Page 84 of Insidious Heart

I’m actually shocked that I’m not already. My shift ended at eleven and since I wasn’t outside waiting for Cal it’s amazing no one has come in here searching for me. Which is why I swat at Linnie’s hands then lean to pull my phone from my pocket.

No missed calls or texts either.

Weird.

“He’s at the front desk.” Linnie crosses her arms against her chest and looks away. “Yourboyfriend, or whatever he is.”

For a split second my heart starts racing over the thought of Victor waiting in the lobby for me, but that’s silly. He’s watched me enough to know Cal is usually my ride since Joker can no longer chauffeur me around, and that would be ridiculously dangerous for him—and me—to risk picking me up from work.

Andthat’swhy my heart starts racing for another reason, forcing me to ask, “Myboyfriend?”

“Big guy with long hair and tattoos,” my friend huffs. “You know, the secret boyfriend you didn’t even tell your bestie about.” I just frown as Linnie looks at me with a smirk. “A little older than I would have expected but those blue eyes were hard to ignore so I get it.”

“Cal?” I laugh nervously. “No, Linnie, that’s my… uncle.” That sounded more like a question but the relief on her face leads me to believe she bought it.

“Thank god. He’s not bad looking at all but you could do better, and I was going to be so pissed at you if you were finally dating someone without telling me.”

“Well you can rest assured that I amnotdating my uncle.”I’m just totally infatuated and sleeping with a serial killer.

“What a relief.” Linnie chuckles before pinning me with another sad smile. “I really am sorry about Margie, Stevie. I know how much she meant to you.”

I nod and hug Jolene. “She was pretty special.” Then I swallow hard. “I should probably go. I need to get started on my report and—”

“Don’t worry about it. I talked to Chelsea and she said I could do it.”

“What about…” But my friend is shaking her head.

“I’m sure if they need anything from you, they’ll call, but Chels was already going to send you home because of Margie, so, do that. Go home and relax. And she very quickly threw in a couple paid days off after we walked in on you and Chris.” Linnie smirks. “Trying to avoid a lawsuit and all that.”

“Right.” I sigh, the magnitude of everything that just transpired starting to sink in as I get to my feet. “I should probably go then.”

“You gonna be ok?”

“Eventually.” I reach under the desk and grab my purse, frowning when Linnie moves to the computer and starts logging in. “You aren’t leaving?”

She shakes her head. “Covering for Chris. Probably on a permanent basis after tonight.”

“Sorry.” But I’m not really. I suddenly don’t care at all. Not right now when I know I’ll never look at Rolling Meadows Nursing Home the same way again.

No more Margie, and her room will probably trigger PTSD from now on. Plus I’m sure I’m in for the lecture to rival all lectures when I get home tonight so caring about this place or anything that goes on in it seems pretty pointless. I may not even bother coming back here once I leave.

After saying goodbye to Linnie and meeting an angry yet calm Cal at the front desk, the ride home was completely silent.

Not that Cal ever yells at me or anything, he just gives me some sort of warning along with whatever directives my father issued to him before dropping me off.

Tonight is different though.

Most likely because I finally went numb.

Numb to losing Margie and getting assaulted at work, to whatever Cal might have said in the lobby or thought to say during the drive. Numb to what’s going to happen when I get home.

Every inch of me, inside and out, is justnumb.

“Stevie.” Cal clears his throat as we pull into my driveway. “I, uh… that one nurse, Linnie something…”

I nod absentmindedly as I continue staring out the window.

“She… she told me you lost one of your residents tonight. One you were particularly close to.”

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