Tears burn my eyes as the frustration inside me bubbles over. Why does the insurance industry make it so hard for chronically ill people like me to even exist?
My brain turns to mush as I work out the cost in my head. I have two hundred dollars currently in the bank…paying for three pills would cause me to overdraw my account…but three is the bare minimum that I need…
I guess I’ll be in the red this month. Again.
I clear my throat. “I’ll take three pills,” I say weakly.
I bite my lip to keep from bursting into tears as I hand over my card to the pharmacy technician.
Behind me, I hear some guy grumbling about how long I’m taking.
“Sorry,” I say in a weak voice.
“Sir, please be patient,” the pharmacy technician says. “We’re all doing our best right now.”
“Well, maybe if some people knew how the hell to use their insurance properly,” he mutters.
If I were braver, I’d turn around and tell the guy that I do know how to use my insurance properly. They just switched my coverage and didn’t tell me. But my instinct is to freeze and clam up. It always is whenever it comes to confrontation.
“And maybe you should be more responsible with your money so that when surprises like this happen, you’re more prepared,” the guy says in that same biting, dismissive tone.
My skin pricks at how embarrassed I am right now. My shoulders hunch, the urge to shrink into myself hitting me hard.
“Maybe you should shut the hell up and mind your own business,” Camden says.
Chapter 7
Ellie
Camden’s hard tone is a shock to my system. I look up and see him standing off to the side, glaring at the rude guy in line behind me.
I stare at him, eyes wide. I’m not used to hearing him sound so…pissed off. Or looking this pissed off.
His normally smiling face is twisted into a cruel expression. I turn and finally get a look at the guy heckling me in line.
He’s a middle-aged guy who’s frowning at Camden.
“Excuse me?” the guy says. “Why don’t you mind your own business, buddy.”
Camden steps up to the guy. The guy’s annoyed expression instantly melts away as he stumbles back. Probably because he’s just now registering the angry look on Camden’s face. And the fact that Camden is so much bigger than him too.
My mouth parts open, stunned at the image in front of me: sweet and goofy Camden glowering like he’s ready to punch this guy out. All because he was rude to me.
My heart pounds, and my skin tingles.
The guy holds up a hand. “Hang on?—”
Camden shakes his head, cutting him off. “Apologize to my friend for being a rude asshole. Now.”
The guy turns to me. “S-Sorry.” Then he scurries off, disappearing down a random aisle of the store.
The pharmacy technician flashes a thumbs-up at Camden, then heads to the back.
Camden turns to me. The hard look on his face fades instantly. His brow knits and his blue eyes shine with concern as he looks at me.
“You okay?” His voice is soft and gentle. It makes my entire body go warm.
I nod, unable to speak. I’m too shocked at how quickly he was able to shift from pissed-off protector to concerned friend.
