“That’s what you said the last time.”
She grumbled before saying, “Times are hard, ya know?”
He closed his eyes as he walked to his bike. “How much?”
“Can I ged two thousand?”
“No.”
“How ’bout fifteen hun’erd?”
His fingers came up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “How ’bout five hundred?”
“Five hun’erd won’t pay my rent!”
It was hard to tell if her outrage was real or manufactured. “I’m not giving you any more money. Tell me where you’re staying and I’ll pay the rent this month.”
“Doan’ need that. I need muney!”
“The most I’ll do for you is pay your rent.”
She cursed and hung up. Cam closed the screen on his phone and tucked it into his back pocket with shaking hands. This was not the first time she’d called him for money and probably wouldn’t be the last.
The familiar helplessness washed over him. Urges to fix his sister coupled with the knowledge that there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about this situation. He didn’t know where he was on the list, before or after his foster brothers, but Tammie would hit them up too. Rehab had been a condition once, and to her credit, she’d tried it and stayed clean for a few months, but it didn’t last.
On impulse, he pulled out his phone again and dialed Sabrina.
“Hey, sugar. What’s up?”
Her bright voice brought an instant relief to his troubled mind. “Got any free time this afternoon?”
“You mean for an appointment? Hold on.”
Clicking keys told him she was at the front desk looking up the spa calendar. “Yup. My three o’clock canceled. If you want to come see me here, that’s fine, but I can do you at home later.”
Home.He loved hearing that word come from her lips. “I need you now.”
“Sure, sweetheart. See you in a bit.”
Cam Ubered to Sunstone Healing,as his arm wasn’t healed enough to ride. The bookstore was nothing more than a burnt-out shell, making it an eyesore in the strip of businesses. Crossman told him in private that Brianna’s insurance claims were met with resistance from the company and she also had a lot of grief in her home life. He talked about the girl a lot, and it seemed that he had an interest in the bookstore owner. Cam wished them both well.
An ashy smell still permeated the air as he walked into the spa. Cicely stood at the counter, examining her short nails withtheir bright pink polish. She gave him an obvious fake smile. “She’ll be done with her client in about twenty minutes. I can do you.”
“I’ll wait.”
The woman’s smile dropped, and she huffed, “Suit yourself.”
Cam sat down in one of the chairs and did his best not to replay the short phone conversation he’d just had with Tammie. It was the same one, repeated every so often when his past came back to haunt him. He thought he’d slain those demons, but every once in a while, he’d have to pull out his sword and do it again.
After getting off the phone with her, he needed some fresh air and a long ride, but not with his arm still in a cast. When spring came around, he planned to load up his gear and take Sabrina on a long camping trip. He pictured the two of them riding the Allegheny National Forest Loop or exploring Amish country around Lancaster. As he sat in the waiting area, he hoped his plans worked out. At the present, his emotions had his shoulders in knots and his legs so tight they hurt. He thought about the relief her hands could bring him. His need for this was so tangible, he had to force himself to sit still.
A blonde woman bounced down the hallway, all grins and giggles. “I feel soooo good now! Two weeks?”
“I got it.” Sabrina appeared right behind her, and Cam felt his back easing a bit just from seeing her. She waved at him and winked. That one gesture made everything right in his world. At least for now.
Sabrina presented the terminal for the woman to tap her card and confirmed the regular appointment. Cam admired the professional way she handled herself. Their relationship was still budding, and he wanted to see a full bloom soon. In order for that to happen, all cards had to be on the table. Would this be the best time?
He hoped so.
