Page 44 of Penalty to the Heart

Nor does he want it to.

Not if it means accepting living without him.

I get it.

God, help me, I get it.

So, even though Caleb showed me yesterday that he’s reluctant to accept my help, I’m the one who needs to stubbornly keep offering it.

Caleb Donovan will not be a lost cause.

Not on my watch.

Feeling more confident in my skills, I begin to meticulously plan today’s therapy session with the goal of demonstrating the benefits of therapy to him. If I can get him to recognize and acknowledge where he’s struggling the most, then I’ll be able to build from there.

Luckily for me, I have his session scheduled at five, making it the last one of the day, which gives me ample time to get into the right mindset.

But as five o’clock comes and passes, I can’t help feeling disappointed that he doesn’t show up.

Damn it.

I knew yesterday had gone badly, but I never thought he’d flake on our session.

When I glance over at my watch again and see it’s a quarter to six, I stand up from behind my desk and open the office door to the waiting area.

“Has he called at least?”

“No, Dr. Seymour.” Lisa, the receptionist, shakes her head.

“Okay,” I mutter in defeat. “Then there’s no use waiting any longer. Might as well call it a night.”

Lisa is quick to log off her computer and pick up her belongings to leave.

“Goodnight, Dr. Seymour.”

“Good night, Lisa,” I smile in an effort to hide my disappointment.

Trent will not be pleased when he learns that Caleb was a no-show today. Not in the slightest. And when Trent doesn’t get his way… well, let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be in Caleb’s shoes.

Defiance isn’t exactly a trait he tolerates in his players.

In fact, aside from Piper, I doubt he tolerates it from anyone.

I’ll have Lisa call Caleb in the morning before I’m forced to tell Trent that he didn’t attend today’s session. Hopefully, he’ll do the smart thing and reschedule.

If not… If Caleb is adamant never to return… then there really isn’t much I can do.

No one can force someone to undergo therapy if they really don’t want to, no matter how much Trent manipulates or bullies them into it. Just because it worked with one of his players—Nathan Wilder comes to mind—doesn’t mean it will work with all of them.

I should feel a sense of relief that I’m off the hook with helping Caleb, but I don’t.

In fact, I’m worried.

Worried for a young man who is so adrift in his misery that he can no longer see his way to shore. Who knows what he might do to curb the agony he’s feeling.

Feeling discouraged, I walk back into my office and quickly glance over tomorrow’s schedule, grateful to see most of my afternoon off.

I’m still staring at my computer screen when a light knock on my door pulls my focus from it.

---