Chapter 7
Ellie
Camden’s hard tone is a shock to my system. I look up and see him standing off to the side, glaring at the rude guy in line behind me.
I stare at him, eyes wide. I’m not used to hearing him sound so…pissed off. Or looking this pissed off.
His normally smiling face is twisted into a cruel expression. I turn and finally get a look at the guy heckling me in line.
He’s a middle-aged guy who’s frowning at Camden.
“Excuse me?” the guy says. “Why don’t you mind your own business, buddy.”
Camden steps up to the guy. The guy’s annoyed expression instantly melts away as he stumbles back. Probably because he’s just now registering the angry look on Camden’s face. And the fact that Camden is so much bigger than him too.
My mouth parts open, stunned at the image in front of me: sweet and goofy Camden glowering like he’s ready to punch this guy out. All because he was rude to me.
My heart pounds, and my skin tingles.
The guy holds up a hand. “Hang on—”
Camden shakes his head, cutting him off. “Apologize to my friend for being a rude asshole. Now.”
The guy turns to me. “S-Sorry.” Then he scurries off, disappearing down a random aisle of the store.
The pharmacy technician flashes a thumbs-up at Camden, then heads to the back.
Camden turns to me. The hard look on his face fades instantly. His brow knits and his blue eyes shine with concern as he looks at me.
“You okay?” His voice is soft and gentle. It makes my entire body go warm.
I nod, unable to speak. I’m too shocked at how quickly he was able to shift from pissed-off protector to concerned friend.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
He glances down at the shopping basket he’s holding. The corner of his mouth lifts in a smile. “I ran out of protein powder and snacks.” He looks at the pharmacy counter, then me. “You sure you’re okay?”
I clear my throat. “Yeah, just navigating a little issue with my insurance.”
“What issue?” he asks.
I hesitate for a moment. I don’t want him to know just how bad my situation is. It would be so humiliating.
I shake my head and try to smile. “It’s nothing. It’s all fine,” I lie.
“Here are those three pills you asked for,” the pharmacy technician says as she pops up at the counter again. “Come back on Monday and we’ll have that other prescription ready for you.”
Camden frowns at the small bottle of pills. “You only get three pills at a time?”
“Um, yeah. It’s my migraine medicine. I have a headache and need the meds now.”
“But why only three pills? Shouldn’t you fill the whole thing?”
My cheeks heat with embarrassment. I don’t want Camden to know how poor and sick I am.
He’ll pity me, and it will change our friendship.
Things are good between us now, and I love it because we feel like normal friends, and I don’t have enough of those in my life right now…
but the second he finds out about me, he’ll see me as the sick, pitiful girl, and treat me differently, just like everyone else does.
I open my mouth, fully prepared to lie to him, but then a wave of guilt lands at the center of my chest. I can’t lie to Camden. He’s a good person, standing up for me against that jerk. He’s always been open and honest with me. I need to give him that same honesty and openness.
I thank the pharmacy technician and walk to a quiet corner at the edge of the store so we’re not in anyone’s way.
“Three pills are all I can afford.” The pounding in my head is back.
I dry swallow a pill, hoping it kicks in soon.
“My insurance coverage changed unexpectedly, and they didn’t tell me.
I can’t pay for the full prescription right now because it costs too much out of pocket.
But I’ll come back Monday and get a different medicine.
One that my insurance will pay for. It’ll all be fine. ”
I try to make my voice sound light, like this is all no big deal. But Camden’s brow furrows in concern.
“But you said you have a headache now that could turn into a migraine,” he says, glancing down at the pill bottle in my hand. “You only have three pills, and you just took one. What if you need more?”
I shrug, still trying to play it off. “I’ll just go without until Monday. It’s no big deal.”
Camden’s gaze sharpens. “Yeah, it is, Ellie. It’s messed up that you have to go without the medicine you need because your insurance sucks.
“It’s fine. I’ve dealt with this my whole life.”
He tugs a hand through his wavy hair. His jaw works like he’s frustrated. His gaze sharpens as he stares at me. It makes me feel hot and tingly all over once more.
“It’s not fine,” he growls.
Then he gently guides me with a hand on my arm back to the pharmacy counter, which is empty now.
“What’s the name of the medicine you take?” he asks me.
I tell him. He looks at the pharmacy technician. “Can you refill her prescription, please?”
“Yeah, sure.” The pharmacy technician walks off.
“Camden, what are you doing?” I ask, confused.
When the pharmacy technician returns with a full bottle of my meds, Camden hands her his credit card.
“No way.” I tug on his arm when he doesn’t respond. “Camden, you can’t pay for my meds. It’s fifteen hundred dollars.”
He doesn’t react. He doesn’t even blink. He just stands there with that calm, easy expression on his face, as unsurprised as if I had just told him that dogs bark or that the sky is blue.
He turns to me, his blue eyes soft. “I don’t care how much it costs, Ellie. You’re in pain. I’m not going to just stand here and watch you suffer.”
My tummy flips at the soft growl in his voice. At the tinge of bossiness in his tone.
He’s doing this. For me.
“It’s just so much money,” I say softly.
He pins me with that beautiful blue stare. “I make more than enough to pay for this. Stop worrying, okay?”
I swallow hard and nod. His gaze is watchful as he scans my face. Probably because of the heavy amount of costume makeup I’m wearing. Or because I look absolutely exhausted from this headache.
“Have you eaten lately?” he asks.
“I had some carrots and celery at the birthday party I worked earlier.”
He shakes his head. “That’s not enough. I’m taking you to lunch.”