Page 97 of Hot Summer Nights

“Ok then.” The doctor nods before turning back to his computer.

The rest of the meeting happens in a blur. He schedules the surgery and gives us instructions for pre-operation and post-operation. My heart is racing as I think about calling Flynn and Roman after the way I yelled at them.

Once everything is set, we stand and head back outside to the street. I order another Uber and we wait for it in silence. I know that Adeline has questions but I need to call them and make sure that their offer still stands.

The Uber pulls up and we climb in, riding the few blocks back home in silence. I can feel her eyes on me the whole ride but she waits until we walk into our apartment before she bombards me with questions.

“How are you going to get the money?” She asks as soon as the door closes behind us.

“Those guys from the coffee shop. They offered me the money.”

Her eyes go soft as soon as I tell her that and I can almost see the hearts floating around her head. She thinks that I told them about her and that they offered because they care about me and want to help. I know better though. They just want me for my body.

“I’m going to go call them. Why don’t you get some more rest? Or are you hungry?” I ask, desperate to change the subject.

“I’m not that hungry but I might lay down for a quick nap.” She says.

“Ok. Go get some rest. I’ll be right back.”

I step out into the hallway and make sure that it’s empty before I pull out my phone and bring up their numbers. I decide to call Roman. He seems like the more no-nonsense of the two and I want this conversation to be short and to the point. I hit his name and put the phone to my ear as it starts to ring. My breath catches in my throat when the call connects.

“Aspen?”

EIGHT

Roman

Flynnand I have been moping around the office all day. We had tried to talk to Aspen at the coffee shop this morning but she knew what time we usually come in and as soon as she saw us, she took her break. We tried to wait but after half an hour it became obvious that she wasn’t coming back out until we had left.

“She hates us.” Flynn says as he walks into my office and throws himself dejectedly into a chair.

I don’t have anything to say to that so I just continue to pretend to work. I’ve been staring at the same screen for the past forty-five minutes. We should just head home, we’re not getting any work done today.

I’m shutting down my computer and grabbing some papers that I need to look over, shoving them into my briefcase when my phone rings. I glance down at the screen, expecting to just ignore the call, but then I see Aspen’s name. I lunge across the desk, scooping up my phone and startling the shit out of Flynn in the process.

“Aspen?” I ask.

My brain immediately thinks of all the worst-case scenarios. This girl wanted nothing to do with us hours ago. What could have happened that she would be reaching out to us now?

“Yeah. Hi, Roman.” She says on the other end of the call.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, still panicking over everything that could have happened to our girl.

“Your offer. Does it still stand?” She asks.

“Our off- oh. Yes, of course. We actually wanted to talk to you about that. We talked abo-”

“I’m in.”

“You’re in?” I ask, in shock.

“Yeah. Addy’s surgery is Thursday. $150,000. I need it before then, so can we do this tonight?”

“Um, yes of course but-”

“Twelve hours with me, Roman. 5 pm to 5 am. I get a check after that and you cover all of Adeline’s medical bills. Ok?”

“Ok.”

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