Page 77 of Tortured Whispers
“Yeah, they’re early,” Ronnie said, opening the door. All eyes turned to us once we walked in. I held my head high and spoke to everyone around the table. I refused to show nerves.
When I sat down, I clasped my hands together and sat there, waiting. “We’re a little early, Dr. Powers. We wanted this to be fairly quick since we don’t have much to say.”
That shit was never good so I braced myself for the worse. “Well, thank you for taking the time to see me face to face. I really appreciate it.” I nodded at them and Dr. Owens smiled in return.
“We’ve reviewed Dr. Hollow’s research and deem your case to be within the spectrum. Ethically and legally, however, we must insist that you stop any inappropriate relationship with Brooklyn Powers. If you don’t, we’ll have to involve the authorities, Caesar.” Owens’ eyes softened when she regarded me and I appreciated the small show of compassion.
“As far as your license goes, you can still practice at your discretion. This matter is settled and as far as I’m concerned, you’re free to go on about the rest of your day.” She reached out and shook my hand then Ronnie’s.
An involuntary smile stretched my face the moment the board members left. Ronnie and I slapped hands and he shook his head in disbelief. “We did it,” he said.
“We did. I wouldn’t have been able to do shit without your expertise though. Thank you, man.” I meant that from the bottom of my heart too. Ronnie was an amazing friend.
“No problem. I told you from the beginning that I wasn’t out to hurt or expose. Only help. Now, I know damn well you don’t have any patients to see today because you were suspended so that means, you’re itching to get out of here and go see Brook. Go tell her the good news.” He knew me well. I didn’t want to waste time.
We were so close to everything we wanted that I could fucking taste it.
**
I knew Brook was still in class when I got done with hearing the board’s decision but it was her last day and I needed to see her. I went straight from my job to San Marino High School and pulled her out of class.
I stood in the main office waiting for her nervously like I didn’t have great news to share with her. My muscles tensed when I saw her walk around the corner, scanning for me. When she finally saw me, her hazel eyes jumped to life. It was a struggle for us not to collide in a hug and tangle together in a kiss.
“Hey, Uncle Cease,” she nodded nonchalantly before strolling out of the school’s doors.
“Hey, Kiddo.” I winked at her. The moment we were in the parking lot she pelted me with punches. I laughed and grabbed her in my arms before backing her against the car.
It was reckless but I needed to kiss her. My lips found hers and her hands slid through my hair. “I get to keep my license,” I spoke against her mouth and watched her eyes get big.
“Are you serious, Caesar?!”
“Yup,” I nodded. “Now all you have to do is graduate.”
“Oh my god. We’re so close,” she said breaking into a smile. “Let’s go home and celebrate.” She followed me home in her car and we barely hit the door before we were stripping each other out of our clothes.
We landed on the floor of our room in a circle of cassette tapes and 80’s pop music. We were surrounded by happiness for once. After all the bullshit that went wrong, we finally had a string of things that went right.
**
Brooklyn…
One year later
I paced the floor of the tattoo shop over and over, wringing my hands trying to figure out how to tell Cease when he got there that we couldn’t keep our appointment. I looked down at my forearms and my stomach lurched. I wanted to cover those scars so badly and we’d finally found a place willing to do an amazing tattoo for me. Cease even said he’d get tattoos matching mine. Bonus points for it being in the Bay area where we’d moved at the beginning of the year.
Now here I was bitching out. I would have stopped him before he got here to tell him we’d have to call it off but he was already on his way to the shop when his phone died. I couldn’t text or call to tell him to go back home.
When I saw his car pull up I thought I would throw up right on the shiny floor.
You better fucking not, Brooke.
“Hey, baby. You okay? You’re not punking out on me, are you, Brooke?” I looked into his cashmere brown eyes and melted a little like I always did.
“Well, not exactly but…we can’t get them done wight now.” I forced a smile but he frowned at me.
“You’re nervous. Why?” He asked, lifting a thick brow. “See, I told you I should have gone first. You wanted to be so bold though,” he teased.
“Brooke Anthony?” The tatted guy behind the counter called my name and I failed to turn around. Getting used to everyone calling me Brooke instead of only Cease would take lots of getting used to.
