Irresistible: A Salvation Society Novel

by R. C. Stephens

  “Well, she left the last job because her and her boss were hooking up, and then it ended. Now she’s working in a new place. You should check it out,” she says.

  “I’m sure it’s a cool place, but you know I’m not getting a tattoo,” I tell her.

  “You never know. Maybe the sexy SEAL will have you engrave his name or call sign on your behind,” she says, and then she laughs.

  “Yeah, not happening,” I say. Bennett’s call sign is Asshat. “I better get going. I hope everything works out for Ella.”

  “Me too, but who knows? The girl falls in and out of love so easily. It’s hard not to get whiplash,” she says.

  “Ah! So it runs in the family,” I say, and give her a playful wink.

  “Unfortunately, there are just so many handsome men out there. Problem is, most of them are frogs,” she says.

  “Hear, hear to that,” I say.

  “Aw! Come on. You found yourself a good one,” she says.

  “I did,” I say. I really want to believe Bennett and I can make this work because I’ve never had this type of connection with someone before.

  “Oh, Avery. You’re just the person I need to see.” Dr. Rudgers stops in front of Cindy and me.

  “Hello, Dr. Rudgers. How can I help you?” I ask, using my professional tone.

  He frowns.

  I look to Cindy. She raises her eyebrows. “Gotta go.” She turns on her heel.

  “There’s a new patient in 4E; he’s still in recovery, but I want to set him up with PT in a couple weeks. Problem is he’s rejecting therapy right now,” he says.

  It’s my turn for my lips to turn down. It’s sad when a patient feels like they have nothing to work towards. “I can look over the file and see what I can do,” I offer. There have been times when I can get through to a patient.

  “Thanks. I’ve had Vivian speak with him a few times. It wasn’t helping and I don’t want to push too hard,” he says. Vivian is one of the psychologists we have on-site. She’s wonderful but I get that some personalities just respond differently to different people.

  “I understand,” I say. “So I’ll keep a look out for the file then,” I say, turning to leave.

  “Ah! Avery, I . . . uh, was thinking we never did get a chance to go out for our dinner,” he says.

  Right. The dinner I had agreed to as friends. Dr. Rudgers is clearly not interested in me as a friend.

  Monica walks by and smiles to me. Great timing, she has.

  “I’m. . . kind of seeing someone,” I say. Geez! That sounds bad.

  “Oh, I see. It isn’t Mr. Sheridan, is it? Because that would be against hospital rules,” he says, surprising the bejesus out of me.

  “Um . . .well. It is Mr. Sheridan. He is no longer a patient at this hospital. We didn’t connect until after he was discharged,” I say. It isn’t completely true, but . . .

  “Well, that isn’t my business, I guess. I just thought I should tell you that HR frowns upon such things, and I’ve heard employees can lose their job,” he says.

  I’m not sure if he’s threatening me or giving me a friendly warning. “I appreciate your concern, but Mr. Sheridan is an adult. We are both consenting adults and I don’t see that it is anyone’s business,” I say. My cheeks are burning hot and my heart is racing a mile a minute. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my next patient.” I take a deep breath and walk a few steps away.

  “Avery?” His voice stops me in my tracks. Why doesn’t he call me Ms. Malone? I preferred it when he did. It meant there was a professional boundary between us.

  I stop and turn around, “Yes?”

  “I meant no offense. I honestly wish you the best of luck.” He grins, flashing his perfectly white smile.

  “Thank you.” I smile back. “You have yourself a good day.”

  I turn to head to my next patient. My head is swimming. Should I have lied about Bennett? How would I have gotten out of the date? He didn’t need to know who I was seeing. It’s none of his business.

  I take a deep breath and knock on the door of my new patient’s room. I clear my mind to focus on my patient. I just hope I didn’t get myself into a whole lot of trouble.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Bennett

  “Bennett, I can appreciate where you’re coming from,” Jackson says after I give him a speech about why I have to back out of the job.

  “You do?” I ask, surprised. I’d heard he was super understanding and nice, but this is above and beyond. I committed to the job. I gave my word, and now I’m backing out. This is something I would never do.

  “Yeah.” He laughs. “Dude, I relocated to California for my wife while the main headquarters of my business was in Virginia. After what guys like us have been through, I’m all for finding a woman you love and starting a life.”

  “Fuck.” I breathe out a sigh of relief. “You don’t know how much your understanding means to me. I’m not a man who goes back on his word. I want you to know that.”

  “Quinn told me you’re a good guy. Look, I’m going to be frank with you. I know what it feels like to lose people, to leave the navy. I wasn’t injured, but I have the stain of blood on my hands. I know what’s it’s like to suddenly find yourself in a life you know nothing about,” he says.

  “It’s like you can read my mind. I’m falling in love with Avery, and I don’t want to lose her, but I also feel like I’m losing myself,” I admit. So many SEALs leave the navy and get fucked up in the head. There are too many stories of alcoholism, drug addiction and suicide. Jackson has given people purpose. That’s why I feel comfortable opening up to him.

  “It’s good that you can admit that out loud. Does your woman know how you feel?” he asks.

  “In a way. I messed up with her, and I’m treading on shaky ground. She knows I’m at a loss about what to do. We need to talk some more and figure things out,” I say.

  “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” he says, sounding very much in control. “Quinn said you’ve got a lot of experience with cybersecurity. How about I send a member of my team to set you up remotely? You can work from out there for now. Let’s see how it goes. You’ll still need to sign off on all the legal paperwork, NDAs and such, but I want you on my team. What do you think?”

  “I think you’re a saint,” I say.

  He laughs. “Far from it. Talk to your woman and get back to me.”

  “Thanks, man. You have no idea how much I appreciate this,” I say.

  “I think I do,” he says. “Be in touch. I’ve got another call coming in.”

  He ends the call and I blow out a breath. I always felt like my life was one long stretch of bad luck. It seems like that streak has ended. First Avery came into my life, and now I’ve been given a second chance. I just hope this streak continues.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Avery

  For the next two weeks, I feel like I am walking on eggshells at work. Something is up, and I just don’t know what. Kathy hasn’t been her regular cheerful self. I wonder if she is mad at me. I don’t know if it’s something personal that I’ve done or if she is having personal issues and it really has nothing to do with me at all. It feels like nothing in my life can be smooth sailing at the same time.

  Bennett and I are stronger than we’ve ever been. He’s happy to be working for Cole. He goes for physical therapy three times a week, he’s rented himself a studio apartment, and he’s over every night for dinner at my place. He and Jessy are getting along great too, and it’s a relief that he’s teaching her how to drive because teaching her was making me want to take Valium. Everything feels right except for this uneasy feeling I get when I come into work.

  After dropping off my personal belongings in the locker room, I head to the rehabilitation services office to check in with Kathy.

  “Hi. Good morning,” I say cheerfully.

  “Morning.” She lifts her gaze briefly from her spot behind her desk while she types away on her computer.

&n
bsp; I can’t take the tension between us any longer. “Kathy, is there something wrong? I . . . I mean, did I do something to offend you?”

  Her lips press together, and she looks pensive. Her gaze goes from me to her desk. “I received this envelope here. I’m supposed to pass it on to you,” she says hesitantly. We’ve always had a really good working relationship so her cool demeanor throws me off.

  I stare at the manila envelope and take it from her. It’s from HR. My stomach sinks. “What’s this about?”

  Her cool demeanor morphs into a look of remorse. “I like you Avery. You are one of my best physical therapists. I even consider you a friend. That’s why I tried to warn you in a nice way about staying away from Mr. Sheridan. You, more than anyone I know, deserves happiness, but the hospital has rules and it was brought to someone’s attention that you broke them. Your case is being investigated by the hospital.”

  Blood drains from my face and a cool sweat pops on my forehead. “Seriously?” I open the envelope and read its contents. It’s a letter basically stating what Kathy just said. I am under investigation for breaking the employee-patient fraternization policy, and if I was found guilty, the result would be termination.

  I fall into the chair in front of Kathy’s desk.

  “I’m sorry, Avery. I did warn you. I didn’t want to come down hard on you but maybe I should’ve. HR takes these things seriously and apparently, there’s a witness.”

  A witness? Damn. Who could it be? Dr. Rudgers? Why would he do this? I think back to the day I told him Bennett and I were together. What a colossal mistake. Or maybe it was Monica. She couldn’t get her claws into Bennett so she doesn’t want anyone to have him.

  “I’m sorry Kathy,” I say, looking up. Tears flood my eyes. “I really didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

  “Honestly, I was a little angry these last couple weeks that you didn’t take my warning seriously. I really had your best intentions at heart,” she says.

  “I did take them seriously. I stayed away from Mr. Sheridan. We only reconnected after he left the hospital,” I say. Gah! I’ve become a big fat liar too. There was Thanksgiving. That passionate kiss. The way he kissed me that day branded me. But, I would never want to take it back. Bennett has brought so much good into my life and Jessy’s. I think of the way he helped her with science homework after dinner last night. How my heart fluttered at the sight.

  I can’t be a liar. I won’t.

  “You know what . . . it’s not entirely true. I kissed him days before he was released. I’m sorry, Kathy. I never meant to cause any trouble. I will head over to HR and resign,” I say.

  “I’m sorry, Avery. I can’t say that I completely understand the policy. You’re both adults but the rules are the rules and they are meant to be followed,” she says.

  “I understand. I want to thank you for being an amazing boss,” I say.

  “Aw, sweetheart.” She stands from behind her desk and walks around to me. She opens her arms wide and gives me a big hug. The tears I was holding back break free and slide down my cheeks.

  “I’ll be fine,” I say, unsure if I’m reassuring her or myself.

  After leaving Kathy’s office, I head back to the locker room to wash my face in the bathroom. Mascara runs down my cheeks, making me look like a crazy clown. I reach for some paper towel when Monica leaves a bathroom stall.

  “Avery.” She smiles. She sees I’m clearly upset, and she smiles.

  “Monica.” I nod.

  That’s when it hits me. The day I told Dr. Rudgers that Bennett and I were together, Monica walked by. She must have overheard.

  “Everything okay, doll?” she asks while soaping up her hands.

  “You know there isn’t anything I hate more than a fake person,” I say, and her jaw drops as she rinses her hands. “Wait, actually, there is. A jealous person.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she huffs as she takes paper towels to dry her hands.

  “Sure you don’t. It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one who went to HR and said I was having an inappropriate relationship,” I say.

  “You’re crazy,” she says, shaking her head at me.

  “I don’t think so. Bennett told me that you inquired about us. He would never go for a woman like you,” I say. I know it’s cold, but this bitch has gone too far.

  “Oh, and you think he’s going to stick with a Goody Two-shoes like you?” she huffs. “Men like him get bored easy. He needs someone experienced,” she says, showing her true colors.

  “Oh, and I suppose you’re that kind of woman?” I ask.

  She looks at her red fake nails and an evil smile spreads her lips. “Dr. Rudgers sure thinks so.”

  That’s when it hits me. She’s sleeping with the good doctor. “Did you hear him ask me out? Is that what this is about? Because he was interested in me while sleeping with you?”

  Her brows draw together and her smile falters. No, that wasn’t it. She didn’t know he asked me out. She just overheard the part about me and Bennett being together.

  “What’s your problem, Monica? Why do you have to cause shit for other people?” I ask.

  She laughs, throwing her head back. “That’s funny. You, Little Miss Prissy, have everyone after you. I saw Mr. Sheridan first. He should’ve been mine,” she says, and I feel my eyes bulging from their sockets. I want to counter her stupid argument but she continues. “Clearly Mr. Sheridan isn’t enough for you because you had to go grabbing Dr. Rudgers’ attention. I didn’t know he asked you out. Although I was a little confused as to why you had to tell him you were in a relationship with someone. It’s like you were trying to make him jealous or something.”

  “Oh, so you’re certifiably insane. Just because you notice someone first doesn’t mean you can claim them, and not that you deserve this explanation, but I told Dr. Rudgers I was in a relationship because he asked me out and I wanted to make it clear I wasn’t available,” I say.

  “You’re a bitch,” she snaps. “I hate girls like you. Getting everything they want on a silver platter. You seriously think I believe that you would go for a broken SEAL and give up on an opportunity to be with a doctor?”

  Okay, so she is nuts. “I have no interest in Dr. Rudgers. I have not pursued him at all. How can I spell this out for you?” I counter.

  She rolls her eyes. “Whatever, bitch. I’m not blind. I watched the way Dr. Rudgers looked at you. With you gone, it will be out of sight, out of mind.” She gives me a smirk and walks out of the bathroom.

  I look in the mirror. I can’t even blame her for what happened. It was all on me. I broke the rules. I gave a crazy woman like her ammunition.

  I’ve always tried to be the best I could be at work and at home to Jessy as a mom. When Bennett came along, I suddenly wanted more. I knew the risks and I took them anyway. These last few weeks, Bennett’s been so loving and dedicated. So caring, thoughtful and loving. My list could go on but what stands out the most is that I don’t feel alone. I don’t feel like it’s me against the world, doing my best to raise a daughter well. With Bennett by my side, I have this renewed sense of self. Like he was the other half of me that’s been missing.

  I fix my mascara, take a few deep breaths, hold my chin up high and pull my shoulders back. Then I take the envelope and walk over to HR.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Avery

  “What are you going to do?” Jess asks me after I finish telling her that I resigned. I lie back on our living room couch, staring at the ceiling. I must be in shock.

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “I have money saved up, so we aren’t in any trouble.”

  “There’s also the trust account you set up for me,” she says.

  “You know that money is for you.” I pull my gaze from the ceiling and stare at my daughter who is sitting at the end of the couch cross-legged.

  She rolls her eyes at me playfully.

  “I’m going to start job-hunting soon. I know of a few priva
te clinics—maybe I can swing by and see if they’re looking for a therapist,” I say. I wonder if Kathy would be willing to give me a reference since I resigned.

  “Are you sure you should’ve resigned? I mean you said they wanted to investigate you, but it doesn’t mean you would’ve lost your job,” she says.

  “I know that, but there was a part of me that felt like I was on this running belt. I’ve been doing the same thing the last seven years, and yeah, I liked working there, but I also had this weird attachment to wanting to help all the veterans,” I say.

  “Because of Daddy,” she says, pressing her lips together in a soft frown.

  “I think so. He gave his life for our country. It was my way of giving back but in doing the best I can for the veterans I also wasn’t moving forward with my own life,” I say.

  “And you’re finally moving forward.” She gasps cheerfully.

  “I am, and it feels good,” I say. “How about we get out of here for Christmas?” I ask, my daughter. I need a break from life.

  “What did you have in mind?” she asks.

  “I was thinking of Chicago to stay with Halo and Thomas, but then Bennett mentioned Virginia Beach and it also sounded interesting. His place is being rented out right now but he has a lot of friends with families out there. It could be nice,” I say. A part of me wants to leave Jersey all together, but I don’t want to uproot my daughter’s life.

  “Virginia Beach, huh? Is that the place where Cole Security is located?” she asks. Clearly, her and Bennett have been talking.

  “Yes.” I’m not sure where she’s going with this.

  “Bennett was telling me about it. He kind of told me what he could about his job. It’s cool that he deals with all this top-secret stuff,” she says.

  I laugh. “Yeah, he’s got a pretty cool job.”

  “Do you think you would want to move there after I graduate?” she asks.