Teach Me Something (Something Series Book 4)

by Aubrey Bondurant

  She shook her head adamantly. “No way. You want to appear like you’re busy, not waiting on his response. Don’t you think, Will?”

  Will set down the new round of drinks he must’ve grabbed on his way back. While doing so, he gave me a strange look, and then turned towards Kenzie, who was now downing the whiskey he’d placed in front of her. “What’s that?”

  “We were saying that since Catherine had no response, she absolutely shouldn’t text again. Gotta keep up the illusion of being busy doing better things, right?”

  He nodded, appearing all sorts of distracted.

  “Everything okay? Your stomach any better?” I questioned.

  He sighed. “Sorry. No, I’m still feeling poorly, but I got some ginger ale, which should help settle it.”

  Kenzie patted him on the arm. “Poor thing. We shouldn’t have danced earlier if I’d known you weren’t feeling good. Well, you two, I’m off to bed and to charge my phone so I can give hell to a certain someone.” Given the pointed look she sent Will, I assumed he must know who it was. “Catherine, it was so nice spending time with you this weekend. Thanks for helping me with the clothes shopping and good luck with the texting.”

  I hugged her and thanked her for the assistance.

  Surprisingly, Will stayed with me at the table after she left, waiting for me to finish up my last glass of wine. “Has she been helping you all weekend with the texting?”

  “Only tonight. But Haylee and Sasha assisted yesterday. Someday I’ll get the hang of it on my own.” I laughed but realized his eyes had narrowed. Had I said something to offend him?

  “Don’t you feel like he may be getting someone who isn’t really you?”

  “Uh, he’s getting me, just a flirtier version who’s more fun. Does it really matter?” I found it odd that he cared.

  He sighed. “I guess not. I think I’m calling it a night. Are you on the eight o’clock flight tomorrow morning to New York?”

  Haylee had offered me the opportunity to travel back with her family on the private jet in the late afternoon, but I’d wanted to get an early start on my return, so I’d opted for commercial. “I am. We could share a car to the airport if you’d like?” I downed the rest of my wine, thinking it was about time to get up to my own room, pack, and call it a night.

  “Yeah, that sounds good.” He stood up and walked with me to the elevator where he pressed the button for our floor—we were all staying on the same one.

  Since Calvin wasn’t actually someone I was seeing, I decided to ignore Kenzie’s advice about sending another text and typed out one last message to him.

  “Good night. See you on Tuesday night.”

  Will watched me curiously and then physically winced when his phone chirped in his pocket, indicating an incoming text.

  “Weird timing,” I muttered. My eyes traveled to Will’s strong hands and forearms, a sight that I’d memorized during my meetings with Calvin. Snapping my eyes to the uncannily familiar blue ones, I observed the deep red he was turning and fought my panic.

  It couldn’t be.

  One way to find out. I hit the call button and listened to the ringtone of Will’s phone immediately come to life.

  The elevator started to move up, and I recalled the time I’d thought Calvin’s voice had inadvertently slipped into a slight Australian accent. His pause about me going to Vegas for the weekend, and lastly his reaction to having Kenzie help me text.

  Will was Calvin.

  Calvin was Will.

  Oh, God. The air seemed to be evaporating from the small space in the elevator, and I suddenly couldn’t breathe.

  “How long?” I barely got out, feeling my face hot with humiliation.

  He knew what I was asking and didn’t bother to deny anything, instead looking me straight in the eyes. “Only since you texted me the picture of your martini glass earlier, but it’s not a big deal, really.”

  “Not a big deal?” I could feel my voice rising. Since the elevator was dinging on our floor, I lowered it, afraid I’d be overheard. “I gave you a list, and we talked about—” I couldn’t begin to go there in my head. The things I’d discussed with Calvin—I mean, Will.

  “Catherine, it’s okay. It was all in confidence and—”

  I didn’t let him finish, instead beelining for my room only a few doors down. “I can’t. I can’t possibly discuss this right now.”

  When faced with the fight or flight situation, my flight instincts were taking over, fueled by the humiliation that this man knew intimate details about my sex life, details I’d never shared with anyone. That we were in the same professional circle; he was a model with whom I’d worked. And that worst of all, he was within my inner group of friends.

  “Let me come in a few minutes and we’ll talk.”

  I turned and shook my head. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t.” And with those parting words, I bolted into my room and leaned up against the door once it clicked shut. I waited until I could hear his retreating footsteps before letting out the breath I’d been holding.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I didn’t sleep much after the revelation that Calvin was Will. Evidently discovering someone you were only acquainted with casually through friends now knew that you wanted to be tied up in bed, the make and model of your vibrator, and all of your insecurities meant a restless night.

  I’d taken a long, hot bath, hoping to relax last night, but it hadn’t helped. So of course I’d stayed up to make a list of the reasons I shouldn’t worry, which only made me more anxious. Thinking about it in retrospect the next morning, I realized I should’ve taken the time to talk it out last night instead of fleeing into my room. As I packed up the last of my things to get ready for my flight, I noticed the message on my second phone from Calvin, aka Will. Apparently sent last night, it simply said,

  “I would never tell anyone and I’d hope you would offer the same courtesy in return. If you don’t wish to share a car in the morning to the airport, I understand. I don’t want things to be uncomfortable between us.”

  How could I possibly be angry with him for this situation? It wasn’t like he’d caused it any more than I had. I regretted the way I’d left things last night, and now in the morning light, I wanted nothing more than to smooth it over as quickly as possible. It might be extraordinarily awkward, but I responded that I’d meet him in ten minutes down in the lobby to share a ride to the airport. Then I figuratively put on my big girl panties to face him.

  He wasn’t there. Since his last text had come in after he’d left my door last night and he hadn’t heard back until I’d responded just now, the chances were he’d gone on without me. Realizing I couldn’t wait any longer if I was to make my flight, I got in the car and texted him again on the way.

  “I’m on my way to the airport. Hopefully you’re already there?” Then deciding to offer an apology for last night, I typed, “I’m sorry about my reaction last night. I guess I needed time to process.”

  No response by the time I’d made it past security and sat waiting in the boarding area. I’d opted to skip the first class lounge in the hopes of seeing him, but it wasn’t until I was about to board that I heard his sexy voice come up behind me. I couldn’t believe I didn’t realize he was Calvin sooner. There should have been no mistaking his husky tone even if he had been covering up his Australian accent with an American one at Club Travesty.

  “Hiya Catherine. Sorry I missed your text this morning. I was running late.”

  I turned to face him and immediately noticed how pale he appeared. “Are you still not feeling well?”

  He shook his head. “Nope, not so much. I think I must have food poisoning. Anyhow, you didn’t have to apologize.”

  I cut him off. “No, I did. I overreacted.”

  He started to chuckle but then gripped his stomach. “Ow, laughing hurts. You definitely didn’t overreact; you just reacted to quite the shock. Anyhow, I think they’re calling for first class, which is probably you, right?”


  It was, but for a moment I was reluctant to leave him or this conversation. “Right. So we’re okay, then?”

  He nodded, giving me a wan smile. “Of course we are.”

  “Are you certain you’ll be all right for the flight?”

  He took a sip of his bottle of water and nodded. “Yeah. I plan on sleeping most of the way, anyhow.”

  After I took my seat in the second row, I found myself scanning the faces of each person who boarded, waiting for his. When my pulse raced upon seeing him walk in, I convinced myself it was only because I was anxious about his knowledge of so many personal things about me. That had to be it.

  He tipped his head and smiled before proceeding back into the coach section to take his seat.

  We landed after the four-hour flight, and I was one of the first to deplane. But I waited for Will, who must’ve been sitting in the rear since he was one of the last ones off. He didn’t look well at all, which was saying a lot since normally he was exceptional to look at.

  “You’re not well, are you?” I asked.

  He looked shocked at seeing me standing there. “No, not great. Were you waiting on me?”

  His eyes were glassy. Before I could register the appropriateness of my action, I put the back of my hand to his forehead. He was on fire. “Jesus, Will, you’re burning up. Do you think you may have the flu?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so, more like shooting pain on my right side. And you didn’t answer my question.”

  “I only waited to assure you that I wouldn’t say anything, either. You know, what you said in your text from last night.”

  He nodded briefly before grimacing in pain and clutching his side.

  “Do you think it could be your appendix?”

  His expression flashed panic before we both walked slowly towards the exit. Apparently, he hadn’t checked a bag, either. “I sure hope not. Maybe it was something I ate yesterday.”

  “I think you should go to the hospital to make sure. My driver should be outside, so I can take you.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t really do doctors.” Again with the agony etched on his handsome features.

  “I don’t think that’s the best motto at the moment considering you look like you’re about to pass out with pain.” Growing up the daughter of a physician, I definitely didn’t share his viewpoint.

  His pallor had gone almost green now, and sweat beaded on his brow. “It’s just that I don’t have medical insurance, so I don’t want to go to the emergency room if I can help it.” The way he swallowed hard with the words told me this admission didn’t come easy for him.

  “Look, my father is a doctor. A heart surgeon, actually, but I’m sure he has a clue as to what appendicitis is. Come on, let’s get in the back of the car, and I’ll call him.”

  He hesitated, and I took his arm. “Will, I’m not leaving you here or in a taxi when you’re feeling this way. We’ll have a five-minute conversation to see if he thinks you should go to the ER.”

  He finally nodded, and we headed out to the waiting sedan. I said hello to Sherman, handed over our things, and popped inside with Will, who cringed as he scooted into the backseat.

  Calling my dad on a Sunday was always a crapshoot as he could be on the golf course, but luck was on my side. He picked up the phone.

  “Hi, honey. How are you?” he greeted.

  I smiled whenever I heard his kind voice, full of endless energy though he was in his sixties.

  “Good, Dad. Um, I have a friend, though, who’s having some severe pain on the right side of his stomach and seems to be running a fever.”

  “Is he with you now?”

  I glanced over at Will. “Yes, we’re in my car, and I’m wondering whether to take him to the emergency room or not.”

  “Call me back on FaceTime.” And just like that, my father hung up.

  Taking a deep breath, I realized Will and I were about to cross over a personal line by involving my family. I hoped my smile was reassuring. “My father wants to FaceTime you if that’s okay.”

  He seemed mildly surprised, but nodded his consent.

  I dialed. My dad’s concerned face came into view after two rings and I had to smile because he was already in doctor mode with a medical book in front of him.

  “Hello, young man, my name is Dr. Davenport. But if you’re a friend of Cathy’s, you can call me Tom.”

  Will took the phone, giving him a half smile. “Hiya Tom. I’m Will. Thank you for taking the time.”

  My dad, long used to getting calls from neighbors, family, and pretty much anyone who had his number, waved him off. “Not a worry. Tell me about your symptoms, son.”

  Will rattled off that he’d first felt nauseous yesterday morning, but the fever and terrible pains in his back and stomach hadn’t started until overnight, progressively getting worse. The whole time he spoke, I thought about my selfishness in retreating to my room while he’d been feeling this way. But he hadn’t let on. My ex-husband would’ve been whining to anyone who would listen about a simple hangnail.

  “Do me a favor, Will. Have Cathy take the phone and point it so I can see your stomach. I need to view both sides as I’m checking for swelling, particularly on the right one.”

  Holding the phone, I positioned it above Will’s impressive six-pack after he lifted his shirt. But instead of the sound of my father’s voice, my mom’s unfortunately came through.

  “My God, would you look at those abs? Cathy, please tell me the word ‘friend’ is only a cover so your parents won’t know you’re in reality sleeping with this man.”

  My mother never failed to embarrass me with her lack of filter. I could practically feel my ears turning pink. Although I was horrified, Will, despite his pain, was cracking a smile.

  “Mom, would you please let Dad examine him?” I put the phone towards my face, giving her a pointed look which said, ‘contain your crazy please.’

  Her shrug let me know she was only giving in for the moment.

  After she returned the phone to my father, he apologized. “Sorry, kids, had to grab my glasses. But I see your mother doesn’t need any. Aim the phone towards his left side, then his right.”

  I did as he requested.

  “It’s hard to tell if the right side is distended or swollen on the screen. Cathy, can you be a dear and feel both sides to see if the right one feels more swollen than the left?”

  My face started to heat at the prospect of touching him, and he didn’t help my predicament when he bit his lip. Whether in pain or not, his action was sexy as hell.

  Taking a deep breath, I put each of my hands on either side of his abs, simultaneously noting how soft his skin was. Probably because he was so young. And that’s what I needed to remind myself. I wasn’t a cradle-robber. His baby-smooth skin was because he was closer to a child than to my age. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but still, he was way too young for me to be this turned on by touching his taut, tanned, completely lickable…. No, no, no. Get off that train of thought, pronto.

  My Dad’s voice snapped me out of practically drooling over poor Will sitting there in an immense amount of pain.

  “Press down slightly on both sides, letting go of the left one first. It should be most painful, Will, once she releases the pressure on the right side.”

  Following directions, I felt the breath leave him with only the slight pressure I put on his left side. But he almost looked like he was going to pass out when I lifted my fingers, as my father had instructed, on the right one.

  “It definitely feels a little swollen and, judging by his face, I’d say when I released the right side, it’s much worse.”

  “Get him to the ER stat, Cathy. I’m nine-five percent sure you have appendicitis, young man, and need to get it out, especially if you’ve been suffering with the symptoms for some time now.”

  Will grimaced while I thought back to the fact that he didn’t have any medical insurance. But this had the potential to be serious, so I d
irected Sherman to drive us to New York Presbyterian Hospital. Hopefully, on a Sunday afternoon there wouldn’t be a lot of traffic into the city.

  “Thanks, Dad,” I said, waving goodbye as my mother’s face came into view again. I should’ve guessed she wasn’t done yet.

  “You bring that good-looking hunk of a man up for dinner any time. Oh, and the shirt is completely optional.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Mom, he can hear you.” Stealing a glance towards Will, I noticed the amused smile tugging at his lips.

  “Doesn’t bother me. And I make a mean Irish stew, although if you’re English—I have a hard time telling those foreign type accents apart—you might not want that. What do the English eat, Tom?” she yelled toward my dad.

  “How the hell would I know? I’m American. Fix him ribs or burgers. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  Okay, I needed to end this conversation before it careened even more out of control. This comedy routine, although typical for them, was embarrassing as hell for me. Will didn’t help when he answered her.

  “I’m Australian, for the record, and ribs or burgers sounds fantastic. Thanks again for your help, Dr. Davenport, and nice to meet you, Mrs. Davenport.”

  I knew my mother was probably beside herself with his lovely manners. She got out a “We’re only a short train ride away near Boston—” before I hung up on her. I loved my mother dearly, but she had a tendency to drive me batty.

  “Ow. Laughing hurts. Your mother is a top chick,” he commented with a smirk.

  “She’s certainly something,” I mumbled figuring the translation of that had to be something with the word crazy in it. I then amended. “In her mild defense, she’s sort of turned into a matchmaker momzilla after the divorce. She tries to set me up with every eligible bachelor she sees. Having your shirt pulled up clearly put you as a frontrunner in a hurry.”

  A smile crossed his face. “No worries. Mine’s not so different about trying to set me up.”

  “But you’re practically a baby.” One who had an amazing body with golden skin that made my body tingle with desire. Bad, bad Catherine.