Page 74 of Playing the Game
I want to argue, but the pain has the best of me. “Fine. I’m giving in this once because I can barely see straight.”
“Are you that sore?” She eyes me hard. “I knew I should’ve made you take your medicine.”
I hold myself as stiff as possible, careful not to move too fast as I shuffle to the sofa. “The medicine you gave me was all I wanted or needed.”
“Jami, I won’t do that again if you don’t start following your discharge orders.”
“Got it, Doc.” I take a minute to get settled.
She hurries to me with my painkillers in tow, along with some soda and crackers. “I’ll make you dinner, but eat this first so you have something in your stomach. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Sounds good.” I slam my medication down with my drink. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” Her brows pinch together, and she sits beside me.
“Us.” A stabbing pain digs into my chest. I gasp and hold my breath until it passes. “I’m ready for this misery to be over with.”
“Just take it easy for a minute.” Her face tightens with concern. “You meant the misery from your wound, right?”
“Yes. I’m happy with us, but we need to have a serious discussion.”
“I know we do.”
“In that case, you go first while these painkillers kick in.”
She pushes into the corner of the couch and brings up herlegs, hugging them at her knees. “I haven’t been honest with you about something.”
My thoughts go to Hunter. I shake my head and bear down on my teeth. “Tell me what you need to say.”
“It’s not that I was trying to hide this from you, but I didn’t want you to worry.” She glances out my sliding glass doors. “I didn’t take an extended leave. I was fired.”
That was not what I expected.
My eyes round, and my brain loses all thought-processing capabilities. “What?”
She faces me with flaming red cheeks. “Someone turned in pictures of Hunter and me to the board. They fired me for breach of contract.”
I have nothing to say. She knew this would be the consequence if she were found out, but I won’t lecture her when it’s probably killing her inside.
I soften my tone. “Why did you keep this from me?”
“Because I’m embarrassed.” She lowers her head.
“Oh, sweetness. Come here.” I open my arms wide, ignoring the pain shooting in all directions.
She peeks up with glossy eyes. “I want you to hold me, but not when I know you’re hurting.”
“Fuck the pain, Dori. Come over here and let me take care of you.”
She assesses me momentarily, and then carefully cuddles up to my good side. “Thank you. I need this.”
I slide my arm around her shoulders. “You don’t need to thank me, just lean on me.”
“I would’ve told you when it happened, but you had just woken up. I didn’t want you to think about anything but getting better.”
“You’ve been out of work for two weeks?”
“Yes.” She looks up at me. “You and Melanie are the only ones who know.”
