I wasn’t even sure if Bryce and I were exclusive. We weren’t even sleeping together. Hell, two nights ago he left me high and dry and told me I wasn’t ready for him. Even still, I felt as if I owed him some clarity. He had nothing to worry about with Sam, if he was worried in the first place.
Opening the passenger door, I scooted inside and released a pent up breath of apprehension. “About what just happened—” I started and then paused to gauge his mood. I could have avoided the topic altogether, waited for him to bring it up, but I was a pull-the-Band-Aid-right-off kind of gal. I needed to do this and get it over with.
Bryce gripped the steering wheel with no more force than usual. His jaw tensed beneath his clean shaven skin, but it was a habitual tick I’d noticed he did often. Still, he stared forward through the windshield, not making eye contact. His silence worried me. I felt like I was in trouble. I didn’t like it.
Immediately on the defensive, I huffed loudly and sank into the comfortable leather seat. “Listen, Bryce. Sam is my best friend. I haven’t seen him in over a year and we were just . . . you have nothing to worry about with him, so don’t get your doctor’s scrubs in a bunch, okay?”
I could hear the subtle release of air through his nose, a slight laugh. I wasn’t sure if he was amused or annoyed. I craned my neck to look at him, ready to pull whatever he was thinking out of him. Or better yet, if he was going to act like this I would tell him to fuck off and forget about the hospital, lunch, and anything else he thought I wasn’t ready for. But before I could open my mouth and brace myself for whatever the hell would fly out of it, Bryce broke the silence, his eyes seeking mine, penetrating them in that way that calmed me.
“I’m not worried about Sam, or any other man, for that matter.” His emphasis on other man made me certain he was talking about Hunter. But his tone was not threatening nor harsh. No, it was comforting.
What are you thinking, Doctor Love?
Leaning over the center console, Bryce cupped my cheek, his thumb caressing the sensitive skin in a slow back and forth motion. He smiled, staring at my lips, then dragged his gaze back up to my eyes. “I’ve never seen you so carefree, so happy, as when Sam was tickling you back there.”
So, he was annoyed. Maybe even jealous. I can’t say the jealously wasn’t a teensy bit of a turn on, but . . . we were talking about Sam here!
“Bryce.” I placed my hand over his and licked my dry lips before speaking. “It’s just something we do. He’s like . . . he’s like another brother to me. Actually, he’s even more of a brother to me than my real blood brother is, but that’s not the point. I didn’t think it was necessary, but maybe I should’ve explained the kind of friendship Sam and I have.” I hated to have to do this, break it apart piece by piece, label the ins and outs of the special bond Sam and I shared, but . . . something about the way Bryce was looking at me, touching me, encouraged me to do so. “It was completely innocent. I’m sure it didn’t look that way when you walked in on us, but I’m telling you, you have nothing to worry about.”
He tilted his head and nodded before closing his eyes. When he opened them, there was that gleam of excitement, of lust, that I was starting to fall for. He wasn’t mad. He was curious. Hell, if I had walked in on some hot nurse tickling Bryce I probably would have reacted a lot worse than he was right now. “I told you, beautiful, I’m not worried.”
“Then why do you seem so . . . mad?” The last word was a faint whisper.
“Mad?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m not mad at all. Sad, maybe. But not mad.”
“Sad?” This was starting to sound like some preschool rhyming game. What was he getting at?
“Yes, because I’ve yet to put that kind of happiness on your face. It made me . . . I don’t know. It’ll probably sound ridiculous, but . . . I want to make you that kind of happy. I like you a lot, London, and if this goes where I want it to . . . I hope one day you’ll look at me as your best friend.”
Okay, well, that about melted my insides. Smiling, I bounced in my seat. Doctor Love needed a dose of ego boosting. I had no problem with that. “Bryce, you have been the silver lining to many of my most miserable days. You know that, right?”
He shrugged. It was adorable. It was crazy that this intelligent, sometimes domineering, always intriguing man had no idea just how happy he could make me. How happy he had made me just by being there when no one else was.
“I promise, once you get to know Sam, you’ll understand. In fact, I’m glad we’re doing lunch with him today. I have a feeling you guys will really like each other. He’s the best.”
“Oh, he is, is he?”
“Yes, he’s probably the funniest guy I know and he doesn’t shut the hell up. You’ll be lucky to get a word in edgewise once he gets going about his year abroad. But he has this way of making you feel like you were there, too. You’ll see.”
“You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Beaming. He must be very special to you, and you to him.”
“Yes, he is.” I didn’t have to think about that before saying it. Maybe it was even a little defiance on my part. Sam was not going anywhere. Bryce needed to know that now, in case our relationship turned into a long-term one.
“Good. I’m glad,” he finally said, letting his hand fall from my face and returning it to the gear shift. “But just so you know . . .” He put the car in drive and pressed on the gas, signaling a right turn out of the driveway. “Once you’re mine, you’ll be beaming because of me. You’ll beam so bright the fucking sun will be jealous.”
For the rest of the morning, the tune to “Brighter Than the Sun” by Colbie Caillat swam in and out of my head, giving me a giddy sway to my stride.
Bryce had rounds but he made sure Mom and I were settled nicely and then rushed off, leaving me with a soft kiss on the cheek.
“Oh, that boy has got the hots for you something fierce,” Mom cooed.
“Ma! The hots? He’s just a nice guy, that’s all.”
“Nice guy, my ass. He looks at you like you’re something to eat.”
“Mother!” We were not having this conversation. Nope. Not now, not ever. I quickly changed the subject before she could shed anymore unwanted wisdom on exactly what she thought Bryce wanted to do to her daughter. “In other news, Sam is home.”
“Oh, yeah? When did he get in? I’ve been stuck in here these last few days and I feel like I’m missing everything.”
“You haven’t missed a thing. He’s coming by today. And you’ll be home soon, so stop worrying and start getting better. You know how much I hate an empty house.”
“Yes, yes. I know, baby.”
That reminded me. “Your little meddling stunt almost put me into cardiac arrest, by the way.”
Mom startled upright, concern awash on her sallow face. “What are you talking about?”
“Coy, young lady, real coy.”
“I’m serious, London. What are you talking about?”
“I’m fine.” I huffed, rolling my eyes. I should have mentioned it yesterday during our quick visit, but she seemed so out of it I didn’t want to irritate her. Today, however, she looked ten times better. Today, I would get on her case all I wanted, business as usual. “The next time you’re worried about me you don’t have to send Bryce over for a house call. I would have made it through the night. I’m a big girl.”
“I didn’t send him over.”
“Are you losing it, old lady?” I joked.
“I’m not losing anything. I may have told him you didn’t like being home alone and that I was worried for you, but that’s it. By the time he was done here for the night, it was after ten o’clock. I assumed you’d be sleeping or at least settled in for the night. You needed rest, not a gentleman caller.”
Gentleman caller? “Ma, you’re hanging out with Henry too much. That hot geezer is aging you. Gentleman caller, ha!” The antiquated terminology and my mother’s feigned innocence made me laugh. I was about t
o give her more sass when my phone pinged with an incoming text from Sam, immediately followed by another from Bryce.
Shit, I thought in amusement. These two really were in competition without even realizing it.
“Everything okay?” Mom asked, noticing how I was glued to the phone.
Bryce was sweetly throwing out suggestions for lunch and Sam was sending inappropriate doctor GIFs. Jerk. God, I’d missed him.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just excited that Sam’s home, and a little frazzled by—”
“All that attention from Doctor Hot Stuff.” She giggled.
Really? Could anyone call the guy by his actual name? “Yeah, that’s it, hornball. I hope Henry’s coming by soon.”
Mom’s melodious laughter filled the drab hospital room. “He was here last night, if you must know.” She waggled her eyebrows, sending me out of my seat as if it were on fire.
“And that’s my cue. I’m gonna go grab a coffee and text these two clowns back. Want anything?”
“Nope, I’m good.”
Good. It was better than fine, worse than perfect. All things considered, I’d take good with a smile right now.
GOOD TURNED SOUR within a matter of hours.
“You have to do something, Bryce. When do you think a transplant will become available?” Suddenly I couldn’t even look at my vegetable Panini. I shoved the plate away and demanded an answer, a miracle.
“I wish I could answer that for you.” He rubbed his temple, pushing his salad around with a fork.
Sam reached over and grabbed my hand; Bryce took note from beneath hooded eyes, his jaw tensing. “Calm down. It’ll happen. I know it will.”
“No. You don’t. You don’t know anything.” I shrugged his hand away and let out a sigh. I was on the verge of tears but I bit them back. There was no need to make a scene in the restaurant during its lunch rush, but given Bryce’s news of my mother’s latest lab results, I was really worried about her. “I thought everything was fine. She’s following all the rules. We’re doing everything right. What changed? How much longer does she—?” I couldn’t even bring myself to finish the thought.
Bryce leaned forward and commanded my attention. “Look at me.”
I did.
Sam did, too, but not before eyeing me first.
Placing a hand over the one Sam had just attempted—and failed—to claim, he implored me to relax in a mollifying tone. “I will do everything I can to help, but her numbers this morning were a little alarming. The residents from my team are going over everything with a fine tooth comb as we speak. I wanted to bring it up while Sam is present.” Bryce moved his gaze to Sam as he mentioned his name. “I know how close you two are. Both London and Ella need your support right now.”
Sam nodded but remained silent. If I knew him—and believe me, I did—he was telling Bryce off under his breath to the tune of Don’t tell me what I already know, asshole.
The two men shared a knowing glance and then Bryce broke the standoff by turning back to me. “Your mother’s disease is not going away. She’s highly anemic and her potassium and phosphorus levels are extremely elevated. At this stage, the dialysis is working and we can up the treatment, but you and I both know it isn’t a cure. I didn’t mean to scare you, and there’s no need to start asking questions like ‘how long’ and ‘when.’ She has time; she’s a fighter. I want to exhaust all options, talk it out. Even though I’ve been over her charts and numbers more times than I can count, nobody knows her better than you do.” He punctuated his sentence with an endearing wink.
I appreciated his efforts. Of course he would do right by us, especially now that we were seeing each other. But he wasn’t God and I realized it wasn’t fair of me to put that kind of pressure on him. “Thank you. I’m sure you’re doing everything in your power. But this waiting game is killing me. Is there anything else we can do?”
“You were tested as a donor, right?” Sam asked, throwing a crumpled napkin over his unfinished burger.
“Yes, of course. Unfortunately, I’m not a match.” I wouldn’t have thought twice about giving my mother one of my kidneys. I’d do anything.
Sam rapped his fingers against the wooden table. “What about Memphis?”
Bryce’s brows narrowed together. “Who’s Memphis?”
“Her brother,” Sam answered, still looking at me. “Was he tested?”
“Wait, your brother’s name is Memphis?” Bryce cut in.
“Mmm hmm,” I hummed.
“London and Memphis,” Bryce mused. “As in England and Tennessee?”
“Yeah.” Sam snickered. “Ella named them after places she wanted to visit. If they had a third, he or she would have been Tokyo or Budapest.”
“Very funny.” I slapped Sam’s arm and looked to an amused Bryce. “My Mom’s always been a dreamer. She had grand plans. London and Memphis were places my father promised to take her, but he left before he fulfilled those promises, not to mention a shitload of others.”
Bryce’s mouth was a tight line of pity. “I’m sorry.”
“They did perfectly fine without him, if you ask me.” Sam draped an arm around my shoulder and nudged into me.
Again, Bryce’s eyes seared into the part of Sam’s body that was touching mine. I wasn’t sure whether my best friend was fucking with him for fun or not, but I could tell Bryce was not digging it.
Between the tension flanking these two and the news about my mother, this whole lunch was a disaster. I needed something to take the edge off. “Is it too early for a drink? I could really use a beer or, if I remember right, this restaurant serves a great peach sangria. Waitress!” I lifted my finger to flag her down, ignoring the two pairs of disapproving eyes boring into me.
Once the refreshing sangria was in my hands, I tossed it back, abandoning the straw. The two men quietly appraised me.
Sam was first to break the silence. He looked over at Bryce for a beat and then dragged his eyes back to me. “Why don’t I get tested?”
I was momentarily stunned, confused even. Was this a way to one-up Bryce or a genuine act of kindness? “You’d do that?” I was skeptical. Not that Sam wasn’t a chivalrous guy, but we were talking about a major organ. Was he really about to offer one up to my mother? Me, maybe. But he didn’t have to do this.
“Yeah. Why not?” He shrugged. “You only need one, right?” His question was directed at Bryce, whose expression was unreadable.
What’s going through your head, Doctor Love? I couldn’t figure it out. And I couldn’t say I was surprised by what came out of his mouth next.
“Well, it can’t hurt.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I would reach out to Memphis first—blood relatives are usually the best match—but like I said, we need to explore all avenues. If Sam’s willing and able, it’s worth the shot.”
Many things went through my mind, but in the forefront, I questioned my seating choice. From where Bryce sat, this had become a doctor/patient consultation type thing. I should’ve been sitting next to him, not across from him. Our positioning made it look as if Sam and I were together and Bryce was only along for his expertise. In an effort to express my gratitude and show him this was not the case, I reached across the table and clutched his hands in mine with a smile.
Of course, Sam chose that exact moment to push his chair out, scraping it across the floor with a loud screech, to turn in my direction. Bidding my attention, he squeezed my shoulder, grinning proudly. “I’m willing, London. Really. I want to help. I would do anything for you . . . you know this.”
I did. Sam was the boy who’d scared off bullies, cleaned scraped knees, wiped away tears, and mended broken hearts. There was no doubt in my mind that if he turned up as a match, he would hand over that kidney as easily as he would a stick of gum. But could I really let him do this?
“How can I ask this of you?”
“You’re not. I’m offering.”
I blinked, taking in a deep breath. It was one thing to hold
out hope, to wonder. But it was another to know there was someone standing right in front of you who had the ability to save your mother’s life. Waiting to find out whether he was a match wouldn’t even be the hard part. If it turned out that he was, there was no way I’d be able to ignore the gift at my fingertips.
Does that make me selfish? Is this whole thing crazy? What am I supposed to do?
“Can I think about it?” I choked back my emotions, a mix of gratitude and fear strangling me.
“Of course,” Sam answered.
“But don’t take too long,” Bryce cautioned.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I’ll call Memphis today.”
“I’m . . .” Sam paused, looked at Bryce, and then continued. “We’re here for you. You don’t have to deal with any of this on your own, okay?”
Bryce smiled in agreement, the invisible veil of tension magically lifting away. “We got you, beautiful.”
For the first time all afternoon, I was hopeful. I knew these boys had it in them to behave, but I never expected this.
Sam and I went back to spend more time with Mom before I had to be at the salon for my appointments. While they caught up, Bryce and I stole a quiet moment alone until he had to return to his patients.
“Thank you for everything,” I cooed, reaching up on tip-toes to peck his cheek. He quickly turned his face so I missed my target and our lips collided. I giggled into the sweet kiss, relaxing against his comforting warmth.
“Don’t thank me. Thank Sam. He’s the real hero here.” There was no suspicious undertone, but I still wondered whether he meant anything by it.
I decided to brush it off, feeding Bryce’s ego instead. “We don’t know that yet, but in the meantime . . . I’m free tomorrow night. Can I invite my favorite doctor over for dinner at my place?”
Every Breath You Take (The Every Breath Duet Book 1) Page 9