Page 37 of In You
"I want to go to bed." I sniff again, feeling a tear slide down my cheek.
"I know, sweetheart," Caleb says calmly, his dark gaze roaming my face. "We're almost done." He gives my fingertips a slight squeeze then turns his face to Dr. Richardson, but I bury mine in Tink's fur.
"Camilla," Dr. Richardson says quietly.
"No," I whisper.
"Camilla, will you please look at me? Please?" Dr. Richardson implores in a soft voice.
Though I don't want to give him any more of my attention, I peek up, eyeing him warily. "Don't you understand that I don't want to talk anymore?"
He gives me a gentle smile. "I know, and you don't have to as our evaluation is over. But, I just wanted to let you know that I'm about to write you a prescription for some anxiety medicine, and something to help you sleep at night, okay? And I'll see you again next month."
I nod, keeping the blanket clutched in my hand. "Okay, bye."
He gives me a kind smile. "Good-bye, Camilla. It was nice to meet you."
I turn my face away.
He and my Savior walk away, and I slip down on the couch, pull the blanket over my face, and drift off to sleep with Tink in my arms.
14
I Did What I Came To Do
Caleb
AlexanderandIwalkout onto the porch. Now that I'm in the fresh air, I tilt my head down and take a deep, steadying breath. It's been a very long day watching Tamryn's being questioned, and witnessing the exhaustion clouding her features as the hours went on.
"I'm sorry about that," he says with an apologetic look. "Normally I'd break this up over a couple days. But seeing as we don't have much time, and you won't bring her to me…" he trails off.
I nod, clearing my throat of the uncomfortable lump in it and then reach for my cigarettes.
"Fuck, I'm gunna get lung cancer," I mutter, lighting the tip. Not that I'm really worried about it, but it's a nagging thought at times when I know I've been smoking too much.
It's the stress.
I groan on my first inhale, tilting my head back and cracking my neck. Just thinking about the unfairness of life. Pinning him with a look, I hold the case out to him wordlessly. Surprisingly he takes one, turning his back to the yard and then lighting it. His jaw works as he inhales, and we smoke in silence for a few minutes, just contemplating the entire fucking day.
"I don't mean to pry, and I'd like you to know that I'm only asking in a strictly professional sense, but…" he trails off, blowing a plume of smoke to the side. "Are you sleeping with her?"
I blink, not expecting that question. "Not right now, no."
Alexander nods, shifting so he can flick his ash over the railing. He pins me with that cold-as-ice blue eyed stare and then squints a little. "Do you plan on it?"
I frown. "Well, yeah," I say gruffly, bringing a hand to rake through my hair. "I mean, I'd hoped to be able to." I give him a stare of my own. "Why're you asking?"
A muscle ticks in his jaw as the wheels spin, and I can almost hear the thoughts as they whizz past before he plucks one out he thinks won't be offensive. "Camilla's very…fragile."
I snort humorlessly, giving him a rueful shake of my head. "No shit, Sherlock. I didn't need your fancy fucking degree to tell me what common sense did."
"You know what I mean, Caleb," he says, his voice turning hard.
My throat works on a swallow and I inhale deeply, flicking the butt of my cigarette towards the can I stash to the side for it and then place my palms flat on the railing just contemplating.
"What would you do if you were me?"
"It doesn't matter." He tilts his head, his eyes tight on me. "I did what I came to do, Caleb."
