Payback

“Oh you don't even have to ask, you know that.” She smiles sweetly.

I’m lucky. Finally lucky.

17

Cami

I have only been on the job a few weeks but I can already tell that I'm going to love it at this hospital. Everything is so neat and organized and because we’re in Nashville, the technology is just so much better. Memphis seems like a tiny town compared to the big city. But my job is easier here, I'm faster at it. And it doesn't take long before I find a nice preschool that Ella can go to during the day. We even snagged a tiny apartment between work and Aunt Suz’s place. Everything seems to be falling into place. The only thing that I've continue to ignore is that I haven't tried to get in touch with Jett. Every day I wake up and tell myself that I'm going to contact him that day, to ask him to dinner, to tell him the truth.

But I don't.

Instead I wake up and I go to work and take care of Ella. I tried to give a little money to Aunt Suz but she refuses regularly so instead I started stopping at the grocery store on my way home. Getting things that I think she might need. It's nice to watch her face as she opens up the fridge in the morning when I visit for breakfast with Ella and pulls out a full carton of milk, she put a roof over our heads, that's more than I ever could've asked for. I need to repay her somehow. So if this is the only way, then I’ll do it.

I'm typing away on my computer, trying to fill out a new patient report when my phone starts vibrating. I ignored it the first couple times but it goes off again and again and finally I decided to answer it. It's text messages, not phone calls, or I would've answered immediately. It could be Ella school. But it's not.

It's Ty. Fuck.

I will find you.

I'm getting my daughter back.

Don't think you can hide for me forever.

I know you're Nashville.

The last one sends chills down my body. How does he know? I never told him about this side of my family. Actually we hardly talked about my family at all. We only ever talked about him. What he wanted. How he felt. My entire life had been wrapped up in his. And I hate him for it.

I don't respond to the messages, I delete them instead and block the number that they came from. He won't find us. It's just a scare tactic. He's in the wrong and he knows it, he's not dumb enough to come after us. At least I hope not.

I try to take deep breaths and calm myself but instead I realize I need a break from staring at the screen. I walk down to the cafeteria to grab a coffee and be around more people. It makes me feel safer, like he can't get me here.

Just as I'm about to get in line for a drink a man catches my eye across the room. My heart stills in my chest, Jett is here. In my hospital. His imposing body is leaning against a doorframe where he’s talking to a guy

in a vest. Someone from his club, or gang, whatever he called it. I watch carefully as he runs his fingers through his hair, and I try not to melt on the spot. God he’s sexy. But he’s here. And I’m not ready for him to be here. To see me.

Why is it that my past is suddenly catching up with me today? Why can't I just escape it all?

I turn on my heel and run out of the cafeteria before I’m spotted. I can't handle this all right now.

I just can't.

For the first time I realize I'm not strong enough. No matter how tough I think that I am I can’t handle Ty finding us, or facing Jett.

Not yet anyway.

Not yet.

18

Cami

The drive home is not a peaceful one. In the last few weeks, I’ve managed to put all the worries behind me, and now this. Stopping by Aunt Suz’s to pick up Ella, I'm on the verge of tears.

“Cami, are you ok,” she asks, slipping Ella’s overnight bag onto my shoulder.

“No. I'm not,” I manage to say before the sobs take over.

“What's wrong, dear?”