Page 83 of Penalty to the Heart

“Fine.” He groans. “Bill me all you want. Now that you’re on my time, can we please talk about what a shitty job you’re doing with Donovan? He’s been more contemptuous than usual.”

“Excuse me?” I laugh. “Please don’t tell me that you’re honestly trying to pin Caleb’s insolence on me? You knew exactly who he was when you signed him on.”

“So it’s on me that I gave the kid a shot because his brother asked me to?” He scoffs.

“Yes, it is. Jack might have pulled some strings to give Caleb a chance at the big leagues, but you’re the one who decided to keep him on. And you know why you did that? Because he’s just as talented as his brother. So, as I see it, whatever Caleb did that got you this riled up is as much on you as it is on him.”

“Roxanne,” he lets out a frustrated exhale. “Please don’t give me shit. I need your help here.”

I decide to take pity on him when worry lines begin to crease his forehead.

“Very well. What has Caleb done now?”

“He fired Piper.”

“Ah, of course.” I smile, finally connecting the dots. “Now I get it. Caleb fired his agent—which many players do—but since she is the infamous Piper Lee and your girlfriend, you’ve taken offense to it.”

“I’ve taken more than offense to it. I’m livid.”

“I can tell. That nasty vein on your forehead looks ready to pop,” I tease.

“How can you be so nonchalant about this? I just told you he fired Piper.”

“Yes, I heard you the first time.”

“That’s it?” He retorts in astonishment. “That’s all you have to say to me? I thought you told me he’s been more receptive about taking therapy seriously.”

“And he has. In his own way,” I reply without giving him too much insight of our sessions.

“In his own way? What does that even mean? Because from where I’m sitting, it’s as if the kid is determined to alienate everyone who cares about him and burn every bridge he’s ever built. Pardon me for doubting the effectiveness of his therapy sessions, especially after witnessing his recent self-destructive behavior.”

“Take a breath, Trent. Caleb would not have fired Piper without good reason. I know his behavior might be a bit volatile at the moment, but something must have triggered him to act in such a way.”

When Trent grows silent, I know he’s not telling me the whole story.

“Trent? What did you do?” I ask, unbothered by the accusation in my tone.

“Me? Why do you assume the issue is with me?”

“Because there is a flicker of guilt in your black eyes that says you feel responsible for Piper having been laid off as Caleb’s agent. I’ll be the first to apologize if I’m wrong, but don’t think I am.”

“You always have had a keen eye,” he grumbles, uncomfortable with how well I know him. “I might have had something to do with it. Yes.”

“That’s what I thought. So what did you do?”

“My job, Roxanne. That’s what I did. My fucking job. The better question is, what are you going to do?”

“Me?” I place my hand on my chest. “How did your mistake suddenly revert to me?”

“Because you’re the one who was given the task to help Caleb. To stop him from self-imploding altogether.”

“But that’s just it. Caleb has yet to reach his limit of self-ruin,” I state plainly.

“Excuse me?” Trent questions in shock. “Are you seriously telling me I should expect much worse from him? Worse than firing Piper?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” I reply patiently. “You see, you were right about your earlier assessment of Caleb. His survivor’s guilt is so strong that he doesn’t feel deserving of any type of joy in his life. Quite the contrary. He now expects, no… anticipates the opposite to occur. To him, life is unmerciful and unforgiving. So when something happens that proves his suspicions, he lashes out, happy to alienate everyone involved that triggered such confirmation.”

“I see,” Trent mumbles beside me, not one bit happy with my assessment.

---