Page 46 of Beyond Oblivion

Hazel made a face. “We’ve all got a little mental illness. You’re a prime example.”

I shot her a look.

She scoffed. “Bitch, please. I have anxiety, depression, ADHD, maladaptive daydreaming, and BPD. You don’t see me destroying people’s lives. I’m too busy hurting my own feelings. She’s young, but she’s not a kid anymore. It’s her responsibility to get healthy, whether it’s professional help, to medicate, or both.”

“What have you diagnosed me with?” I asked.

“I dunno, but it comes with stalkers.”

“Funny. So, I’ve got that video conference with Cal and what’s his name.” I pointed to Calvin’s computer.

“Sam something,” she said, standing and moving to the side so I could sit. “Cami would know.”

“She would. Fuck, I miss her,” I said, unable to keep the sadness from my voice. I clicked the mouse, tapped the space bar, and watched the screen flicker to life.

Hazel stopped in the doorway. “Trent.” I looked up to see the concern creating a deep line between her brows. “Why do you look worried?”

“It’s just… it’s a lot,” I admitted.

Hazel nodded, and for once, there wasn’t a joke at the ready. “Whatever you need, you know I’ve got you, right? We’ve all got you.”

“I appreciate that.”

After offering a just flicker of her usual smile, Hazel rounded the corner, heading for her room.

While I waited for Calvin and Sam to log on, I texted Camille to see if she was still at Dad’s. She immediately responded that she was, and my shoulders instantly relaxed. She was safe there. Whatever twisted, B-movie plot Maddie had cooked up for us, no one was getting past my dad.

I almost expected Ashton Kutcher to pop out at any moment. If it were some elaborate prank, Kostas deserved a fuckin’ Oscar. For a dude who owned a handful of small-town gyms, he knew the lingo and gave me updates like he was a professional—or had been one. He had contacts and knew all the right questions to ask. He definitely looked and moved like he could be private security… or something else. It made me wonder what he’d been up to before taking over IronE. Some kind of former military gig?

“Good morning,” Sam beamed, adjusting a tie that could double as a neon sign. His toothy, bleached grin dominated most of his too-tanned face, looking more like someone trying to sell me a timeshare than business sense.

“Morning.” I yawned, crossing my arms and perching them on the desk. “Cal’s gonna be late. He’s in Costa Rica and there’s a ten out of ten chance he’s hung over.”

Sam blinked, thrown off, but only momentarily. “Oh.” A nervous chuckle escaped him. “Well, then. Shall we get started? My fee’s hourly and trust me—I’m expensive.”

“Yeah, like whoever’s still tangled up in Cal’s sheets.” I grabbed a notepad, spinning a pen between my fingers. “Might as well get rolling. By the time he logs on, you’ll have earned enough to fix that janky veneer situation you’ve got going on.”

“Right,” Sam stammered. “Ahem, let’s kick this off with my background and how my deep expertise in your industry will revolutionize your company’s growth.”

I widened my eyes, nodding slowly. “Riveting stuff. Can’t wait,” I muttered as I scribbled a few lazy circles on the notepad.

Chapter Eleven

Camille

“Okay, travel safe now,” Jim said. He waved to Thomas and Liis with one hand, shielding his eyes from the bright, early morning sun with the other.

I helped him to his recliner, and then went to the kitchen to pour him a glass of sweet tea.

“It’s too bad they couldn’t stay. Taylor and Falyn will be here just in a few days,” he called to me.

“I know. It feels like they all keep missing each other. Did you tell Olive they’re coming in?”

“I did, she’ll be here after school. I know she’s been wanting to show Falyn her grade on that tri-fold project she had.”

“The one on the book Falyn suggested?” I asked, setting his glass on the small table next to his chair.

Jim chuckled. “Falyn helped her with the whole damn thing. Sent her graphics, research, talking points. Pretty cute how they’ve hit it off. As close as Olive is with Trenton, she’s Falyn’s mini me.”

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