeps this place like an icebox. “It’s been crazy busy, but I’ll try to check in with you when I can.”