Chapter 10
TEN
The following day, it’s like I’ve been hit by a train. I didn’t get a wink of sleep, even though I had more than enough time to do so.
I’m in a state of panic.
Panicking about how the hell I’m going to manage to pay all our bills. I still have no idea how much the internship will pay me or if it will even be enough.
The year-end payments are looming over me, not to mention Christmas. Chiara needs a laptop for her classes, and I could use some warmer clothes. My old leather jacket isn’t cut out for winter.
Then there’s the tattoo appointment I’ve scheduled. I can’t and won’t cancel it now. I’m certain Xander has already worked on the sketch, and I’m not the kind of person to back out, especially when I want something. But my mind is swirling with worst-case scenarios.
Fortunately, Margaret made me a new badge yesterday, allowing me to enter the NYPD headquarters through the employee line, which is much quicker.
Confident I remember at least half the way to the lab, I hope for the best and head in what I think is the right direction. As I navigate the crowded space, a group of at least thirty police officers comes my way. I move closer to the wall to avoid walking through the middle of them.
However, Del Moro, who is part of the group along with his blond partner, spots me and loudly utters as they pass, “Fat bitch.”
I hold my head high, maintaining my impassive expression, and retort without breaking my stride, “Been called a lot worse by a lot better.”
I notice Josh is part of the group too, when he walks up beside me, looking concerned as he glances back and forth between the back of Del Moro’s head and me.
Clay, who is just behind Josh, grins at me. “Karen,” he says, mockingly tipping an imaginary hat to greet me.
I roll my eyes at his antics and pick up my pace, hoping to find my way as quickly as possible.
Seeing Del Moro has become a trigger, and I wish I could stop the memories before they start.
The cafeteria is buzzing with the usual high school chatter.
I find a quiet corner, settling down at a table by myself.
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my hand is more than just lunch.
It’s the first thing I’ve eaten today. Because of how tight money has been for the last few days, I have to make sure that there is enough for Roberto and Chiara first.
A shadow looms over me as I’m about to take a bite. I don’t need to look up to know who it is. Del Moro stands there with his posse, smirking down at me. Before I can react, he slaps the sandwich out of my hand, sending it tumbling to the floor.
“Trying to put on more weight, fatty?” He sneers.
His friends chuckle behind him.
I take a deep breath, refusing to let him see how much his words sting. “You have your entire life to be an idiot,” I retort. “Why not take today off?”
His eyes narrow, clearly not expecting me to fight back since it’s the first time ever today. “If I looked like you, I’d kill myself.”
I raise an eyebrow, refusing to let him get to me. “If I had a dog with a face like yours,” I shoot back, “I’d shave its ass and teach it to walk backward.”
His friends holler, some even clapping. Del Moro’s face turns a shade of red I didn’t think was possible.
In a fit of rage, he grabs my backpack, holding it out before turning it over.
My books, pens, and personal shit scatter across the floor.
He drops the empty bag beside me with a smirk, and they walk away, leaving me with the mess.
I take a moment to compose myself, then slowly start picking up my things.
I won’t let him just walk over me.
Not anymore.
Somehow, I actually find the lab and knock before opening the door that reads Lee.
“Are you fucking kidding me, Carolina?” Sophia bursts out as I step in, freezing me in my tracks.
Shit, what did I do?
“Why are you knocking? This is your office too!” She gives me an eye roll, then goes back to digging through her desk drawer.
Exhaling, I apologize, “Sorry. Everything all right?”
Sophia grabs her phone, furiously typing away. She looks annoyed. “It’s way past lunch, and I haven’t had my tea yet. How can everything be all right?”
“Seriously? Tea?” I question, but her dirty look makes me zip my lips real quick.
Sophia sighs and slumps into her office chair. “Fuck.”
“Do you want me to grab some for you? I saw there is a cafeteria here,” I offer.
“No, I texted Josh. He’ll bring some when he gets back from their info session.”
Nodding, I boot up my computer. “All right. So, what’s on the agenda today?”
I get the message loud and clear from her icy stare—now is not the time to ask her shit. So, instead, I review yesterday’s papers to stay out of her way.
After maybe an hour, the door opens, and Clay walks in.
Sophia practically bolts toward him, snatching the to-go cup from his hands. Before she can take a sip, Clay stops her by putting his hand over the lid.
“Whoa there, woman. Careful! It’s hot.”
Sophia makes a sound almost like a hiss before turning and stomping back to her desk. But once she sits and starts sipping her tea, she looks blissful, humming contentedly.
“I forgot who I was dealing with for a second there,” Clay shrugs. When I look back at him, I see Josh has joined him, walking toward my desk with another cup.
“I didn’t know what kind of tea you like, but I thought we couldn’t go wrong with black,” he says, smiling at me and placing it on my desk.
“Yeah, as black as your soul,” Clay chimes in with a snicker, and Josh glares in return.
Had I not perfected my poker face over the years, I would’ve smirked. But instead, I offer him a nonchalant glance before turning to Josh. “Thanks.”
“No worries. You’ll soon figure out that green tea is the key to a pleasant workday,” he says.
“So, how’d the info session go, boys? Learn anything interesting?” Sophia asks.
“Nah, same stuff as always. But I gotta say, I’m not a fan of the rookies. They’re getting bolder each year. One of them even shoved me aside on our way back. Back in our day, rookies respected their superiors,” Clay grumbles.
“Oh, are the kiddos not showing you respect, Clay?” Sophia asks with a sarcastic tone. “Try being Josh’s big sister and dealing with you three boys clinging to me all the fucking time during your teenage years.”
Clay just snorts. “Karen, seems like you’re in for a great day at work,” he says, looking at me.
I glance up from my computer, “Why, you’re leaving?”
He furrows his brows, “Well, yeah, but… what?”
Josh snickers, slapping Clay on the shoulder. “Let’s go before the ladies make a kebab out of you.”