His Many Rules

by Ali Parker

  "I'm thinking that's fate telling you that this isn't the guy for you." She pulled out her key fob and hit it a few times. "I hate looking for this car. I should have gotten something besides white!"

  "You think fate's telling me that I shouldn't be with Kendal?" I snorted. "I think the fates have been slapping you in the face for the last three years. You don't belong with Luke. He's a jerk and you're not happy."

  "We're focusing on your problems for the duration of this trip. You're the one that needed to get away, remember? I'm not running from Luke."

  "Right. You're dying on the vine right next to him." I put my hand on my hip as she loaded the suitcase in the back of her car. "Look at me and tell me you love him."

  "How's love working out for you, Dana? Something you'd like me to experience too?" She closed the trunk and pursed her lips.

  I let out a long sigh and moved toward her, leaning into the warmth she offered. "I'm sorry. I just want the best for you."

  "I know. I just don't know what the best is right now. I can't keep living in a childhood fantasy. Cade isn't coming back to be a part of anything in my life now, you know?"

  "I know. You're right. I'll leave it be." I moved back and reached up to smooth down her hair. "Thank you for letting me come crash your life."

  "Thank you for giving me something other than my life to think about." She snorted. "Come on. People are going to think we're lesbians if we keep hugging and petting each other."

  "And?" I laughed and walked to my side of the car, getting in.

  "And my face is printed on the side of a billboard downtown. All I need is a client to call up Luke and tell him I'm cheating on him... with a woman! He'd beg me for a month to just sit back and watch the show."

  "Too far." I rolled my eyes and buckled up. "Speaking of Luke-"

  "He's at a convention for the next few days. It's just us."

  "Nice. I need to get a charger after this tour so I can bring my phone back to life. I misjudged everything Kendal's been up to lately. I need to apologize and tell him that we can talk when I get back home." I glanced out the window as we drove away from the airport. "That is if he still wants to talk to me."

  "He's in love with you. I know he is. I just want to make sure he's the right guy."

  "He is. I love his kindness, his sexiness, the way he watches me when we're together. He's mind-blowing in bed and has this aggressive alpha male persona that comes out and makes me want to be so naughty for him." I glanced back over at her as warmth coated my cheeks and chest.

  She laughed. "Please, don't stop. I love seeing you get all hot and bothered over a guy. That's usually my part in the school play."

  I snorted. "I love you. I'm glad you're free for a few days. Did you have to clear your calendar?"

  "Yep, but it's no big deal. I just told them it was a family emergency." She pointed out her window. "There are some great apartments right here by the hospital that we can rent for you when you get here."

  "They're beautiful." I studied them and couldn't help but wonder what Kendal would think. I wasn't sure if he was still willing to be a part of my future, but if he was, and if New York was part of the deal, then I didn't give a shit where we lived. As long as we were together.

  "Okay. Let's get this over with." She smiled and pulled into the parking lot. "You want me to leave you alone with Dr. Crawford or come into the meeting?"

  "You can come. No worries." I got out and walked toward the large glass door entrance. The hospital was beautiful and insanely busy. We stopped by the receptionist desk and checked in, got Dr. Crawford's office number and made our way to the elevator.

  I couldn't help but look for Parks. Jackie would die to know that I was in the same hospital as him. Or maybe not. I wasn't sure if the two of them were on the up or not.

  "This way," Olivia whispered as we got out of the elevator and walked down the hallway toward a hallway of offices. "You want me to wait here?"

  She didn't want to go in for some reason. She asked twice already. That was code for 'don't make me do it' from our childhood. I decided to honor it.

  "No. I'm good. Be right back." I walked down the hall and stopped outside the door with Dr. Aiden Crawford on it. Knocking softly, I leaned in.

  "Dr. Crawford?"

  "Come on in," a deep voice called from the other side.

  I pushed the door open and walked in, a little taken aback by how handsome the guy was. Dark brown hair played along his forehead and blue eyes the color of the ocean searched my face.

  "You must be Dana Young. Please, come in." He stood behind his desk, his hand out as if offering me a seat. "I only have about ten minutes but all ten of them are yours." He smiled and I almost felt sorry for him. There was no way he wasn't getting hit on a million times a day. Being sexy was almost a curse in a place like a hospital. Depravity and lust were abundant because of the long shifts and the need for someone to understand you. Was he married? I didn't see a ring. Maybe Jackie should try for him instead of Parks.

  I sat down and cupped my hands in my lap. "I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. I'm working now as an intern under Dr. Nate Lewis in Dallas."

  "Nate!" His smile grew wide. "He's my brother."

  "He told me that you guys were related. He's supposed to reach out in the spring to talk with you about me maybe coming on then as a resident or a nursing assistant or-"

  "What a small world. I got a call from Luke Taylor about you. He's a patron here at the hospital. Him and his brother." He leaned back and cupped his hands over his stomach. "And you're working for my brother. Well, stepbrother. I was adopted by his family when I lost mine."

  "I'm sorry." My heart contracted. Lost his family? Like all of them?

  "It was a long time ago. The Lewis family was really good to me." He tapped the desk, his eyes filled with what appeared to be excitement. "Let's get you to fill out some paperwork for me and we'll work on scholarships if you need them and seeing what the interview process might look like for you next spring. My right-hand guy can get all of that for you. I'll buzz him and ask him to meet you by the exit in the ER with a packet."

  "Sounds great." I stood up. "I shouldn't keep you."

  He stood and extended his hand. "Thank you for coming by. I wish I had time. I'd take you to lunch. Do tell my brother I said hello."

  I nodded and released his hand before walking to the door. I opened it and paused, glancing back. "Who am I looking for downstairs?"

  "Parks."

  "Okay. Thanks." I walked out to find Olivia waiting. Of course I'd get to run into Parks.

  "It go okay?"

  "Perfectly. I have to grab a packet from one of his doctors before we go. Just some pre-interview paperwork."

  "That sounds promising!" She slipped her arm into mine as we walked toward the elevator.

  "I think so. As long as Kendal is willing to come up here... I'll be set."

  "And if he isn't?" She moved into the elevator and held the door for me.

  "I don't know. I'm in love with him, and I think if we could come to some type of mutual understanding of what we were each going to let go of-"

  "Or give."

  "Right, or give to the relationship, then I would be willing to move forward." I rubbed my chest. "I can't imagine life without him. That's for sure."

  "Then you shouldn't have to. We'll grab a phone charger on the way to De Luca." She walked out of the elevator and I spotted Parks from across the room.

  Three nurses were gathered around him, none of them seeming to care much that the other two were flirting outright with the playboy.

  "Parks?" I walked up and thought he might recognize me, but no luck.

  "Hey there. You must be Dana." He extended his hand. "I'm Parks. I was actually down in Dallas a while back. Great hospital. Good staff and kick ass BBQ down the street."

  I laughed, quickly realizing his charm was just being who he was and nothing more. "My friend Jackie talks about you a lot."

  "Oh
yea?" He handed me the packet. "Not sure I remember a Jackie, but you'd be surprised how many girls don't give their real names." He shrugged and his smile faded a little.

  "That's her real name. We came up and she visited you a couple weeks ago."

  He lifted his eyebrows. "Oh yeah. I think I remember her. Brown hair? Green eyes? Really tall?"

  That wasn't Jackie at all.

  "Um, yeah. Alright. Thanks for this." I lifted the packet and turned around to join Olivia. Did he really not remember Jackie?

  What an asshole. And I was worried about Kendal not being great. He was a million times better than the jack-wagon behind me.

  Why anyone would give him the time of day was beyond me. I had to tell Jackie - stat.

  Chapter 56

  Kendal

  I made a quick stop by the flower market on the way downtown to see her. My heart was racing, my palms sweaty. It felt like I was going on my first date again. A joyous laugh bubbled up in me.

  I was free. No more letting my job rule my life. Never again. I'd be Dana's whatever for as long as she'd have me. We could build the house of her dreams and start working on making babies.

  A growl lodged in my throat as my body woke up. My first act after apologizing and smothering her in kisses was to find a way to get her home and in my bed. I needed to spend the next few days worshiping her. I'd fucked up.

  Why couldn't I see that before?

  Too much on my plate. A laugh bubbled up and poured from my lips as I tore into the parking lot at the hospital and parked. Clarity was mine, and with it, I could make things right.

  I jogged toward the hospital entrance, ignoring the odd looks I received. Most people ran toward the hospital, but not with a big ass smile on their faces. Unless they were having a little one.

  A baby.

  My heart swelled in my chest. Never before had I had such a clear cut path to where I was going and how to make it happen. All I needed was for Dana to forgive me. To comply. My jog slowed to a fast walk. Was there a better way to do this?

  Was rushing into the hospital with flowers enough? I stopped just outside the door and let my thoughts overwhelm me.

  She wasn't just any girl. She was the woman I wanted to wear my ring and own my last name.

  "Kendal?"

  "Nate. Hey man." I extended my hand and smiled. "How are you?"

  He pulled me into a quick hug and stepped back. "I'm okay. I asked Dana about you and she said you would be calling."

  "Sorry. It's been crazy at the school." I ran my fingers through my hair and looked past him. "I'm coming to dinner as soon as you invite me. It's alright that I bring her with me?"

  He glanced over his shoulder and back at me, chuckling. "You okay? Looking for her?"

  "Yes. I messed up bad with her." I let out a long sigh and lifted the flowers. "I suck at this relationship stuff."

  "I always did too, son." He smiled and slipped his hands into his white coat. "You just need to be yourself. You're a good man. She'll recognize that."

  "Thank you." I glanced down at the ground and back up at him. "Is she here? Do you know?"

  "She's actually not, but I don't know where she is. Her best friend is Jackie. Blond nurse on the second floor."

  "Oh yeah. I know Jackie. We went to New York with her a while back."

  "I'm not going to ask why." He tilted his head to the side and smiled, seemingly knowing far too much for his own good. "How about dinner Saturday night? Denise and I will tell the poor girl how incredible you are."

  I laughed. "I might need the help. Sounds good. We'll be there. Six good?"

  "Perfect." He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. "Good luck with the girl. I'm sure you've got everything inside of you to convince her that you're the one. Just lean on that."

  "Thanks, Nate." I moved past him as someone called out to him from down the hallway.

  "Dr. Lewis. We need you in room four."

  I glanced back to see him jogging that way. He took the time to lift his hand in the air and wave. I responded in kind. Where I was depressed that Dana wasn't at the hospital, it felt good to see Nate. He was a good man, and from what Dana said, he was losing his wife.

  I moved into the elevator and pressed my back against the far wall. My heart hurt for him. Loving Dana for the rest of my life would be bliss, but to lose her after the kids were gone and it was finally our time to enjoy life alone together?

  Impossibly painful.

  The elevator opened, and I moved out, looking for a blond with a name tag I could recognize.

  "Mr. Tarrington?" One of the other nurses stood up from behind a desk. I'd seen her a few times during Mandy's stay up there, but couldn't remember her name. If her name badge had been anywhere but her tit, I'd have glanced down at it.

  "Yeah. I was, um, looking for my girlfriend, but she seems to have taken the day off." I glanced around, feeling a little out of sorts.

  "Who is your girlfriend?" The scorn in the girl's voice was a little surprising.

  "Dana Young." I turned and pinned her with a hard stare. "She's a nurse here. She helped with my sister's passing."

  "Kendal." Jackie walked toward me.

  "Hey." I let out a sigh of relief and walked toward her. "Is Dana here? Nate said she wasn't, but he wasn't sure where she was. I need to find her. I have to apologize for being an idiot."

  She smiled and glanced down at the flowers. "Who's Nate?"

  "Dr. Lewis, idiot," the other nurse called from behind me.

  Jackie flipped her off, smiling so big all of her teeth showed.

  I chuckled and glanced over my shoulder. "Make sure I get her name. Nate should know how unpleasant she is."

  "Done," Jackie mumbled. "Dana is in New York."

  I jerked around to face her again. "New York? What the hell?"

  "She's upset. She thinks this thing between the two of you is a mistake, so she ran. She's tired and the poor girl has never been in a good relationship. Never."

  "Dammit." I growled and pulled out my phone, texting her. "I wish she would pick up the phone. She misunderstood everything I said last night."

  "Or maybe you simply didn't say it right. Or maybe you didn't say the right things." She reached out and brushed something off of my shoulder, forcing me to return my attention to her. "She's completely in love with you. I'd never be willing to transfer my internship and degree plan to another school for someone else, but that's what she's been talking about for a few weeks now. We all think she's crazy."

  "She is crazy." I smiled, unable to help myself. "She's not going to have to make any changes. I turned in my resignation today. I'm done with the university. I came to tell her. To apologize."

  "Then go to New York." She shrugged and reached for the flowers. "You want me to put these into water? They're not going to last on a plane."

  I smirked. "Just keep them for yourself for helping me."

  "Really?" Her smile lifted. She was a pretty girl with rough edges. I couldn't help but wonder if she was in a good relationship. By the dark circles under her eyes, I'd think she was as bad off as Dana had been lately. Thanks to me. Fuck. I had so much to make up to my beautiful girl.

  "Absolutely. Thank you, Jackie." I turned and jogged back to the elevator.

  "Are you going after her?"

  "I don't know. I think so."

  "You should! It's so romantic."

  I slipped into the elevator and closed my eyes. It was romantic, but would she accept me if I showed up unannounced? She was with Olivia. She had to be.

  Walking to the car, I realized that I was out of options. She was the only thing I wanted in my life. She gets all of me, one-hundred percent. Now to find out if that's what she still wants.

  I got in the car and hit Damon's number.

  "What's up buddy? How did it go with the girl?"

  "It didn't," I mumbled and pulled out of the parking lot. "She ran to New York to get away from me."

  "Damn... that's pretty powerful stuff." He lau
ghed.

  "Fuck you too. Can you get Linda to find me a flight? I need something now and fast."

  "Sure can. I'll even spot you for first class. You've had a bitch of a day. Let me help make it better."

  "Why am I worried that you're going to come a'callin’ soon for your paybacks?"

  "Me?" He sounded so innocent. Sickeningly so. "Never. I just like giving away my time, money and cunningness."

  "Alright, man. What do you want from me?" I put on my blinker and glanced over my shoulder as I pulled onto the freeway. I didn't have clothes or bathroom stuff or anything.

  "For you to be happy, Kendal. You know that."

  "And what does that mean to you?"

  "Get the girl back, love on her some and then call me. You're going to need a job and money. You're a high-dollar guy. You'll cut through your savings in no time."

  "Thank you, Dad." I smirked.

  "You have a job waiting for you here."

  "And if I decide to move to New York next spring with Dana?"

  "Then you can work from an office there or from your house. Your choice. It's me you're talking to. I don't care what the fucking arrangement is. I want you happy and taken care of."

  "I feel like a trust-fund baby." I pressed my foot down on the gas. "Get me the ticket and text me the info please. Let's start with that and we'll see what happens when I get back from New York."

  "Done. Be safe, brother." He dropped the call and relief flooded my system.

  I wasn't usually a fly by the seat of my pants type of guy, but it felt good to do something crazy. Flying across the US to tell a woman that I was in love with her felt very adventurous. I prayed she would see the depths of my heart when I stood before her.

  She had to. I wasn't leaving until she did.

  "Where are you, baby?" I pulled my phone from my ear and walked toward a cab in the airport in New York. The flight had been excellent, the first class ticket probably the reason behind that.

  Dana still wasn't answering her phone, which was typical of her. It was something we would have to talk about. Her being upset in the future and needing space was going to be a regular occurrence from what I could tell, but I needed to be able to reach her.