“Oh great, now both of you can yell at me for not getting her number.” I walk and give my sister a hug. “How’s it going, nerd?”
“Another day, another dollar.”
“You hustling now?”
“You know it.” She smirks.
We go inside and together we lose Uno to a five-year-old eighteen times throughout the day. How is that even possible?! I need to teach her a new game.
“Alright, cheater, I’m out of here.”
“I didn’t cheat!” Penny yells.
“No one’s buying it, Pen,” Tatum says, cleaning up the table.
“Will you come to celebrate Mommy’s birthday with us on Thursday?”
“Of course, I will.” I hug her. “Go easy on your dad, OK?”
“I will. I’ll even let him win a game.”
“Good idea. Love you, Pen.”
“Love you more, Ollie.”
“Love you most.”
“I love you times eighty-seven! I win!”
“See you Thursday.” I laugh, giving her another squeeze, then bro-hug Trav. I hug Tatum, whispering to her to keep an eye on Travis this week. She nods in understanding, but I know this week is hard for her, too. I really should get over here more. I miss them all so much.
* * *
It’s Thursday, my mom’s birthday.
I started my day with a pounding headache after I couldn’t sleep last night. By noon, I couldn’t handle it anymore, so I downed a couple Motrin with a Red Bull and a beer on my lunch break. Probably not what I should have done since I have to see patients this afternoon, but exactly what I needed to do because I have to see patients this afternoon.
I’m rubbing my temples to attempt to dull the ache when a knock sounds on my office door. “Dr. Duncan? Your next patient is here to see you. It’s Mrs. Morgan, the stage three breast cancer patient. Do you have everything you need for her appointment?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Thanks, Gwen. You can send them in now. I’m good.”
She pauses with a tilt of her head. “Are you sure? You don’t look great.”
“Thanks,” I scoff. “You can go now and send in my patient.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
The door closes, and I take a minute to gather myself in order to get through this appointment. Marla Morgan has stage three breast cancer, and everything regarding her illness is almost identical to what my mom experienced. I get to go over her treatment plan with her today. On my mom’s birthday. That she’s not here to celebrate because the sick fuck called cancer killed her. Great.
A knock sounds again on my door. I scrub my hands down my face and tell them to come in. Let’s do this. I stand and round my desk to shake her hand and meet the daughter she said would be coming with her. The door opens, and Gwen ushers them inside. I see Marla first and give her a smile and a nice greeting, hoping to put her at ease like I try to do with everyone I see. Then I turn toward the other woman in the room and everything stops.
I try to brush it off, but standing in front of me, looking equally surprised, is my lucky leprechaun. Bexley. And she’s wearing scrubs and an ID card for Highrise Hospital. She works at my hospital.
Holy. Shit. Things just got interesting.
“He…hello. I’m Bexley Morgan,” she says with an extending hand, avoiding eye contact with me and acting like I didn’t lick her from head to toe six days ago.
I give her a smug smile, because I’m an ass. “Dr. Duncan. Nice to meet you. Please have a seat.”
Gwen leaves the three of us and we sit, ready to get on with the appointment. Bexley looks annoyed, although it doesn’t seem to all be aimed at me, which feels weird given the reason they are here.
“Ms. Morgan, have you explained everything to your daughter or would you like me to?” I ask, wanting to break through the tension in the room and get this over with.
“She told me she has breast cancer and a hot doctor,” Bexley says before her mom can get a word out. “Do I need to know more than that?”
I realize then that my mouth is hanging open. I snap it shut and shift my eyes between the two women in front of me. They look like they could be sisters, not mother and daughter. I see from Marla’s file that she’s forty-one, and although I didn’t get Bex’s age the other night, she can’t be older than mid-twenties. Wow. I did not see this one coming.
“Alright, let’s start again,” I begin because really, I have no idea what in the hell to do next. “I’m Dr. Duncan, the oncologist helping your mom. I met with her last week to let her know the results of her biopsy from the tumor that was found in her right breast. The tumor is rather large at 5cm. It isn’t inflammatory, which is good news, but it does make it stage three. Do you have any questions so far?”
They both shake their heads no, so I continue. “Here is the treatment plan I think will work best. We can adjust it if need be and you do have the option to say no to anything, although I would highly discourage that. I’d like to start chemo first, to shrink the tumor before we operate.” I go on to tell them both the entire plan I have made with timelines, side effects, and answers to the most-asked questions. I stop here and there to see if they have any questions, but neither of them do. “That about covers everything. It’s a lot of information. I have it all written out for you, as well.” I pause to hand them each a copy of the treatment plan I just laid out. “Any questions now?”
“What’s the survival rate after all of this?” Bex asks.
“Seventy-two percent.”
“Damn, higher than I thought.”
“Excuse me?” I ask, confused by her comment.
“Ignore my insensitive daughter. She doesn’t like me much,” Marla responds matter-of-factly, seeming unphased by anything Bex says.
“Your shitty insurance won’t cover most of this. So really, that’s why I’m here, isn’t it? You want me to add you to my policy.”
“Do you want to be responsible for killing your mother?”
“It sure as hell would cost me less if you were gone!”
“After everything I’ve done for you, Bexley. Why do you have to be so mean?”
“Really? That’s what we’re going with? Right. Because you did so much for me when we had no food or power or water. Or when you were so drunk or high I had to take care of myself when you’d disappear for weeks at a time.”
“You were so independent. You did fine on your own.”
“I was seven!”
Although a part of me wants to continue to watch, I know I need to stop them. “Ladies!” I cut in. “Let’s take a breather. You’re my last appointment for the day. Why don’t we take a ten-minute break and then figure this out.”
“I’m good,” Bexley says, standing to leave.
“Please, Bex, let me have a word with you before you go?”
Chapter Four
Bexley
I’m so done with this shit. I knew there was more to why she wanted me here. Selfish bitch! I know I should feel bad, but I really don’t.
Not after everything. Not after years of listening to her berate me and tell me I wasn’t good for anything. All she’s ever cared about was getting her next high in one form or another.
When I was little, maybe five or six, I remember her giving me a twenty-dollar bill and sending me down to the corner store to buy her a pack of smokes and a twelve pack of beer. The owner of the store knew who my mother and I were, but when I walked in at eleven o’clock at night in my pajamas and tried to buy booze and smokes, he wouldn’t let me. Instead, he told me to keep the money and gave me a bag of groceries. When I got back home, my mom smacked me across the face for not doing as she said. I was locked in my room for almost two days because she went on a bender and forgot about me. Those are the things kids don’t forget.
Things like living out of your car, wearing the same clothes to school so many times in a row, because you have no others, and being made fun of. I didn’t grow up with a home or security or even food in my belly most days.
I swore that when I was old enough, I’d leave that behind, leave her behind, and make my own life. Me. Because she taught me I couldn’t count on her for anything. Or anyone else for that matter.
So, seeing her sick, knowing she may die from cancer, I don’t feel bad for her. I just want to leave and get back to work, but when he looks at me and asks me to stay to talk with him, I can’t seem to say no.
“Only if she leaves,” I say, looking at the person who brought me into this world only to attempt to kill me on more than one occasion.
“Whatever. I’ll go get a coffee. Go flirt with the doc all you want,” she says as she gets up to leave, slamming his office door behind her.
“Fuuuuuck,” Ollie says when the door closes, and it makes me laugh. “That was intense for a leprechaun.”
“I’m obviously not good luck. I came from that,” I reply, pointing to the door with disgust.
“Bex, talk to me. What’s going on?” he asks walking out from behind his desk, leaning back against it in front of me...
“Where do you want me to start?”
“How about with how did I not know you worked in my hospital?”
“Yours, huh?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Because I didn’t tell you. Besides, you didn’t tell me that you were a freaking doctor here either.”
“Touché. Where do you work?”
“Pediatrics. Just started last week. Can’t you tell by the scrubs I’m wearing?” I ask, looking down at the Frozen scrubs I have on.
“I was shocked as shit when you walked in, but I’m glad you did. Regardless of your relationship with your mom, I’m sorry we met again this way.”
“Ollie, look. My mom’s a piece of shit, to put it nicely. We don’t talk anymore, so when she does call, it’s because she wants something from me. I’m not going to give you my sob story, because I’m good. I made peace years ago with the crappy hand I was dealt when I came into this world. But I’m on my own now. I’ve made it here myself, and I love what I do. She just doesn’t matter to me anymore. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. I just don’t care. I appreciate you caring for her; that’s your job, I get it, but I could care less if you save her or let her rot to death.”
“I really don’t know what to say to that.”
“Guess you dodged a bullet that I’m not the clingy type. Don’t worry, our one-night stand will stay that way, one night.”
“Bex, that’s not what I meant. I actually was hoping I’d find you again sometime. I just didn’t expect this.”
“Ollie, really, it’s alright. I need to go. I have to get back to my shift before Dr. Parker eats me for dinner.” I smile. “You’re a good man, Ollie. Don’t let her get to you because she’ll take whatever you hand out and more.”
“So that’s it? I can’t see you again?”
“I don’t think so,” I say, taking a step forward and placing my hand on his chest. “But don’t worry, Dr. Duncan. I’ll be sure to let all the girls know that the rumors are true.” I smirk and then give him a peck on the lips.
“What rumors are those?” he asks when I turn to leave.
“Oh, I think you know exactly what the rumors are! The sexy doctor who preys on all of us nurses. No one gets him more than once, but that one time is worth it all.” I lick my lips, looking down to his pants, knowing what’s inside. “I guess I was the one who found the pot of gold after all. Or should I say cock of gold?” I close the door behind me and leave his office wishing I could have said everything I really wanted to.
Story. Of. My. Life.
I hit the elevator button to take me back to the pediatric floor. My back hits the wall, and I use the next few moments alone to shake off everything that just happened.
When I walked into his office and saw it was him, I couldn’t believe it. What were the chances that he’d be the one there? Of course, he was! At lease I know where to find him if I ever feel desperate enough to try to get him to sleep with me again. Damn, I’m pathetic.
Then there’s good ole Marla Morgan and all the shit she brings with her. I’m sure he thinks I’m the most heartless bitch ever, but I just can’t deal with her anymore. I put distance between us for a reason years ago, and I’m not going back and changing my mind. Nope. Not doing it.
And let’s not forget the way I practically had an orgasm when I put my hand on his chest. How does he have that ability?! It makes sense now that I know who he is. He is hands down the best I’ve ever had. Mix that with all the rumors the nurses of the hospital spread around about the doc with the magic cock, and I totally get it. I guess I’m lucky I had a taste of it. Go me!
I chuckle to myself as I step off the elevator and check back in with my supervisor, ready to get on with this day. What are the chances that my first one-nighter in months is my cracked mom’s doctor, the same doctor everyone told me about when I started working here last week? Did I really tell him he had a cock of gold? Nice, Bex, real classy.
* * *
I roll my neck, trying to loosen the knots I feel after this long day. I’m finishing up the last rounds with my patients before shift change. I need this day to be over and I, luckily, have a bottle of Moscato in my fridge that I’m drinking straight out of tonight.
“Listen, Susan is it? I really need to find her before she leaves tonight.” I hear Ollie’s voice coming from the nurse’s station. Good luck getting anything from Susan, Oliver. That lady has been here for as long as the hospital has been and is a hard-ass about giving out information on anyone, patient or employee.
“Dr. Duncan, you know the hospital policy. I am not at liberty to tell you where she is.” That’s right. You tell him!
“Susan, please? Just this once, sweetheart. I’d never ask if it were a patient, you know that.” Flirt! She is never going to fall for anything he’s dishing out.
“Oh, alright. Just this once and you better not get me in trouble.” What the hell, Susan?!
“Do I look like I’d do such a thing to you, Susan?” Ollie asks her, sounding offended. I roll my eyes. What a joke.
“All the ones who bring trouble are usually the most fun. That girl looks like she could use some fun in her life.” Thanks a lot, Susan! “She should be finishing up vital checks in the 300 wing. Right down that way, sugar.” Sugar? You’ve got to be kidding me!
“Thanks, Susan. I owe you one.” I hear him knock on the desk a couple times, and I’m sure he’ll be rounding the corner any seco…
“Were you listening?” he asks with a sexy grin forming on his face when he rounds the corner and spots me leaning against the wall.
“You and Susan sounded really cozy. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I want you to come with me somewhere tonight.” He skips right over what I said, over our sarcastic banter, and gets straight to the point. I don’t like it. I like light and non-personal.
“Dr. Duncan,” I start, pushing off the wall and standing in front of him. “I don’t think it’d be appropriate.”
“Seriously, Bex? Come on. First, it’s not a big thing. We work in completely different areas of the hospital. Second, I’m not asking for sex, but it would be nice afterwards. And third, get your shit, let’s go.” He says as he grabs my hand and pulls me toward the breakroom where our lockers are.
“Ollie, please?” I beg. “I can’t do this, whatever it is. I don’t do relationships. I’m good leaving things how they were.”
“I don’t either, but I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m not good leaving things alone. Plus, I want you to come with me to see something.” I watch as he nervously swallows, and it’s surprising. He’s really anxious.
I blow out a breath, considering what he asked me to do. “Where do you want to take me?”
“My mom’s birthday party.”
“What?! You want me to meet your family?! Mr. I-Don’t-Do-Relationships-Either, but yeah, sure, come meet my parents on our actual first date. Holy hell, Ol
lie.”
“Please?” He looks at me with his brows pinched together, appearing so serious and a little bit sad. “I’d really like for you to come with me.” How do I say no to that?
I let out another whoosh of air, making my lips blow raspberries in the air. “Fine. But I need to go shower and change first.”
“Done. I’ll pick you up in an hour. Do you work tomorrow?”
“No. I’m afraid to ask…why?”
“They live an hour away. I can drive you back tonight if you want, but if you’re alright with it, we can stay and leave in the morning.”
I put my hand up in his face. “I’m not doing this with you. Let me wrap up things so I can get home and get ready in time.” I push past him, heading back to the nurse’s station to check out of all my open patient accounts.
“I’ll see you in an hour, Leppy,” he says with a wink, walking past me on his way to the elevator.
My head hits the counter with a thud. “Honey, you better take advantage of that. Uh!” Susan says to me.
“I already have,” I tell her as I roll my head to the side to look at her. Her eyes go wide, and then we both start to laugh.
“You must have done something right for him to come down here looking for you.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I say, turning to leave and shaking my head. Her laughter keeps on going, and I hear it all the way in the locker room.
* * *
“Alright, before we leave, I need to tell you some things,” Ollie says, pushing through my front door the second I open it.
“Please, come on in. Make yourself at home.” I hold my hand out to where he’s already sitting on my couch.
“Sorry. I’m freaking out a little now that I’m here and about to take you to meet my family.”
“Look, if you don’t want me to go, it’s OK. I’m a little weirded out to meet them when all we’ve done is screw. Your mom will think I’m such a slut and not good enough for her son, I’m sure.”
Always Series Box Set Page 24