by Jill Sanders
After the tenth call, he’d walked into his small office and shut the system down. That unlocked all the digital locks and allowed everyone to come and go as they needed.
He spent the rest of his time up until lunch trying to reset the entire system and testing it out on a few locks himself. By the time he took a break for lunch, he believed he had it all figured out and was once again ready to turn the system back on.
“So, are you done locking everyone out today?” Aubrey said, standing next to him in the lunch line. “When Brett’s around, security is so tight, no one can get into anything.” She laughed at her joke.
He rolled his eyes. “You should be a comedian,” he said dryly.
“There he is, our man Brett. Keeping the camp safe from everyone, even the ones who work here,” someone else jeered.
By the time Lea found him sitting with the rest of his friends, he’d heard more than a dozen jokes, all as lame as the one before.
“Don’t mind them,” Lea said quietly. “You’re the new guy. They always find something to hold over the new employees’ heads. Even though they’ve known you forever, maybe especially since they know you. I think that they’re just jealous.”
“Of?” He laughed.
“That you have the ultimate power. To decide who works and who gets to stand around.” She smiled as she took a bite of her salad.
He knew she was joking, just like the rest of them, only Lea’s words made him smile brighter. Then he looked down at her plate and the small salad she always ate.
“Don’t you eat anything besides salads?” he asked her. “How do you expect to keep up your energy?” She narrowed her eyes and then reached over to take a few of his French fries. “That’ll help,” he said, dumping another handful of them onto her plate. “A little,” he said with a smile.
“So, outside of the little glitch, how is your first day?” Lea asked between fries.
“Honestly, it’s nothing like I imagined and yet everything I envisioned it would be.” He took the last bite of his lunch.
“Good? Bad?” Lea asked, her eyes scanning his face.
Reaching over, he took her hand in his and squeezed softly. “Good. All good.”
“That’s… good,” she said and seemed to relax.
It appeared as though she’d been really nervous that he wouldn’t like the job. He couldn’t describe how wonderful that made him feel.
So far, he hadn’t worked up the guts to tell Lea how much he enjoyed being with her, spending his nights with her wrapped around him. Waking up to her rushing around and getting ready for work.
Each day that he went to therapy, she was sending him encouraging text messages or just asking how it went.
He was quickly becoming addicted to her presence. At this point, he couldn’t imagine a day without being near her.
Here it was, almost three months since he’d been shot. His skin had healed within the first week, and the scar was now just a thick white line on his thigh. According to the latest X-ray, his bone was almost completely healed as well. It was the muscle and nerve damage that he still struggled with. The soreness kept him from walking too far or standing too long.
Physical therapy helped, as did the classes at the camp that Lea convinced him to sign up for. He’d never taken yoga before, but after the last two weeks in Elle’s class, his leg and body felt better than they had in years.
“So, when is your last day at the hospital?” he asked her, changing the subject.
She bit her bottom lip and sort of cringed before answering. “I’m thinking of putting in my resignation next week.”
“When will you be able to open the doors to PPMC?”
She pushed her salad plate aside, and he noted there was still a little more than half her salad left, but she’d eaten all the fries he’d given her.
“Not for a few months. I’ll need the free time in my schedule to oversee the construction and order supplies. Not to mention hiring staff.” She pulled out her phone and looked down at the list he’d helped her create.
Placing his hand over hers, he waited until he had her full attention. “There’s plenty of time. No need to stress.”
Just then her phone went off in her hands. She glanced at the message.
“Sorry, I have a call.” She stood up suddenly.
“I should get back to it too,” he agreed.
He followed her out as they dropped off their dirty dishes.
The second part of his first day went a lot smoother than the first. Now that all the locks were working smoothly, he spent his time walking around and readjusting some of the security cameras, making sure the angles showed the areas that needed it the most. Some of them had been turned completely away from key areas.
By the end of his first day, he was not only more excited about the job than he had been before, but he was positive it was the best move he could have made for himself and for his future with Lea.
Chapter 19
Lea could tell that Brett was enjoying working at the camp. Each day that she worked there with him, she could see his transformation from strict cop to relaxed camp security guard.
She worried that he was overtaxing his leg and often said so. She feared she was nagging him too much, but each night as they laid together in bed, she watched him rub his sore muscles.
She tried to convince him to go in and have either Andrea or Kara give him massages, but each time she brought it up, he acted strangely.
The closer her friendship with Kara got, the more she came to understand why. Kara was a flirt. Of course, the woman had made it very clear to Lea that she thought they were a cute couple, but maybe Brett was concerned that Lea would be the jealous type.
She wasn’t. Not really. But at this point, she didn’t mind Brett not knowing that. Besides, he was doting on her as all new boyfriends should. Or at least as she’d always dreamed they would.
They spent most nights together, except for when she worked a double shift. She’d been trying to work more hours leading up to her quitting.
Her stomach hurt each time she thought of not having that reliable paycheck each month. But she knew that if she did things right, she’d be making far more soon enough. Besides, her work at the camp was steady and something she didn’t plan on giving up. No matter what. Even if she had to cut back her hours or have guests shuttled to her new location, she was going to make a point to continue helping Elle and the rest of her friends out.
Even Sanjay had backed off from his flirting after Brett had showed up to have lunch with her one day. Brett had let it slip out that they were living together, even though, technically, he still had his apartment and stayed there at least twice a week.
It was nice not having to contend with sneaking through the halls of the hospital in fear of running into Sanjay any longer, which had grown old.
In the last hour of her double shift, she’d dealt with a drowning victim, a male in his late sixties who hadn’t made it, and a pedestrian who had been involved in a hit and run. He was now recovering from a broken pelvis, two broken legs, and a concussion. He also had road burns over a third of his body.
She was so exhausted when she walked out of the hospital that she didn’t register what she was seeing at first.
Her car was parked in the back parking lot, which was reserved for medical staff and doctors. Each doctor had their own parking spot, marked by a white sign with their name on it. This was to make it easy for them to get into the hospital quickly for emergencies when they were on call. The last thing a doctor wanted to do was search for a parking spot when they were trying to save lives.
The sun wasn’t fully up yet, and in the early morning fog, she had to blink a few times to make sure her eyes were working properly.
She’d purchased the Tesla Model Y almost a year ago and loved the car, not only because she didn’t have to buy gas but because it was fast, sporty, and sexy as hell. She’d decided on the car after she’d driven Dylan’s Tesla a few times.
<
br /> Now, however, her white paint was covered with bright red words so full of hate, her eyes teared up.
Die gook rat. Go back where you came from. Gook rodent rat. All were completed with several spelling mistakes and scribbled boldly all over her white paint.
“Oh my god!” someone exclaimed behind her, causing her to jump and scream. “Dr. Val, it’s me, Robin.” One of the nurses she’d worked side by side with for the past few hours rushed up to her and wrapped her arms around her. “Are you okay?”
“I…” She blinked a couple of times and took several deep breaths. “I’m fine.”
“That’s your car?” Robin said, giving Lea a look that told her that she already knew the answer.
“Yes,” Lea said softly.
“I’ll call the police.” Robin took out her phone.
Lea walked over and opened her car. She took a few seconds to appreciate that at least they hadn’t smashed any windows or lit the thing on fire. She slid into her seat and tapped the screen. Within seconds she had sent the footage to Tesla and watched on the screen as two men approached her car.
She could easily tell that it was Robbie Dixon and Larry Ryan, complete with face masks that didn’t hide their faces very well. The men rushed drunkenly around her car and spray-painted the terrible words. Then, for good measure, they pissed on her driver’s door and kicked it a couple of times, causing a dent that she hadn’t even known was there until she’d looked closer.
While Robin was on the phone with the police, she called Brett and told him what had happened.
Shortly after, two officers that she’d seen before arrived. Brett parked his car behind hers and rushed out to wrap his arms around her.
“Are you okay?” he asked. Just having his arms around her made her feel steadier.
“I am now,” she said into his chest.
“Come on, I’ll take you home. Rick and Mary can wait for the tow truck,” he said over her shoulder.
She glanced back at her car, knowing that her insurance would pay to have it returned to its former glory. But at this point, everything was tainted. Just like how her fear and anxiety spiked every time she stepped into a Whataburger now.
When she got her car back, would she ever be able to drive it again without seeing those hateful red words on the sides?
They rode back across Pelican Bay in silence. She closed her eyes, not wanting to let the foggy morning drag her down any further. Tears stung her eyes as he parked in her driveway.
“Why don’t you put in your resignation a little early?” Brett asked. “So you can stick closer in town.”
Her first instinct was to shake her head and tell Brett that she needed the extra money and hours, but then she realized it wasn’t true. She’d saved up far more than she would need to open her place. Especially since she planned on continuing working at the camp while she waited to open the doors to her clinic.
She wasn’t scheduled to work at the camp that day, but since she didn’t want to be left alone, she turned to Brett and said. “Do you have time for me to shower? I’d like to go with you to work today.”
He opened his mouth, then shut it quickly and nodded.
“Sure. I’ll let Elle know what happened and that we’ll be there a little late.” He pulled out his phone as he followed her inside.
She stood under the hot water and let everything from her double shift rinse off with the water. Her muscles relaxed as the water flowed over her.
Since it wasn’t a workday for her, she figured she’d bring her swimsuit and lie by the pool. Maybe she’d even see if Kara or Andrea could fit her in for a massage.
The moment they parked in the camp’s parking lot, she was surrounded by friends and engulfed in hugs from people she knew cared as much about her as her family did.
Family. She’d have to call her parents. Her sister. Tell them what had happened and warn them about the men who were hell-bent on hurting her.
First, though, she needed her friends.
“Are you okay?” Aubrey asked.
“Yes.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “It was just my car.”
“Just?” Hannah said, squeezing Lea’s hand. “A Tesla isn’t just a car,” she said with a weak smile.
“No, but it was just the paint and a few scratches. It should be fixed soon enough. I’m having a rental…” She started but shook her head when her throat closed up.
“Come on. What we need are chocolate donuts and mimosas by the pool.” Elle took Lea’s hand, then stopped and looked at Brett. “We’ve got her. You can go on.”
Brett’s eyes met hers and Lea nodded.
“Thanks,” she mouthed as she was pulled in a different direction.
She followed her friends to the pool deck and took a seat at one of the empty tables. At this time of the morning, there were only a handful of guests sitting around the pool.
Elle took charge and ordered a round of mimosas while Hannah ordered a platter of donuts and muffins.
The mimosa helped curb the rest of her nerves, and she relaxed in the shade while her friends chatted about work and how quickly Paige was growing.
Her friends talked about everything else to keep her mind from what had just happened, and it worked.
She sat around the pool, eating and drinking sugary treats and laughing at stories Scarlett told about her and Levi.
Brett’s and Levi’s senses of humor were a lot alike. Then again, Levi had only been a grade below them and had followed Aiden and Brett around in school.
It wasn’t until the third round of mimosas were ordered that Aubrey asked what had happened.
While Lea explained how she’d walked out and found the hate message written on her car, she avoided everyone’s eyes. For as long as she’d been friends with the ladies, not once had they talked about racism.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” Elle said, taking her hand. “Just know that we are here. If you want to increase your hours here to cut back your hours there, we’re all for it. We know you’re about to put in your resignation so you can start focusing on your own place. Whatever you decide, we’re here for you.”
Several others of her friends nodded in agreement.
“Thanks,” she said, feeling her heart swell with love and friendship.
“But today is not about decisions or work,” Aubrey chimed in with a smile. “If all has gone well, Andrea has shifted her schedule and has a whole hour carved out just for you. You’re going to spend the entire day relaxing by the pool, getting a massage, and spending it with…” She nodded over her head, and they all watched as Zoey strolled towards them.
“Someone else who needs a day off,” Elle added.
“Okay, I’m here wearing a swimsuit.” Zoey stopped by the table, “Do you know how hard it was to find a suit to squeeze my out-of-shape ass into?” She sat down when her sister Scarlett nudged her into the chair and handed her a glass of orange juice. “What’s all this?” Zoey asked.
“You are taking your very first mommy’s day off. And since Lea needs a day as well, the two of you will be keeping each other company,” Scarlett said cheerfully.
“I…” Zoey started to get up, but the look from her friends had her sitting back down.
Aubrey nudged Lea under the table and then motioned towards Zoey.
“Uh, right.” Lea thought quickly. “After the morning I just had, I could sure use some company.”
“What?” Zoey turned to her and ran her eyes over Lea’s face. “Did something happen?”
For the next half hour, Lea explained what had happened again, while the rest of the friends headed off to work.
Whatever they had planned, it was nice not having to spend the entire day alone.
Less than an hour later, Kara and Andrea stopped by and gathered both women for their dual massages.
The drinks were making Lea feel nice and relaxed, and Zoey seemed to have a lot to chat about. She filled her in on everything Paige, how the baby was holding her he
ad up and smiling and laughing.
Lea thought about someday having her own children. She’d always known she’d wanted kids. Much later in life. After she’d become a very successful doctor.
Which she supposed she was at this point. Well, not successful, but… once she had her practice, she figured that was as close as she wanted to get.
Every time she closed her eyes and tried to relax, blood-red letters with a hateful message flashed behind her eyes. So she kept her eyes open as Kara massaged the rest of the tension away.
By the time they stepped back out to the pool area, the morning fog had burned off and the sun was beating down, warming everything up.
After a soothing dip in the pool, they found some lounge chairs and sat back to relax.
“It’s going to be a hot one,” Zoey said, shifting to get comfortable on the lounge chair.
“Yeah, it’s official, summer is here,” Lea said with a sigh.
“Okay, I can’t stand it. I know Scarlett warned me not to call, but I just have to check in on Paige,” Zoey said, pulling out her cell phone.
Lea chuckled. “I won’t tell.” She waved her hand and headed to the bar to get them some water. All that sugar was wreaking havoc on her system.
Stepping up to the bar, she spotted Damion Wells heading her way.
“Morning.” The man smiled at her and leaned against the bar. “I just ran into Brett, and he told me what happened. How are you holding up?”
She took a sip of her water and shrugged. Damion wasn’t the only other non-white person that worked at the camp—there were a handful of others—but Damion was the only one she’d known since school.
“This helps.” She motioned to the pool area. “Zoey and I have been keeping each other company.”
“That’s good,” Damion said with a sigh. “Brett says that he’ll know the moment they catch the guys. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about here.”
