Page 27 of Codename: Dustoff
“That’s great news!” Henry clapped his hand against his other before saying, “I’m really impressed with your work so far. Keep up the good work! How about the rest of you? Who wants to update us next?”
Once the round robin completed, Elyse came back with the laser focus on Amelia.
“I wanted to give you the opportunity, knowing that this is a support group, to share—however you see fit—what happened with you at the V.A. You mentioned you were glad to have your care coordinator help you. I want you to know that this is a support group for any hurdle you’re overcoming. In case there are ways you feel we could encourage your growth.”
Honestly I wanted to know what went on as well. I figured she would share those things at some point with me privately and not leave me hanging. We locked eyes, and I felt her gaze all the way down my spinal cord. It was as if the weirdness of last Sunday had been totally forgotten.
“I think that the people who can best support me already are helping me through the situation.”
The way she blushed when she looked my way. I felt myself hardening all over again. I silently cursed Elyse for her focused attention, as Amelia had taken her hand away and put it back in her lap.
“Just tell me how,” I whispered, caught up in the remembraces of our heated exchange. “Any support I can give.”
I must have said it too loudly because the whole room stared at the two of us.
“Why would Emmett get to know and not the rest of us?” One of the other amps, a woman by the name of Nancy, asked. “I feel like this group is about building trust and supporting one another while we all try to figure life out. The good and the bad. So wouldn’t you want to share with all of us?”
The group started to chatter amongst themselves, the volume in the room rising to a level that started to put me on edge. The women started talking amongst themselves wondering why Amelia would take me into her confidences but not share with them. One of them—it sounded like Nancy, but I couldn’t be certain—told one of the other people at the table that Amelia had always been a standoffish bitch. Hearing them disparaging her was the equivalent of picking up a light and setting a fuse burning.
“We’re dating! That’s why! And it pertains to me. We were making out and she had panic attack. Okay? Are you happy now?”
I can say assuredly one person who wasn’t happy. Amelia.