by Natalie Ann
“Fear is a strong motivator,” he said.
“It is. Other doctors were giving me grief, telling me I had no right to do that. That their jobs were stressful enough as it was. Almost like it was fine if he had a drink or two, even though he was on call and shouldn’t have been drinking, or should have said he couldn’t come in.”
She lived her life by what she felt was right and wrong. Standing behind someone who was wrong should never happen. Good old boys club? Peer pressure? Turning a blind eye? Whatever words people put on it to stand up for Calvin were still wrong.
A child almost lost their life. Why did it seem like she was the only one willing to put her career on the line to fight for justice?
“He wouldn’t have been suspended unless it was proven,” he said. “No one takes those allegations lightly.”
“You’re right. They don’t. Because there was a lawsuit for the botched appendix surgery there was a pretty hefty investigation. Either Calvin is an idiot or cocky enough, but a few months went by and he showed up in the OR again having been drinking. He’d requested I wasn’t in the OR with him anymore and that was fine with me. But there were rumblings and I heard. I marched upstairs to the head of surgery, knocked on his door, and said I wasn’t leaving until someone went down and checked. I didn’t care if I got fired for it.”
“That takes a lot of balls.”
“It did. They knew I was serious. He’d been drinking. He said he only had a beer or two during a lunch meeting, but it didn’t matter. The damage was done. He was pulled out of the OR immediately and placed on administrative leave. Once word got out, the family that was suing decided to up their ante. They finally settled out of court because the hospital didn’t want this public knowledge, but the damage was done.”
“You shouldn’t have suffered for being a champion of the innocent, or those that needed a stronger voice than they had.”
The tears that she’d been battling back welled up in her eyes. He got her. When no one else but family did, Grey Baxter understood one of the biggest most important things in her life. He understood her.
“I shouldn’t have, but I did. It’s the way life is at times. I stand up for what I believe in and I got stomped on for it. But I’ve got morals and ethics and I’d do the same thing again if I had to.”
He reached his hand over and laid it on hers. “You’re a good person, Sierra. A strong one. Not many would do what you did. I’m guessing that you lost a lot of friends during this.”
“I did. Marissa doesn’t like attention and people knew we were related. Having her not stand behind me hurt the worst. I just couldn’t go to work anymore. I was a bundle of nerves always waiting for someone to confront me or make a comment knowing I was truly on my own. It seemed like David versus Goliath on a daily basis for me. I was being harassed by people. Those that would talk to me received the same treatment. Standing up for them didn’t make a difference either. It just wasn’t worth it and time to move on.”
“So again, protecting others by leaving. I want to think you left not just because you felt alone but also because you didn’t want others to feel what you were. I’m kind of glad you did or I would have never met you and had such a wonderful night in bed.”
She laughed. She’d needed that. She needed him to keep it light because deep down she was feeling a lot more for Grey Baxter than she ever thought she would. “There is that.”
18
Wear Her Down
A few days later, Grey was home looking in his fridge for something to make for dinner. It was such a pain to cook for one person, but he was sick and tired of takeout all the time too.
He pulled the eggs and cheese out and figured an omelet was the way to go. When his phone rang he set all the food down and picked it up hoping it was Sierra calling him. It was his mother.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Grey. How are you doing? I haven’t talked to you in a few weeks.”
Had it really been that long? It didn’t seem it, but time always got away from him.
Wasn’t that part of the problem whenever he was dating someone? They said he forgot too many things, important dates. He never actually forgot anything; it was more like he prioritized and then things got put in front or pushed back.
If he explained it that way, it didn’t bode so well for him either. But really, why do women expect you to remember their three-month dating anniversary anyway? Maybe if he remembered it, he’d get past those three months.
Or maybe not. If a woman was so concerned about those things and what gifts or special plans he was going to do for them for every little anniversary then they weren’t for him anyway.
“It hasn’t seemed that long, but I’ve talked with Colt and Jake more often so I guess I feel like I know what is going on.”
She laughed on the other end. “You always were the least talkative of the family. Are you happy for your brother?”
He knew she was asking about Jake and Rachel’s engagement. “Of course I am. Rachel’s great. She understands Jake and what he needs in his life.”
“It’s not as hard to find as you think,” his mother said. “You’ve always looked for the wrong things.”
Somehow he wasn’t shocked this got turned around on him. “I think the problem is I didn’t look for anything at all.”
“How is that? I thought you’ve been comparing everyone to Molly for years. We told you she wasn’t the one for you and you didn’t want to listen.”
He didn’t want to hear it right now either. “Lessons learned,” he said.
“So what is it you are looking for now? Or did you find it? I hear things seem to be going well with you and Sierra? You went to a wedding in Buffalo with her for the weekend?”
“Who told you, Jake or Colt?”
“Does it matter?” she asked. “Just answer my question.”
“Things are going well,” he said and knew it was the truth. Did Sierra admit they were more of a couple than friends with benefits after the weekend? No, she didn’t and if he learned one thing, he learned that she might not want to admit it.
He was just going to have to wear her down.
Was he missing her since he dropped her off on Sunday? Yes, he was.
They’d talked a bit more in the car about what happened to her a year ago. He was outraged at what she’d gone through and insisted not all doctors were like that.
She acknowledged that, and that not even all surgeons were, but she had a bad taste in her mouth and it was still a fresh canker sore that was hanging on and burning every time she ate something spicy.
He supposed he understood. He wanted to say he was proud of her for what she did. For standing up for herself and others, but he could see her guard was down. She was almost embarrassed over the tears, he knew too. So he did what he could and he made her laugh. He was pretty sure she knew how he felt about the situation. He’d even told her she was strong and it took courage. But saying he was proud to be with her and know her…yeah, that might be a little overkill for two people that weren’t on the same page as to what kind of relationship they had going on.
“When do we get to see her again?” his mother asked.
Well now, Sierra did say she wanted to get together with his family. And she’d been asking to see his house. Maybe she was playing it up for her family, but he was going to use it to his advantage.
“Actually, Sierra was just saying she’d like to see everyone again. How about I have everyone over for dinner this weekend? I can check with Colt, Jake, and Alexa to see if they are available.”
“That sounds lovely,” his mother said. “Let me know for sure and I’ll help with the food.”
That just made him realize that Sierra might not want to cook and he wasn’t all that great in the kitchen. “We’ll let you know,” he said, figuring he’d have to take her up on it or do what Colt does and cater it.
The minute he hung up with his mother, he started to crack eggs in a bowl, scrambling them, then putti
ng a pan on the stove to heat up.
He was just sliding his omelet on a plate when his phone rang again. This time it was Sierra. He’d wanted to call her but had been using the cooking time to figure out how to break the news to her about the family dinner he just planned.
“Hey there,” she said when he answered. Sure sounded like more than friends to him, but he didn’t bother to point that out.
“Hi right back. What are you doing?” he asked.
“Trying to figure out my dinner. How about you?”
He smiled. How was it possible they were on the same wavelength so much and weren’t even in the same space? “Just finished cooking mine.”
“What did you make?”
“A cheese omelet.”
“Sounds good if I had any eggs.”
“How can you not have eggs in your house? It’s like a staple.”
“Are you one of those people that has milk, bread, and eggs at all times?”
“Don’t forget peanut butter, cheese, beer, chips, and toilet paper. I’ve got them in my house at all times. I won’t starve then and I’m always clean.”
She laughed so loud, he pushed the phone back. “But your arteries might clog.”
“The price to pay to eat what we like.” He put a big piece of his egg in his mouth. He’d never been high maintenance. Not for food or possessions. Not like so many of the women he’d dated.
Was his mother right—was he looking for the wrong things? Or was he right that he wasn’t looking for the important things? Like strength, character, and personality?
All the things Sierra had.
“Food is food,” he said.
“It is, but I will admit I’d have to add chocolate and coffee to that list.”
“How could I forget coffee? I’d walk barefoot through ten feet of snow to get coffee.”
She laughed. “I would too. At least over eggs, milk, and bread. I’m missing all those things in the house, but I’ve got no shortage of coffee so I guess we know my priorities.”
He could hear her opening and closing cabinets. “Finding anything good?”
“Oatmeal,” she said. “It’s not expired either. Guess that will have to do. I normally get groceries on Saturday and, well, I was too busy exploring areas previously denied to me.”
He started to cough on the last bite of his eggs. “Would you rather have been grocery shopping?”
She snorted. “That’s a stupid question from a really smart guy. I won’t starve and it was totally worth it. I could have gotten groceries on Sunday, yesterday, or today.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Laundry on Sunday, yesterday I forgot. Today, the same thing. I could have gone out now but I’m in shorts and a T-shirt and I’ve got a hot bath in mind more than grocery shopping.”
His ears perked up a bit. “I remember another time you teased me with your hot bath and some wine. Is there wine in the house? I’d be glad to supply you with some and come wash your back.”
“You do know where I live as opposed to me knowing your address. I just know you live in Paradise. Do you have palm trees out front?”
“No. I’ve got trees in the back and rose bushes though. And speaking of my house and food. I invited my parents over for dinner this weekend...with you. I’ll let my siblings know too.”
There was silence on the other end. “I was kind of joking.”
“I wasn’t sure and she put me on the spot. You know what it’s like to be put on the spot by family members, right?”
“And yours are good at it,” she said back. “Mine aren’t nearly as bad.”
“Who are you kidding? Everyone was looking at me like I was your savior this weekend coming in on the white horse.”
“I bet you’d look good riding a horse too.”
She didn’t deny what he said. Interesting. “Do you know how to ride?” he asked, his voice gone a little husky, he knew.
“You’d like to find out, wouldn’t you?”
“You know I would.”
“Then maybe this weekend you can send me to paradise at your house. After your family all leaves, of course.”
“So you’ve got no problem with it?”
“I suppose not. I mean I dragged you out of town for a wedding, then you had to listen to me get reamed out by an ex-friend. All my dirty laundry was hung out to dry on a nice windy day. Having dinner with your family, whom I’ve already met, won’t be nearly as bad as that.”
“No, it won’t.” At least they wouldn’t be now. They’d gotten it out of their system thinking it was all a setup. Funny thing, it was back then, but now it wasn’t in his mind.
He heard the microwave go off. “Brown sugar and maple oatmeal doesn’t taste as good at night as it does in the morning when I’m half awake.”
“That’s because your taste buds are still sleeping in the morning and don’t mind what you put in your mouth.”
“My taste buds loved what I had in my mouth on Sunday morning.”
He hadn’t realized it was possible for him to blush, but he felt the heat filling his face, his cock stirring in his shorts. “You keep talking like that and I will be over soon with that wine.”
“Speaking of wine. I’ll bring that this weekend. Just tell me what everyone likes?”
“I’ll get all the alcohol. Or we can pick it out together if you want? I’m more worried about the food. What do you know how to cook?”
She laughed so hard and loud he had to hold the phone back again. “I’ve got to cook dinner for your family?”
“I can help. I know how and my mother offered too. My culinary talents are rather limited though to grilling.”
“You’ve got talents in other areas,” she said. “It should be nice enough out to grill, maybe. Have you checked the weather?”
“No. Let me find out if anyone has plans for Saturday. If not, we can do that and maybe you wouldn’t mind spending the night? You could help me shop too,” he said.
“I want time to see your house. Don’t you think it’d be odd if I was just seeing it for the first time and I’m supposed to help you cook? I won’t know where everything is.”
“You could stay Friday then? Get the tour, we could pick up the food and drink. I’ve got a big jetted soaker tub.”
“Now you’re playing dirty.”
Or smart enough to know where her weaknesses were. “Is that a yes?”
“I think it is.”
19
Piece of Meat
“Are you sure you’re okay waiting for me?” Grey asked her at lunch on Friday. “I’ve got surgery in ninety minutes and I might not be getting out on time. I didn’t realize it when we made plans.”
“It’s fine. I understand. Maybe I’ll just go home and you can text me when you’re done. I’m sure I can find my way to your house just fine without having to follow you there.”
She thought it was sweet that he wanted to do that, but completely unnecessary.
“But you’ve got your clothes in your car already,” he said.
“So? It’s not like they are going to spoil if they stay there. Actually, I could run to the store and pick up the food if you want.”
“No, we can do it together. I need to look at the steaks before I buy them.”
She batted her eyelashes at him. “You don’t trust me to pick out a good piece of meat.”
“You do that shit on purpose,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“Try to get a reaction out of me.”
“I’m trying to get a rise out of you.”
“One might find that odd coming from a friend.”
She pursed her lips. It was not the first time he’d made that comment. Brought up the friends with benefits arrangement they were supposed to have. She didn’t know what it was now.
It might have been easier to hang onto that thought if he wasn’t so sweet. If he wasn’t so considerate. If he didn’t make her feel good about everything, even herself.
&nb
sp; When she talked to him, she smiled.
When she thought of him, she got turned on.
If days went by with only a few texts or less, she was missing him.
Some might say she had it bad. Which was why she wasn’t letting anyone know how she felt until she could get a handle on it herself.
She was still even playing it up for Cori that she was only using Grey for his body.
It was one fine body to use so she didn’t feel that guilty about it.
But was it wrong to keep giving off that impression when she didn’t know what she wanted anymore?
The bad feelings she had toward doctors didn’t have anything to do with Grey. He was nothing like they were. He’d never be that way.
She’d bet he would have even sided with her rather than Calvin. He wouldn’t be someone to just turn a blind eye if he knew all the facts.
There were plenty of others that just stayed out of the drama. She wouldn’t bring them in either. It wasn’t her way. She did what she felt was right, end of story. It wasn’t up to her to rally people in her corner. If she’d been wrong, she would have admitted it.
She wasn’t though. She’d been right and Calvin had no one to blame but himself.
“Ah, but we are friends that have special benefits,” she whispered as she leaned closer.
People saw them together for lunch more often now, but no one had asked her point blank if she was seeing Grey. She was kind of glad of that, as she wouldn’t know what to say.
It’s not like the two of them had that discussion again since it all started over a month ago.
He shook his head at her and gathered up the remains of his lunch. “I need to get back. I’ll text you when I’m done. If you’re still here, then you can follow me over. If you don’t hear from me by the time you get out, go run your errands, but don’t get the food or drink. We can do it tomorrow morning.”