The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition
Page 32
Game on, Autumn White, game on.
Deciding to mess with her, I stretch back. My shirt lifting to expose my stomach, my abs aren’t as prominent now that I’m no longer working out each and every day, but they are still defined. I notice her inhale and I can’t help but smirk.
“Put your abs away, Steel,” Jamie teases as he walks over to me.
“Hey, dude, how’s it going?”
“Not bad. And you?”
“Not bad,” I mimic in reply.
He looks to where I’m staring. “You remember what I said?”
Nodding my head, I reply, “Yes, Daaaad.” I stare at him and when he nods, I know he believes me. “Jamie, when I get my second chance, I won’t be walking away from her. Ever.”
“Good, ‘cause I’d hate to have to kill you.”
“Didn’t you take an oath to protect and serve?”
“Dude, I’m a lawyer, not a police officer, but in saying that,” he leans into me a whispers, “I know people, so don’t fuck with her.”
I laugh but from the seriousness on his face, I think he’s being truthful. He leaves and I sit here and continue to stare at Autumn. She was always gorgeous, but now that we’re older, she is fucking stunning. Age has done her well. Standing up, I decide to take a walk around. Of course, I strut past Autumn and her mom, Carla. I wink at her; she rolls her eyes, and shakes her head. With a final smirk, I keep walking. From the corner of my eye, I see her mom nudge her. She leans in and whispers something to Autumn and her mouth drops open. Then her eyes widen and she screams at the top of her lungs, “Ollie!” She jumps up and races over to Ollie where he’s lying on the ground crying.
Sprinting toward him, I push through the kids crowding around him, “Step back, everyone,” I say. “Give him room to breathe and space for me to assess him.” Dropping down, I smile at him. “Hey, buddy, tell me where is hurts.”
“My arm,” he whimpers.
“Okay, I’m going to take a look. Is that okay?”
He nods as tears fall down his cheeks.
Resting his arm on my palm, I gently peel away his glove and have a look. From the angle of his wrist, I’d say it’s broken. “Okay, buddy, looks like you’ve broken your wrist. I’ve got my truck here, so to save putting strain on the emergency services, I’ll take you to the hospital myself.”
He nods. “Can Mom come with me?” he sadly asks.
“Of course, buddy.” I look to Autumn but she’s focused on Ollie.
“Autumn,” my voice snaps her attention to me. “You okay with that plan?”
“Sorry, I missed the plan.”
“I’m going to take you guys to the hospital.”
“No, no,” she says. “We can call an ambulance.”
“Autumn,” Carla says, “let Doc look after you both.”
I nod at her. “It’s no problem, Autumn.” She nods her head but she’s focused on Ollie. “Autumn,” I say her name louder to get her attention so she looks over at me. Her face is ashen with concern. “He’ll be fine. Now, let's get him to the hospital.”
She tries to stand with Ollie in her arms. Shaking my head, I stand up and bend down, taking Ollie from her, I carefully lift him up. He whimpers in pain. “Ohh, baby,” Autumn cries.
“I’m fine, Mom,” he says, his tough little voice wavering as we begin to walk toward my truck. Thankfully Doc Miller is here, watching his granddaughter, so he takes over as the on-site medic for me.
Thirty minutes later, Ollie is back from X-ray and Autumn is still pacing up and down the room while we wait for the results. I tried to get her to sit down, but she gave me that ‘don’t fuck with me’ look, so I let her continue to pace.
A few moments later, the curtain is drawn back and a doctor steps in. “I’m Dr. Knight, seems our lil’ slugger here has a fractured wrist.” As he clips the X-ray up on to the light box, I step next to him and look at it. Then I look to Autumn, who has finally stopped pacing, “It’s a clean break, Autumn, he’ll be fine.”
“Your husband is correct, Oliver’s break is a clean one.”
“He’s not my dad,” Ollie says.
“My mistake.” He looks at me questionably.
“Doctor Griffin Steel,” I say, as I stretch out my hand.
“Doctor Preston Knight, visiting from Chicago.” He shakes my hand and his gaze drifts to Autumn. Mine you asshole, back off. I think to myself as he looks back at me and smiles. “Pleasure to meet a fellow colleague.”
His name pops into my head and I realize who he is, I look to Autumn. “Seems Ollie here has the best pediatric specialist on the West Coast on his case.”
“How do you know he’s the best?” Autumn asks.
“Preston Knight of Western General is the best in his field. Boston Children's Hospital wanted him to head their pediatric department, but he chose to stay at Western General and head up their pediatric department instead. It caused quite the stir when you turned down the top job in Boston.”
“What can I say, I don't like to conform to what’s expected of me.”
“So the rumors are true then?”
He shrugs his shoulders and winks. Rumour has it, he stayed because of a relationship with a woman, who so happens to be the mom of a patient he was treating. He turns his attention to Ollie, “So, Oliver, we will get you casted up and then you can head home. I don’t need to go through the instructions, as I’m sure Doc Steel here will look after you.”
“We don’t need Griffin’s help,” Autumn says. “Can you please tell me what I need to do?”
Again, his eyes flit between us. “Of course.” I tune out as Preston goes over what will happen and the instructions for the next few weeks. My eyes are fixed on Autumn, she is intently listening to each and every word that comes out of Preston’s mouth. Ollie is whining he won’t be able to finish out the Little League season, I laugh at his facial expression. Preston finishes explaining everything, then he puts Ollie’s arm in a cast—he was stoked to get blue fiberglass. Watching him work and interact with Ollie, I can see why he’s the best in his field and highly sought after. I’ve heard stories of how amazing this guy is with kids, and seeing him with Ollie, I can see it with my own eyes. I relax a little knowing Ollie is in good hands. As a doctor it’s hard to step back sometimes but knowing who is on his case, I’m happy to give him free rein to do his job without interference.
As soon as Ollie’s cast has set, he’s discharged and I drive Ollie and Autumn home. Ollie talks and talks the whole way to their place. No longer upset over not being able to play because he has a bright blue cast on his arm. He dozes off just before I pull into their driveway.
Carrying him inside, I carefully tuck him into bed and then walk down the hallway. Autumn is sitting on the sofa, tears in her eyes. I walk over to her. “Are you okay?”
She nods and as she does the first tear falls. Sitting next to her, I wrap my arms around her shoulder, pulling her into my side. She turns to face me and wraps her arms around my waist. She cries into my shoulder. Rubbing her back soothingly, I let her get it all out.
She pulls away from me and she lifts her gaze to mine. Our eyes are locked on one another, while something overtakes my body. Lowering my head, I press my lips gently against hers. She freezes and then I feel her tongue seeking access to my mouth. Smiling against her lips, I open up and let her in. She slides her tongue in and out of my mouth. Exploring every crevice in my mouth, she runs her fingers into my hair and grips my head, pulling me closer to her.
Threading my fingers into her hair, I gently tug the strands. She moans into my mouth, and then suddenly, her hands are on my chest and she’s pushing my back. She stares at me, her eyes wide in fright. “You need to leave,” she whispers.
“Autumn—”
“No, I need you to leave.”
She stands up and walks to the front door, opening it up. She steps to the side and flicks her hand in a ‘get the fuck out of my house’ manner. S
tanding up, I rearrange myself and notice her eyes drop and follow my motion. Walking toward her, I stop and place a kiss on her cheek. “Call me if you need anything.” I don’t say anything else, I step outside and she closes the door behind me. I hear a light thud and I think she’s sliding down the door; her go-to action when she’s confused and/or scared.
I stare at the door for a few moments and then let out a frustrated sigh. Walking to my truck, I notice a car across the street, the driver is staring at Autumn’s house. When he sees me looking at him, he quickly drives off.
Climbing into my truck, I start the engine and back out of her driveway. As I drive home, I play that kiss with Autumn over and over in my head. She feels the pull between us; I know she does. I just need to figure out how to get her to let go and give me a second chance.
Autumn and I will get our second chance, I just know it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
AUTUMN
Oh My God, he kissed me.
Oh My God, I kissed him back.
Oh My God, I liked him kissing me…it’s just as I remembered…only better.
I run my finger over my bottom lip, it’s still tingling from our amazing kiss.
Oh My God, Griffin and I kissed.
I liked him kissing me.
I want Griffin Steel to kiss me again.
No, I don’t.
Yes, I do.
No-no-no, I can’t like him kissing me…but it was so good.
Yes-yes-yes, I want him to kiss me again.
Oh My God, I’m so confused.
I don’t know what I want anymore. I think to myself as I turn around and slide down the door. My ass hits the ground and I sit back against the door. Staring at the sofa, at the spot where five minutes ago, Griffin and I kissed. His kisses are just as amazing as I remember, if not better. My mind plays the moment over and over, and then I drift back to our first kiss when we were seventeen…
…We are in my bedroom, studying for our English test. Griffin and I have been hanging out more and more, and each time we do, the air sizzles. Our touches linger. I like Griffin, like a lot, but I’m not a hussy, so I can’t make the first move. I think he likes me too, but it seems each one of us is too shy to make a move.
We are sitting on the floor, leaning against my bed. We are close together, our legs pressed against one another. I reach my hand out and pretend to scratch my thigh, grazing his leg as I do. He sucks in a breath.
Looking over at him, I see him staring intently at me. We both swallow deeply, my tongue darts out and I lick my bottom lip. He lifts his hand and with the pad of his finger, traces my lip. We begin to lean into each other. My eyes drift closed and then I feel it, his lips pressing against mine. Opening my mouth slightly, he slides his tongue into mine. My eyes pop open at the intrusion, I see his eyes are closed. Smiling against his lips, I close my eyes again and give myself over to the kiss.
All too soon, he pulls away, breaking the connection. Our eyes are locked on one another, he smiles at me and I feel it deep in my soul. I smile back, I cannot wait to kiss him again…
No, I don’t want to kiss him ever again, he’s the man who left me all those years ago. A noise on the other side of the door startles me, standing up, I look through the peephole but I don’t see anyone there. My mind is clearly playing tricks on me, I’m obviously distracted by the fact Griffin Steel just kissed me…and it was the best kiss I’ve had in years.
I’m so screwed when it comes to Griffin Steel.
CHAPTER NINE
GRIFFIN
It's been a week since our kiss and each time I see Autumn now it’s awkward and uneasy, not what I want for us. Only time will tell how this will play out with Autumn. I don’t want to scare her, but at the same time, I want to tell her I want her. I still love her. I never stopped loving her these past twenty years. Considering her reaction after our kiss, she’s not there yet. Guess I will just have to assess the situation and make my move at the right moment.
Ollie is my saving grace, he always lights up when he sees me—if only I could get his mom to light up like that around me. The lil’ bugger goes out of his way to spend time with me, but I’m positive he only likes me for my truck. Hell, he can have my truck if it means by default I get to spend time with Autumn.
The last few weeks, since Ollie broke his arm, have been pretty great; not the breaking arm part, but since his accident, I’ve spent quite a lot of time with them. I may be doing a few extra ‘house calls’ so I can check on my patient, and by default, see his mom. It’s not exactly ethical, what I’m doing, but I like spending time with Autumn and Ollie.
Autumn and I haven’t kissed again but she seems to be warming up to me with each visit. It won’t be long before I can make my move and win back the girl of my dreams.
I’m pushing my shopping cart around the supermarket when I hear a familiar little voice. My lips lift in a smile and I quickly turn the corner, my cart bumping into another. “Shit, I’m so sorry,” I say. When I look up, it’s like fate intervened and I’ve bumped into Autumn and Ollie.
“It’s fine, I should be apologizing to you. I should have been watching where I was going.”
“Autumn, you can bump into me anytime.” Her cheeks darken at my comment. “Ollie, my man, how’s the arm?”
“Still broken,” he says, his voice laced with unhappiness.
“Why the long face?”
“I can’t play ball until the stupid cast comes off, and I have to have baths ‘cause I can’t get the dumb cast wet.”
A laugh escapes and he glares at me. “It’s not funny.”
I look to Autumn, who is trying to hold back a laugh. “Ohh to be seven again,” I say, this causes her to laugh and the sound is magical to my ears.
“You two are big meanie heads.”
“I’m sorry, baby,” Autumn placates him. “It’s not the end of the world, you know.”
“It feels like it,” he huffs, then he looks to me. He has a glint in his eye that reminds me so much of Autumn when we were teenagers and she was up to something. “I know what will make this all better.”
“And what’s that?” Autumn asks him.
“A ride in Doc’s kick-beep truck, followed by the movies where I get an ice cream and popcorn and and Sour Patch Kids aaaaand Red Vines.”
I reply, “Sure.” While at the same time, Autumn says, “No.”
She and I stare at one another. “I really don’t mind taking him for a ride, or to the movies.”
“I can’t ask you do to that.”
“You’re not asking me, I’m offering.” She eyes me suspiciously. “Autumn, I really don’t mind, besides, you deserve a break.”
“You’ll take him on your own?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Sure, why not?”
“Well, he’s seven and you don’t have kids…and he’s seven.”
“I’ve been to war, I’m sure I can handle a car ride and the movies with a seven-year-old.”
We stare at one another again.
“Plllllleeeeeaaaaaasssssse, Mom. Can I hang with Doc for the afternoon? Please? Please? Please?”
“Yeah, Mom, plllllleeeeeaaaaaasssssse,” I tease.
“Fine,” she relents. “But you can only have popcorn and ONE other treat.”
Ollie looks sad, but I lean down and whisper, “It’s all good, buddy, I’ll hook you up.”
“No, you won’t,” she snaps. “I’ll be the one to deal with the sugar high later.” She looks to Ollie and sternly says, “One treat, mister.”
“Yes, Mom,” he says in a dreary, drawn out way.
“Let’s go.” He takes my hand, and turns to Autumn. “Bye, Mom.” He drags me away, leaving my cart in the aisle and Autumn watching us as we walk away. We are outside when he looks around suspiciously and then looks up at me and whispers, “I’m not really only getting one extra treat…am I?”
“Not sure I should go against your mom’s wishes, O
llie.” His little face crumbles, so I drop down to his height and look around like he just did. “Buuuut there’s no stopping me getting a few extra treats and sharing them…is there?”
“Really?” His eyes light up like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
“Yeah, it will be our little secret.”
“Deal.” He zips his lips and pretends to throw the key away. “Let’s go, I can’t wait to ride in your kick-beep truck.”
Three hours later, I pull into Autumn’s driveway. Ollie and I stopped and got pizza for dinner, if you are having a movie and junk afternoon, you may as well wrap it up with pizza for dinner. With the box in hand, we climb out of my kick-beep truck. As we are walking up the front path, the door swings open and my mouth drops. Autumn looks beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. She’s changed into a sundress that hugs her curves, showcasing her sexy as sin legs. She looks fucking stunning. “Hey, Mom, we brought dinner.”
“I can see that.” She lifts her gaze to mine and smiles, it shoots straight to my heart. I’d love nothing more than to slam my lips against hers, but after our last kiss, I’m not sure I want to go there just yet.
“Hey,” I shyly say. “You look relaxed.”
She smile brightens. “I am relaxed. I took a bath and had a few glasses of wine. I can’t remember the last time I had ‘me’ time.”
“Happy to help, Autumn, I’m here anytime you need me.” She eyes me suspiciously; I see where Ollie gets that trait from. “I mean it, anytime.”
“Thanks,” she murmurs. “Are you staying for pizza?”
Shaking my head side to side, I answer, “No, not tonight.”
“Maybe another time,” she offers.
“I’d like that.” Leaning in the door, I shout, “See ya, Ollie!”
“Later, Doc,” comes his muffled reply, clearly he’s diving into the pizza. How he can still be hungry after what he had at the movies, I will never know.