“Here,” Sawyer said, setting a drink and some food in front of me and drawing me out of my thoughts. “Don’t you tell me you aren’t hungry. You need to eat something.”
I simply gave her a look that made her return one with a glare. “Eat. Or I’ll have you jog with me twice a day instead of once.”
“Fine,” I huffed, knowing she would, too.
“You got her to jog?” Ace asked, surprised.
“Yeah, just this week we started. Dr. Mayes is after us both about using more than just our pretty brains to help heal us. So I came up with the idea of jogging. A friend’s uncle is helping us learn some self-defense. Well, mostly her,” she pointed at me. “But I’ll do whatever to keep her going. She’s stuck with me.”
“Yes, Sean, right?” Ace asked, his eyes bearing into me. I ignored his look. I assumed that Sawyer nodded. “He’s a good choice. I’d have set that up sooner if I’d had known you were interested.”
I shrugged, holding in my words. I didn’t need these two men to set things up for me. I had it handled.
“How did you two meet?” Caesar asked when I wouldn’t contribute to the conversation.
“I ran into her,” she shrugged as I picked at my food. “We live right next door to each other.”
“I thought no one else lived on that floor,” he said, turning towards Ace.
“Except for a girl who would pose no threat.” Ace lifted a shoulder like it wasn’t a big deal. “She was safe.Issafe.”
“Eat,” Zevon whispered to me.
Slowly, I took a bite of the hot dog, even though I didn’t want to. I was only able to manage half of it before I called it quits. Every once in a while, Sawyer would shoot me encouraging looks.
My phone, which I had stuffed into my front pocket of my jean shorts, vibrated against my hip. I ignored it, knowing exactly who it was.
“So how long are you two going to be around?” Zevon asked, the words catching my attention.
“A couple of days. I understand that I need to meet my daughter’s head doctor,” Caesar answered. “We’re staying in a hotel, so you don’t have to worry about us, Scarlett.”
“Kay,” I breathed. That thought hadn’t crossed my mind yet.
“Her next appointment is tomorrow morning at nine,” Zevon supplied, knowing I certainly wouldn’t.
“And when are you leaving?” Ace asked.
“After. I’ll be tagging along with her tomorrow.”
A soft sigh escaped my lips, knowing that if I panicked, he’d likely be the only one who would be able to bring me out of it. I knew it’d happen if Caesar were to go. I had been hoping to put that off for as long as possible.
“You two are close,” Caesar hinted, his eyes bouncing back. “Well, the three of you really. Glad you have some friends in your corner.”
All I could do was shrug.
“You need friends,” he said.
“You look like you’re doing pretty well here, though,” Ace said.
“I am,” I said, meeting his eyes. I tried to ignore Caesar, who perked up slightly. “I’m trying.”
“I can tell.”
Those three words hit me just right, and I had to blink back tears. Even though half the time I didn’t feel like my trying was making a difference, it really was. I knew Ace wouldn’t just tell me to lift me up unless it were true.
By the time I got back to my apartment a couple of hours later, I was done with people and being social. Even without having the impromptu visit from two family members, I would have been worn out anyway. I could feel my skin crawling with impending doom. Anxiety sat just beneath the carefully placed emotions I had under lock and key.
“I’m...going to go lie down for a bit. My social status is at max right now.” The words were spoken tiredly. I was done being around people, talking, and just being there. I needed to recharge.
