Cam

CAM

MY APPOINTMENT WITH Dr. Gordon came and went with no notable issues. One of his nurses tested my blood to make sure I wasn't already pregnant before he could prescribe anything to me. While we waited for the results, which were done at a lab in-house, the doctor told me he'd been Karter's physician for more than a decade. When he noticed my discomfort at the revelation, he laid a hand on my shoulder and assured me that doctor-patient confidentiality was in full effect, regardless of his relationship with Karter, which was nice.

All the tests came back like they were supposed to, and he wrote the prescription no problem, sending it out to a pharmacy near where I lived so that I could pick it up the next day.

Karter dropped me back off at my apartment. We both kind of wanted him to stay, but he had work and it wouldn't be long before Ty got home from school. I told him that I'd mentioned having a new friend to Ty, and he seemed flattered but didn't push for an introduction or anything yet. I loved how patient he was with me, especially when it came to my kid. I had a brief thought that he'd make a great dad, but quickly pushed it away. Way too early to be thinking about anything like that. We did, at least, end up making out in his car for a while after he parked.

When Ty got home from school, he was excited for the parent teacher conference that we had scheduled for the next day, which would include him showing off the art he'd made. I was happy that he was excited, but cripplingly nervous as always. At least his teacher was friendly and accommodating. She'd let me schedule my time with her early, before class started, since I couldn't really take time off work in the evenings. I didn't know what the hell I was going to do if he ever had a snotty, rude teacher. Maybe I'd send Karter in for the conferences with that one. Oops. I already forgot I wasn't supposed to be having thoughts like that.

When the next morning rolled around, I used a ride-sharing app (something I despised doing because not only was it unbearably awkward, it was tragically expensive) to secure a ride to the school for Ty and I so we could get there early.

She welcomed us in with impressive enthusiasm, especially considering she'd probably had to come in early because of me. Ty's grades were among the best in the class, and he was friendly and popular with the other kids. I wasn't sure exactly where he'd gotten that from, since I'd been a complete geek with barely any friends, but I was happy he wasn't like me.

After all the standard parent-teacher talk, she sat Ty down in the little section of the classroom with books and puzzles and asked him to wait a bit so she and I could talk privately. My stomach dropped at the possibilities. I'd never needed any kind of private talk with one of his teachers before.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying not to fidget nervously with the hem of my shirt. She gave me an expression that was an odd mix of sympathy and awkwardness.

"Well, there's something I feel like I need to tell you, but I'd appreciate if you didn't mention that you heard it from me."

"Of course," I immediately agreed. I just wanted the conversation to be over.

"Well, this is awkward," she started. "But like I said, I'd just feel terrible if I didn't bring it up, because I see what a good dad you are to Ty. But a social worker contacted me yesterday and had a lot of questions."

"Questions?" I repeated, completely confused. I hadn't known what to expect, but a social worker hadn't even been in the running. "I don't…"

"Well, apparently there was an anonymous case filed with some concerns about Ty's safety and wellbeing, and they do take those very seriously."

Nausea hit me like a truck, my stomach rising up to my throat like a snapped rubber band. I wasn't sure what to say, or if I even had the ability to speak in that moment. When she noticed that I was only gawking, she quickly continued on.

"I want to be really clear that I spoke very positively about your relationship with Ty, and just about his health and wellbeing in general. I didn't have a single negative thing to say, I can assure you."

"What kind of questions were they asking?" I was finally about to push the words out of my raw throat.

"Well, they generally ask about things like bruises, if the child is socializing with others, if they seem like they aren't getting enough food or sleep, that sort of thing."

"Like… abuse?" I probably sounded like an idiot, but I was still in shock over the whole conversation.

"Well, that is obviously one thing we're trained to look out for," she admitted. "But I know without a shadow of a doubt that Ty is in a happy, healthy home. I made that clear to her, but… You should be expecting a home visit, and soon. Like I said, they take these tips really seriously."

"Okay." My head was spinning in absolute chaos, but I was pretty sure she was on my side. If there were even sides in a situation like this. "I really, really appreciate you letting me know."

It was almost time for class to start. Kids and other teachers had started walking by in the hallway, so it was time for me to go. I walked back over to the side of the classroom where Ty was patiently waiting. The paralyzing fear that someone would take him suddenly seized me, and I wanted to choke. He was all I had, the only constant in my life, for six years. He was the motivation for everything I did, and everything I chose.

"Do you want to take my art home, Daddy?" He asked. One wall of the classroom was papered with the special pieces of art each student had created for the parent teacher conferences. Ty's was pretty close to what I had expected. Ducks and cake for his favorites, and an astronaut for what he wanted to be when he grew up. That one I hadn't been sure of, since it seemed to change from month to month.

"I think they're supposed to stay up until all the parents get to see them, and then you can bring it home to me."

"Oh, okay!" He was agreeable as always, but all I felt was fear and numbness.

I told him I loved him and hugged him before leaving. For a brief moment, I had the overwhelming urge to bundle him up in my arms and race out, hiding away with him where no one could ever find us. But I couldn't do that.

Ordering yet another ride from the app, I planted myself down onto the curb in front of the school. I wanted to call Karter, but I knew if I started talking about what was going on I would just break down in tears. I was going straight to work from here, and I was pretty sure tear-streaked cheeks and red, puffy eyes would freak out the customers. Still, I knew I couldn't hold it in for long. And I needed to understand exactly what I should do to make sure Ty stayed with me. Karter would probably be able to help me with researching that.

I can't talk right now, heading into work, but is there any way I could see you after? I really need to talk.

I'd come to expect immediate replies from him, and this time was no different.

I'll pick you up when your shift is done. Are you alright?

Was I alright? I didn't really know until I knew how serious this whole thing was.

I found out something bad and I might need your help.

I didn't want to be too specific or let him know how scared I was, otherwise I was pretty sure he'd show up at my work before I even got there and demand to know what was going on. He was just like that.

Did something happen at Ty's school? Is he okay?

Of course he would remember I had the conference today. The fact that he had even thought to ask about Ty tried to send a warm feeling through me, but the chill from earlier was too deep in my bones.

Ty's fine. I'll explain everything when I see you.

As I hit the send button, the ride-share driver pulled up to where I was sitting, a woman with a friendly smile. I piled into her backseat, giving quick answers to the dreaded small talk that so many of these drivers forced me into.

Then I'll see you soon. Try not to worry so much.

Like that was ever going to happen.

Work was okay, until the end of my shift. I hadn't had any rude customers, or any of the crazy ones that wanted vegan, organic, grass-fed, gluten-free food at a family sports pub that mostly served chicken wings, cheeseburgers, and beer.

I was delivering the check to my final table, a young couple that were too busy making mushy eyes at each other to take much notice of me, when I noticed a man at a booth in my section staring holes into me.

It was odd, but I quickly realized where I recognized him from. He was a regular at the strip club I waited tables at. But he'd never made conversation with me or seemed to even really notice me. I was pretty sure he was only attracted to women, since all the dancers he cozied up to and threw money at were girls. Despite that, he was definitely staring at me and in a pretty creepy way.

I wanted to ignore him, but it was kind of impossible. Not only was he creeping me out with his intense stare, but in general he looked pretty suspicious. It was hot as balls outside, but he was huddled in a coat. Never a good sign. When I went up to his table, I was instantly smacked with a wall of whiskey smell. Trying to hide my grimace, I asked him if there was anything I could get him. He'd been staring at me before, but he couldn't meet my eyes now.

"Just some water."

So I went to the back to get him some water. I'd noticed when I'd gotten up close that he was twitching a little. I hoped he wasn't on drugs or something.

When I brought it out and set it down on his table, his hand shot out to grab my wrist. Shocked, I tried to stumble back but his grip was too strong.

"I want something else," he said. His voice was kind of wild and desperate.

"W-what are you talking about, sir?" My customer service mannerisms automatically slipped out even though I was scared out of my mind.

"You know what I'm asking, boy. You want this," he paused, reaching into a pocket on the inside of his coat with his free hand, partially pulling out a bundle of cash wrapped in a thick rubber band. "Then you got to give me something."

I could barely process what was going on. Was he offering me money for sex? Where had this even come from? This guy had barely ever glanced in my direction, and I'd waited on him a lot at the club. If he wanted me bad enough to pay for it, he'd definitely never made any indication of that before.

"Hey! What's going on?" Hana's voice sounded out behind me, loud and concerned. Relieved that someone had seen that I was currently being held hostage by my wrist, I shook my head at her.

"This guy won't let go of me!"

"You have to do what I say or I won't get my money!" He growled out, rising from his seat. His words brought on even more confusion. I thought he was trying to give me money? Was he just on something, so he wasn't making any sense?

The last thing I saw as he shoved me down face-first into the table was Sam, a muscular alpha who worked behind the bar a lot during my shifts and was always friendly to me, barreling out from behind the bar to try and separate us.