Tegan sighed. “I just don’t get it.”
“It’s OK,” Owen said warmly. “You don’t have to. Just focus on what you’ve got to do.”
Tegan rose and picked up her bag. “Look, I know we talked about this, but I need to pay you back for today.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“No. Don’t. I need this, ok? I need to know that when I can pay you back, you’ll let me. It will take me time, but I will.”
As part of their talk the night before, the option of freezing her eggs had come up. It was a recommended back-up plan in case of infertility after treatment. Tegan was intrigued but put off by the cost. Not only was it thousands for the procedure deposit but also the ongoing costs of keeping the eggs frozen.
The fear and regret she felt at the cost were replaced with other worries when Owen had offered to help. As in pay for the whole thing including the yearly costs. It was a wonderful gesture, but Tegan hated owing anyone. And this went beyond that. How could you possibly thank someone for this? It was no ordinary favor, and it threatened to cripple her with its magnitude unless he realized she had to find a way to make it even.
Owen heard her conviction and nodded. “OK... shall we?” He held his arm out for her to leave the apartment as his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen. “Shit...”
He answered the call as he followed her out. “Can I call you back?”
Tegan heard the answer, as she was close to him, this time.“What the fuck happened? Did you cancel the shoot?”Owen’s father had probably just gotten off the phone with the Hord owner. Or the director. Maybe both.
“No. I just needed them to push it back. That’s all.”
“They can’t! They rented that space from the gym for one and a half days. The half day was to finalize things. Today! You realize the whole thing is wasted? They have incomplete footage.”
“Dad, I really can’t talk about this right now...”
“You violated your agreement! Your contract! You won’t get a cent, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Do you think this is a joke? That I’d get you to break camp for a few days for nothing? This was the only time they had, Owen. Almost twelve months of work went into this deal!”
“Dad, look. I’m sorry. But I don’t care. There are things more important than money. Believe me... this is one.”
“That’s my fuckin’ point! There ARE things more important… like your health. You’ve been off lately. I just had no idea how off. You’re not right for the fight. One chance to make this deal and you blew it. You keep this up, you’ll get laid up in the hospital, son! Listen to me...”
“I will. Later. Really sorry...” Owen ended the call just as they approached his car. He opened the door for her, and Tegan held the frame.
“Owen... I...”
“Don’t worry. It’s fine.” Owen forced a smile that anyone would see through. He obviously didn’t want to have that conversation with Tegan around. “We gotta go. Come on...”
Tegan texted Fiona that they were on their way. Fiona wouldn’t go in with her, but she said she’d be there when she woke up. Like always, Fiona had been a rock. Tegan had been comfortable telling Fiona what had happened and the way she was going about trying to heal.
With Owen, things were complicated. Intense and confusing. Nothing was said on the drive to the clinic. After all they had shared, a sadness had muted them both. They were in a situation they didn’t want to be in, travelling to a place they didn’t want to go. Owen parked underground and carried her small luggage bag up to the floor she would be staying on. And with every step towards her room, she felt closer to saying what she had to say. For his sake.
As she worked up the courage, the doctor entered. There would be no waiting. She had to get prepped. Tegan asked why when her procedure wasn’t scheduled until the next day. The doctor smiled and said a spot opened up. She would have both the removal of her ovary and eggs done at the same time. She thanked him and was prepared to close the curtains around her bed when she spotted Owen and the doctor shaking hands. Were they old friends? Was the Doc a fan? Or had Owen worked his magic, or his money, and gotten her bumped up the list?
She half wanted to thank him and half wanted to ask he stop trying so hard. She loved he was doing what he could, but it was also unnerving to be helped like this. She knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose, but she felt like an invalid. She shook the thought out of her head and prepped up with her gown, laid down on the bed and waited for the anaesthetist. Owen had started to make his way over when his phone buzzed again and he swore under his breath and stepped outside.
How that simple movement hurt so much to see. For it cemented her resolve to do what she had to do. For his sake. And for hers.
* * *
Owen flicked his gaze towards the clock.Fuck, how long has it been?He had dozed off in the chair of Tegan’s room and had woken to find her still not there. But her friend, Fiona, was. Sitting on Tegan’s bed.
“Doctor came in about ten minutes ago. She’s coming out of recovery and will be back here soon.”
“Good. Thanks,” he said, leaning forward and stretching. “How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to know what it’s like to hear you snore.” She smiled. He smiled back as a yawn caught him. “I’d ask for a selfie, but apparently you require my legs to open for that. So... can I get one?”
Owen met her gaze which she held for a second before holding up a rolled-up version of the magazine. “Seven women in three days, huh? Jeez, you stud.” She laughed at the look on his face. “Oh, come on... I’m kidding. No one really believes this stuff.”