Page 3 of The Player Penalty
“She’s secretly dating her brother’s biggest enemy, and he has no idea. The whole thing will be a disaster when it comes out.” My eyes grow big because this is interesting. Usually, no one bothers telling me anything. “You like that, do you?”
“Keep going.”
He chuckles. “Nothing happens around here without me knowing. Okay, there’s more. Boone Rivers thinks he’s scary, but his girlfriend gives him orders, and he runs off to do it like some loser puppy dog.”
“I think that’s sweet.” My father has said nearly the same thing.
“Boone’s pit crew sneaks out for drinks and keeps it hidden from the boss because he disapproves. Wood, one of his pit crew members, is seeing someone in accounting. Also, before you ask, that’s his real name. Like a stump of wood.”
“They named him that on purpose?” I frown, feeling pity for someone I have never met.
Julian raises his hand. “That’s what I said. Oh, also, one more thing. This whole place would fall apart if it weren’t for me. No one knows it, but I’m the critical piece that makes this operation work.”
He speaks lightly, but a part of him believes it. Julian’s claim also happens to be opposite my father’s. I finally laugh for the first time since walking through the front door.
“That means I’m lucky to know you, doesn’t it?” I ask.
“Especially if this means you accept my friendship offer.”
One piece of advice my therapist gave me was to pretend something was true while I worked on actually believing it. This way, our actions can create the desired outcome. Julian isn’t my friend; he’s friendly. Nice. “Friendship offer formally accepted.”
He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and smiles. It’s a convincing smile. “Then let’s kick my ass tomorrow and go practice with real go-karts. I’ll buy you lunch after.”
∞∞∞
“It sounds like an adventurous first day,” Dr. Lambert says. “You were anxious about this job the last time we met. Do you feel the same way?”
After the first meeting with Dr. Lambert, I wanted to be a psychiatrist. She struck me as sophisticated and worldly, everything I wasn’t. She still doesn’t know that, and she never will. Like all others, those professional plans faded after a few months.
“Yes, a little. I’m not scared anymore, not like I was before. Sarah regularly asks for my help, which is nice.”
Dr Lambert nods and tucks a strand of wavy hair behind her ear. I copy her as a silent reminder not to pull my hair. That habit is broken, and it will stay that way.
“Dad enjoys having me there,” I say because I know this question is coming. “He asked if I wanted to join him for some weekend races.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I would think about it. There’s no point; I’d rather study for school right now. Plus, the program starts in the fall.”
“Have you told him yet?”
He’ll worry about me like he always does. “Not yet.”
Dr. Lambert leans forward, which means my homework is about to come. “Here’s your assignment for next time. Tell your father what you plan. Can you do that?”
“I think so.”
“How’s your medication? We discussed increasing your dose last time. Have you made a decision yet?”
I hesitated last time, like I always do. Every increase is a reminder there is something wrong with me. Julian Murphy thinks I’m weird, and my father believes I can’t handle an actual job.
My big fear is that they’re both correct. I swallow. “Can we increase my dosage and see what happens?”
Dr. Lambert smiles like I knew she would. “That’s a great idea. I’ll send the prescription out today.”
2-Lily
I scan my email and find nothing but spam and a shipping notification. Business notifications, especially job offers, aren’t sent at seven in the morning, yet I still keep checking. The school year is more than a month away, so it’s foolish to expect them to contact me so soon. That doesn’t stop my quaking nerves. This job may only be another internship, but it’s the one I want.
