Page 27 of The Plan

Hazel shoots me a glare, and I smile innocently at her. “Why are you two here? Is this not a place of business?” Seriously, I don’t have time for this.

“Yes, this is a place of business.” Vidia turns to me accusingly. “A place where time should be respected.”

I let out a sigh and roll my eyes at her. I’m only ten minutes late; she’s dramatic as fuck.

“Don’t roll your eyes at her.”

I roll them again at Hazel this time more dramatically.

“August, why did your family adopt this backstabbing traitor?” She keeps her dark eyes on me, and August just stands there smiling. Like he finds this all amusing, and we’re just one big happy family.

“August,” I say, keeping my eyes on his menace, “why are you still with this b—”

“Sire.” From the corner of my eyes, I can see August’s smile drop as he cuts me off. “Watch your next words,” he says warningly, and Hazel smirks at me as she raises her eyebrows, challenging.Bitch. Both of them are.I bite my tongue and let out a sigh. Whatever.

“Can we just get this session over with?” I turn to Vidia now, who’s still working on her computer and still ignoring me.

“No,” someone whom I obviously wasn’t talking to answers. “I already informed you of her new policy. I’m sure—”

“Alright, enough, Hazel.” August chuckles as he tries to put a muzzle on her, but she won’t quit.

“I don’t get how you’re always late,” she goes on.

August closes the distance between them and steps in front of her so she can’t shoot glares into my skull anymore. “What’d I say?” His voice is low, and I expect Hazel to keep harassing me or push him out of her way, but she does neither. That’s a new one. A small smile creeps on my face at the way he can somehow do that.

I roll my eyes and look away from them when August snakes his hand around her throat and leans over to kiss her.Ugh. They’re so happy and in love. It’s gross. Hazel hops down from the bed and looks at me with a smirk, most likely at the disgust on my face from their interaction.

She hugs my brother's arm, and I glare at both of them. August is a whole foot, maybe a bit more, taller than Hazel, so she looks like a doll next to him. A mean, semi-scary doll… who’s my neighbor. Fun. August gives me a smile, but I roll my eyes at him and turn back to Vidia.

“You.” She stops typing for a second, knowing I’m talking to her. “Get off your ass and tell me what exercises to do. I don’t have time for this shit anymore. I have places to be.”

August and Hazel leave the room without another word, and Vidia gets up from her seat, finally turning to me. “Hazel wasn’t joking about my new policy. I already rescheduled your appointment. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“What?” That’s not an option. She can’t be serious right now.

“Do you need a hearing aid because we’re actually working on getting an Otolaryngologist in the office?”

I let out a scoff at the sharpness in her voice. I won’t be surprised if her words can cut. “Nice to see we’re back to fighting. Silly of me to think we had a moment the other day.” It’s the first time we’ve seen each other since she came to my NA meeting with me, and our switch is giving me whiplash.

Her eyes soften, but just a bit. She’s still a little spitfire. “Are you having a hard day?” She gets up from her seat but leans against her desk instead of closing the distance.

“Will you be nice to me and not make me reschedule if I tell you I wanted to use drugs today?” My words come out hopeful as I turn my head and give her a smile dripped with sarcasm. She rolls her eyes at me, but I answer her because of the sincerity of her question.

“I’ve been fine. I—”

“Good to hear. I’ll see you Wednesday.” Just like that, the wall is up between us again. I run my hand through my hair, feeling a headache coming. I cannot start my mornings like this. I think I might die.

“Come on, Vidia. Our game is in two weeks, and I won’t be able to play if we push back even one appointment.” With the way my physical therapy sessions are scheduled, my last session is the day before our first game instead of the week before because my stubborn ass missed those first four appointments with her.

“You should consider that when you show up late to every appointment. Seriously, Sire, you being late pushes back my entire day, and I’ve let it slide, but I’m not anymore. I’m behind on work, and I’m new to this office. How do you think—”

“Okay.” I cut her off from her rambling. “I won’t be late anymore,” I plead.

“Good.” A small beam of hope grows, but she snatches it away. “I’ll see you extra early on Wednesday. “

“Vidia,” I sigh in defeat and look up at the ceiling. “Please.” My eyes meet hers, and she looks like she’s thinking about it.

“I’ll bring you a piña colada for all of my next sessions.” It’s only about six more, but those are six of her favorite drinks. “Without the cherries on top,” I add, noticing her lip twitching, but her guard doesn’t come down.

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