Hunter took me through the rest of our day while we got the equipment ready for our first patient. She was a cheerful, middle-aged woman who worked hard, laughed a lot, and was a pleasure to have around. And exactly the kind of patient we’d lose if we went into private practice too soon.
I blew out a breath. The more Hunter and I talked about it, which was every damn day by now, the more I wanted it. All I had to do was figure out how I could make a deal with the hospital so I could keep helping our patients and theirs.
In the meantime, the situation with Craig hovered in the back of my mind. I couldn’t get over the feeling that he was planning something. I just didn’t know what.
Whatever it was though, it couldn’t be anything good. I needed to speak to April and warn her that he’d stopped by.
If he showed up at their next session, which he very well might, things could go south fast. Especially if he started spewing the same kind of shit he had this morning.
We had three more patients after Lisa before we had time for a short break. As soon as we were done with our last session, I headed to the office and called her.
“Hey, you,” she said. “You calling to cancel on me for dinner tonight?”
“I wouldn’t do that.” I grinned despite the uneasiness in my gut. “I’m still looking forward to it.”
“Did you call me just to tell me that?”
“No.” I ran a hand through my hair, gripping the nape of my neck. “I’m calling about Craig actually. He came by to pay me a visit this morning.”
There was a long pause on her end of the line. “What did he want?”
“He tried to threaten me. Did you say anything to him about us?”
“I haven’t spoken to him since the hospital.” Her voice was considerably cooler than it had been when she’d answered. “I don’t plan on speaking to him anytime soon either. What did he say?”
I gave her the highlights, then sighed. “I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Something doesn’t feel right with him.”
“Nothing has ever felt right with him.” She laughed but the sound was bitter. “Don’t worry about him, all right? He’s all hot air. He has no idea what he’s talking about. All he’s doing is reaching.”
“Yeah, I know.” But it wasn’t me I was worried about. “I can handle him, April. I just wanted to make sure I kept you in the loop.”
“I’ll see you tonight, Chris. Thanks for calling, but everything will be fine, okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you then. Say hi to Adi for me, okay?”
“Okay. Bye.”
After she hung up, I stood there with my phone in my hand for another minute. Something was wrong with Craig, but only time would tell what it was.
Well, time and making sure I’m there when the shit hits the fan.
Hunter had been right. This relationship could become a hell of a lot more complicated than I’d bargained for. But I was strangely okay with that.
Chapter 22
APRIL
Keeping my cool while I was on the phone with Chris was a hell of a lot more difficult than I’d made it sound. I was fuming by the time we hung up.
Craig still hadn’t called or texted to find out how Adi was doing, yet he somehow thought it was okay to show up at the hospital to threaten Chris? He forced our child onto the back of a motorcycle, injured her, and hadn’t bothered to see her or even inquire about her health after. Now this?
It was downright ridiculous. The audacity of the man practically had steam coming out of my ears.
Despite all the stuff that had gone down between us way back then, this was still a new low. Even for him.
After he caused her injury, I’d at least have expected a phone call. God forbid he actually offer to help me pay the medical bills—an expense we wouldn’t have had if not for him.
The bills might have been lower than I’d expected, but that didn’t change the facts. He hadn’t even asked how much it’d been. Besides, surely, he should’ve at least offered to chip in.
I’d learned my lesson with Craig a long time ago when it came to money, though. I hadn’t asked him for help with the medical bills, and I wouldn’t do so now.
Knowing that he wouldn’t help and that I was the silly one for even thinking