Rock Bottom

by Emily Goodwin

  “And this is why I don’t do one-night stands,” I tell my reflection, raking my hair through my messy curls. I roll my eyes at myself and then finish undressing, getting annoyed that I’m one of those girls who can’t separate emotion from sex.

  Unless I’m right.

  Maybe Dean felt it too.

  “Get over yourself, Rory,” I huff and get into the shower. Things are going to be awkward at work, but it’ll fade fast. I wanted a fresh start in a new town, and that’s exactly what I got. I’m not against dating, but I’m not going to fawn over the first guy in Eastwood who made me feel pretty.

  Whatever I’m feeling…it will fade too. I’ll wake up in the morning with a clear head and these lingering feelings for Dean will be gone, and I’ll realize last night was just about the sex and nothing more.

  Guys like Dean are good for one thing and one thing only: breaking hearts. I won’t let myself make that mistake.

  “How was the date?” Hilary pulls her sweatshirt over her head. “With Dr. Jones’s friend, I mean.”

  My back is turned as I shove my clothes into the locker, buying myself some time. Do I tell her the whole truth? Or just say that Dean was great but a total playboy and I won’t be seeing him again? I did go out with Dean, just not the way she thinks I did.

  “It was okay,” I reply, pulling my tank top down and shivering. We’re going right into the OR and have to change into our surgical scrubs. “Dean wasn’t as bad as you made him seem.”

  “Yes, Dean, that’s his name.” She smacks her forehead and laughs. “I’m so forgetful. But just okay?”

  “I had a great time, actually, and the sex was amazing.”

  She wiggles her eyebrows. “Ohhhh, get it girl.”

  I laugh. “It was a one-time thing, though. He’s, uh, not looking to date anyone.”

  “Huh. I wonder why Dr. Jones would set him up with someone.”

  “I get the feeling it was his wife’s idea. Dean is her brother.”

  “Oh, wow. That’s a tangled mess I’m glad I avoided.”

  I shut my locker and walk over to grab clean scrubs. “It’s interesting, that’s for sure. It might be a little weird looking Dr. Jones in the eye,” I say, not needing to go into detail. “I mean, he knows I hooked up with his friend.”

  Hilary shrugs. “We got two gall bladder removals back to back. We’ll be too busy for you to feel weird.”

  “I always feel weird.”

  Hilary laughs. “But that’s part of your appeal, you know that, right?”

  “I do.” I pull a scrub top over my head and finish getting dressed. We walk into the hall right outside the OR, waiting for our morning meeting. It’s Thursday, and nearly a full day has come and gone since I’ve seen Dean.

  I wish I could say the same about thinking of him.

  It’s stupid, and I keep reminding myself that. I wasn’t drunk but was rather tipsy from the time he took me home to the time I woke up. That can make any situation seem better than it really is. “Beer Goggles” is a thing for a reason.

  “Good morning,” Dr. Jones says, breezing down the hall. Act normal. I smile and bring my hand up to give a small wave but end up hitting myself in the face with my own fingers.

  Dr. Jones catches my eye and smiles back, and I want to slink back into a corner. It would one thing if he knew Dean and I went home together, but knowing that I lied about who I was…

  It’s not embarrassing, I tell myself. I’m a grown-ass woman and can do what I want, including pretending to be Blaire from Canada and sleeping with some hot guy from the bar.

  We quickly go over what we have on the schedule for the day, and things are back to normal. We’re busy already today, and then get two emergencies come in, with the patients being rushed back into the OR. It’s hard to explain to others what being in the OR is like at times.

  With a good surgeon—like Dr. Jones—usually the mood is light. We know what we’re doing and have years and years of experience between everyone on the team. One of the anesthesiologists we frequently work with is hilarious, and we’re often laughing and listening to music.

  But the last emergency surgery is tense, with the victim being brought in after a car accident. Another surgeon is on her way in to assist, but we all know right away the chance of our patient making it is slim to none.

  Hours later, the whole team is exhausted, and our patient is in recovery. Dr. Jones tells all of the nurses and surg techs to go take a break while he assesses the patient, trying to decide if she’s stable enough to be transferred to a trauma center in Chicago.

  It’s a bit quiet in the break room, as we all sit around the table thinking about how easily life can be taken. The woman—a mother I’m guessing—was wearing an Eastwood High School spirit jersey. The basketball team is playing tonight. We pieced together that she must have been on her way to her son’s game.

  “I am going to need a drink after this shift.” Hilary pulls her blonde hair out of a bun and rubs her scalp. “Anyone want to go to Getaway with me?”

  “I’m in,” Thomas, one of the surg techs says. “I was going to watch my cousin play in the game, but I don’t want to see the kid who might lose his mother tonight, well, if he’s even there.”

  “Fuck, it’s so sad.” Hilary lets out a breath. “What about you, Rory? You want to go out with us?”

  Dean told me he goes to Getaway a lot, since his brothers own it. I might run into him there, and—no. I’m not letting one person dictate my life. New town, new beginning, remember? I’m not avoiding my favorite ice cream place just because Amber bitch-face McMillan goes there.

  I have nothing against Dean…only that I want him against me again. Resist the dark side, Rory…

  “Yeah, why not?” I lift one shoulder in a shrug. “As long as we don’t stay out late. I’m on the schedule for tomorrow.”

  “Me too.” Hilary wrinkles her nose. “Meet there at eight-thirty and be home by ten?”

  I smile. “Yeah. I can handle that.”

  “Damn girl,” Hilary says when I slide into the booth next to her at Getaway. “Look at you.”

  I wave my hand in the air. “I bought this dress like three years ago and have only worn it once.

  “Well, it looks great on you. I see you change into scrubs almost every day and didn’t know you had such fantastic boobs.”

  “I have my second-favorite pushup bra to thank for that.”

  Hilary laughs and takes a drink. “Not your first-favorite?”

  That one is still in Dean’s truck. “It’s in the laundry.”

  “Babe, you gonna introduce me?” the guy across the table asks, reaching over and taking Hilary’s hand.

  “Jeremy, I presume?” I ask.

  He smiles. “So you talk about me.”

  “I do,” Hilary sets her drink down and takes Jeremy’s other hand. I mentally roll my eyes. Here we go again…

  “I hope you say good things.”

  “I only have good things to say.”

  And now I need a bag to barf in. Turning, I look out at the bar, not looking for Dean, that is. Then I spot one of the bartenders and know right away it’s one of Dean’s brothers. They look alike, and I can tell, even from all the way back here, they have the same pretty blue eyes.

  “Are you gonna order any food?” Hilary asks, pulling her hands out of Jeremy’s. Thank goodness. “I’m starving.”

  “I ate before I came, but those big soft pretzels they serve here are good.”

  “That does sound good. The waitress was just here, and we told her we needed a few minutes to figure out what we wanted to eat. I’ll flag her down.”

  “It’s okay, I’ll go up to the bar.” Several barstools have just opened up and I’ll get my drink faster if I go up anyway. “So, two pretzels? Anything else?”

  “I’ll take a basket of wings,” Jeremy says.

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

  I hike the purse strap up over my shoulder and walk through the small crowd.
It’s a weeknight, still a bit early, but I know enough now to expect this place to fill up fast in the next hour or so.

  Taking a seat at the bar, I put in our food order and then get a glass of red Moscato for myself. I take a sip, not wanting to walk with a full glass, and then get up to go back to the table. But as soon as my feet hit the floor, and I turn my body to walk away, I come face to face with someone else.

  Dean.

  Chapter 17

  Dean

  Fuck. Me.

  Rory stands up, and before I realize it’s her, I’m admiring her ass. She’s wearing a dark gray sweater dress today, and it hugs her curves perfectly. Unlike the last time I saw her standing by the bar, she’s wearing leggings and boots with her dress, much more weather-appropriate. Her hair is pulled back in a braid over her shoulder, and I want to wrap it around my hand as I fuck her from behind.

  She turns, sea-green eyes widening when she looks at me. She has some sort of fruity drink in her hand, and I know her lips will taste so fucking good right now.

  “Fancy seeing you here,” I say with a smirk, looking Rory up and down. Her dress is low-cut again, showing off those big, beautiful tits. The same little half-moon pendant hangs around her neck like a focal point, forcing my eyes to go to her chest.

  I blink and get a flash of her tight little body under mine. Fuck, I want her.

  “Stalking me?” she quips, cocking one eyebrow.

  “I told you I come here often, so I think you’d be the one stalking me.”

  “Fair enough.” She takes another drink, and I watch with envy as she presses that glass against her lips.

  “Who are you tonight? Natalia from Russia?”

  She narrows her eyes, and the instant annoyance on her face makes me want her even more. “No. If I was going to be anyone, I’d be Arwen from Rivendell tonight, stopping at an inn for a rest and some ale before I head back out on my quest.”

  “What?”

  She lets out a breath. “Never mind. I’m just Rory tonight.”

  “And just Rory wasn’t good enough for the other night?”

  “Look, I said I was sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to pull some mastermind trick on you. We both were clearly looking for a one-night kinda deal and we both got what we were looking for, didn’t we? You seemed to very much enjoy Blaire from Canada or am I mistaken?”

  “Oh, I very much enjoyed Blaire.” My lips pull up in a half smile and Rory pushes her shoulders back as a flush comes over her chest. “Enough to do it again.”

  “No,” she rushes out, and then looks surprised with herself.

  “Why not?” I go on, unable to stop the words from coming out of my mouth. Taking her home would be fun—very fun—but also a bad idea. I’d be breaking my cardinal rule. “You didn’t enjoy being Blaire? You could try being yourself this time.”

  She presses her lips together, staring at me for a good few seconds before taking a big sip of her drink. “That sounds fun, but I…I…” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip and tips her head, looking me over. Her thoughts are written all over her face, and her inability to hide what she’s thinking is so fucking cute.

  At least the feeling is mutual.

  “I’m here with friends.” She snaps her attention back to my face, shaking her head. “I should get back to them. They’re probably wondering where I am.”

  “I’m sure they can see you standing here, right by the bar.”

  “Maybe they’re near-sighted.”

  I let out a snort of laughter. “You better get back to them. Though if you get bored…you know we’ll have a good time. Which reminds me, your bra is still in my truck and you have my clothes. We could go back to your place so I can get them.”

  “Nice try.” She takes another drink, and if she turns and walks away, she’ll be doing us both a favor. Sleeping with the same woman twice is a mistake.

  Sleeping with the same woman twice within the same week…it’s an even bigger mistake.

  Yet I can’t seem to control myself around her, and the more she pulls, the more I want to push.

  “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression the other night, but I’m really not a no-strings kind of person. That was actually my first one-night stand.”

  The cocky smirk is back on my face. “Why stop at one night?” I step forward and tuck a loose lock of hair behind her ear. Her eyes flutter shut and her lips part, body reacting to my touch. I let my fingers trail down her neck, down her shoulder, and across her collarbone.

  “And this one night would just consist of sex, breakfast, and then parting ways?”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  Someone pushes past her to get to the bar, and she shuffles forward out of their way, moving right up again me. My hand lands on the curve of her hip, and Rory sucks in a breath.

  “It’s…it’s not a bad thing…if…if that’s what you want.” She pushes her shoulders back and tips her head up to mine. I could kiss her right now. Taste her drink on her lips. Remind her how good we were the other night.

  And then do it all over again.

  “But it’s not my thing,” she says, finding her resolve. “I’m not a no-strings kind of person. I like substance with my sex, and I don’t think you do. Which is fine. You do you, right?”

  “I’d rather do you, but I get what you’re saying.” I take my hand off her hip. “And I respect that. Though if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  Grumbling something indiscernible, she brings her glass to her lips and walks away, hurrying over to her friends.

  “It finally happened.” Logan puts a Jack and Coke down on the bar in front of me. “Someone turned you down.”

  “Technically, no. We already hooked up.”

  He lets out a snort of laughter. “Must not have impressed her. I knew you were full of shit all this time.”

  “Trust me, she enjoyed herself multiple times. I’m not breaking rule number one.”

  “It’s sad I know what rule number one is,” Logan grumbles as he wipes up a spill on the bar top. “I finally get Owen married off and now I have to take care of your dumb ass.”

  “I get to be a dumbass for a while.” I run my finger down the glass, wiping away a bead of condensation.

  “And it’s been a while.” Logan fills a couple of drink orders for customers and then comes back to me. “Look, man, I won’t even pretend to know how it feels. I don’t want to think about coming home and seeing Danielle in…in…you know.” He can’t even say it. “But it’s been over a year. If you don’t slow down, you’re going to run out of women to take home. Unless you go to Newport, and I know the bar there won’t give you the family discount like we do.”

  I pick up my glass, knowing there’s truth in his words, and look out at Rory again. She’s leaning in toward her friend, twisting her braid around her fingers as she talks.

  “I don’t see the point in another relationship,” I say for what feels like the millionth time.

  “I’m going to say something we’ve all been thinking but no one has actually told you.”

  I take another drink and stare at my brother. “Spit it out.”

  “Remember when Daisy left Wes?”

  “That’s kinda hard to forget.” I was the first one he told, actually. He had me come over and watch Jackson, not wanting to upset Mom and Dad before he knew what was going on.

  “And remember how we never really liked her?”

  “Yes, I do,” I say, knowing where this is going.

  “And now that Wes is remarried and happy, we can all say we’re glad Daisy up and left and it was better for everyone in the end.”

  “So you’re saying you never liked Kara and are happy she cheated on me?”

  Logan lets out a breath. “Not exactly. I’m saying maybe this is the same situation in a sense. You two weren’t meant to be together and now that you’re not…you can find someone else.”

  “Did Danielle tell you to say that?”
/>   Logan narrows his eyes. “I can think for myself, you know. I’m not going to badger you like someone else in the family does. Just…just don’t drive away my customers.”

  “I’ll do my best.” I roll my eyes and take another drink. Logan gets busy filling drink orders, and a few guys from the construction crew come in waving when they see me. I could go over, hang out with them for a while and then work my magic and take someone home with me, but I feel off my game tonight, and it’s starting to unnerve me.

  Because I don’t want to take just anyone home. I want Rory.

  Dammit.

  Chapter 18

  Rory

  Yawning, I shuffle into the locker room and suck down the rest of my coffee. We’re going right into surgery and will probably regret drinking so much, but it’s either this or I fall asleep on my feet.

  “Late night?” Jane asks. She’s getting ready to leave as the next shift takes over.

  “Kind of. And then by the time I remembered to take melatonin, it was too late.”

  “Ugh. I hate those.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” I put my empty travel mug in the locker and let my eyes fall shut, giving myself a quick mental break before getting changed. I ended up leaving the bar only half an hour after I got there, drinking only half my Moscato so I wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to drive.

  But I couldn’t get Dean and that stupid smirk off my mind. He knows I’m attracted to him and was using it to his advantage. I sat on the couch, trying to distract myself with cheesy made-for-TV romances, but my mind kept going back to Dean.

  It didn’t help, and I finally got my butt in bed, regretting not taking Dean up on his offer to go back to his place. I would have enjoyed it, that’s for sure. But I would have left wanting more, because as much as I wish I could do the no-strings thing, I can’t.

  I’d end up getting attached and would get my heart broken when I saw Dean out with someone else. I couldn’t be mad at him either, since he told me from the beginning he wasn’t looking for anything more than casual sex.