“Yes,” she answers bleakly.
Thankfully, she doesn’t look his way when we pass and doesn’t shudder until we’re waiting for the elevator.
“I’m such an idiot,” she says on a shaky breath.
“Men are assholes, honey. Don’t blame yourself.”
“I’m mortified.”
I get this, more than she can ever understand. Feelings from my graduation resurface, and I picture when I broke down about Mathis.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s a dick. Write it off to a day of great sex and move on.”
She shoots me a small grin that doesn’t convince me she’s okay.
“I don’t sleep around,” she admits when we get into the elevator alone.
“That’s respectable.”
“It’s prudish. I’m a twenty-seven years old woman who doesn’t have regular sex. It’s pathetic.”
“Hey,” I turn to her, making her look at me, “there is nothing wrong with that.”
“You don’t understand. When I say I don’t sleep around, I mean it’s been years. Then Clint pays me the slightest bit of attention and I’m like a dog in heat.”
I debate in my mind whether to get ultra-personal with Lora, but I know from experience she’s trustworthy and likely won’t betray me. “Lora, I fell in love with Mathis Bennett at twenty-one years old. He broke my heart at twenty-two. We were apart for years, and a lot happened during that time, but I never slept with another man. You are not a prude. You made an adult decision and slept with a man you were attracted to. There is nothing wrong with that.”
Her eyes bulge at my confession, and then the sadness creeps back in. “He didn’t even look my way.”
“He’s a dick-douche to the nth degree. They’re everywhere. The best thing for you to do is hold your head high, ignore his ass, and pretend like yesterday was a memory you’d like to forget.”
A new surge of empowerment comes over her, and she squares her shoulders, nodding. “You’re right. Dick-douche, nitwit, asshole, tool… I’m not going to let him get to me. I made a poor decision.”
“Think of it this way, a poor decision that led to multiple orgasms. There are a lot worse things.”
The elevator opens, and our conversation comes to a halt. She reaches over, takes her salad, and gives me a grateful nod. “Thanks, Claire. You’re a sweet friend.”
We go our different ways, her to the break room and me to the desk. I spend the next hours working on auto-pilot, not able to concentrate. The look of Lora’s devastation when she saw Clint walk into the cafeteria last night keeps tumbling through my head.
What a dick. He’s not only a dick; he’s a supreme dick of epic proportions. I’m not going to fault him for having sex; that’s not the problem. But a real man with any decency would take one glimpse at Lora and know she’s not the type of woman who does one-night-stands.
I know this because I am also a woman who learned she can’t do one-night stands. My situation is entirely different with Mathis because our history has played out, but I didn’t know that the morning he left my apartment. I had no idea we’d continue our tryst during his visits. In my head, we’d shared one incredible night, and I fell in love. I was ruined for any more mindless hook-ups.
I told Lora the truth in the elevator; I didn’t have sex with anyone else during those years Mathis and I were apart. One time I tried. The guy was great. Nice, ambitious, handsome. He was totally into me, and after a few dates, I decided to give it a try. The kisses were hot, the foreplay was awesome, and he was excellent with his mouth. But the instant I came, my blood ran cold. I knew there was no deeper connection, and I couldn’t go through with sex. He was understanding, a complete gentleman, but any relationship we had fizzled out when he dropped me off at home.
The whole exchange felt cheap, distant, slutty. It was awful.
I saw those same emotions set in Lora’s expression. She is not made for one-night stands.
I’m not stupid. I know it happens all the time. Men are men. Hell, Shaw is the perfect example. He had a one-night stand weeks before he fell in love with Bizzy, and Brayden is the result. It was hard to do, but some things are forgivable. What Clint did is not. Flaunting his new conquest in front of Lora less than twenty-four hours after he crawled out of her bed is despicable. I am proud of her though, because every time I saw her tonight, she was acting like her old self and not hinting at anything wrong.
A notification pops up on my calendar from Evie, reminding me to restock supplies for the next shift and includes an attached list. I print it out and welcome the distraction away from the Lora and Clint debacle. Our supply room is at the end of the hall, secured with key pass entry that only certain levels of employees have access. I grab the cart from the corner and go about checking off items as I pull them from the shelves. Most of our drugs come directly from the in-house pharmacy, but we keep a few staples on hand. I enter my code into the locked cabinet and hear the recognizable buzz of the key card at the door.
I turn, expecting to see another nurse, but instead, Clint saunters in. A chill floats across my skin when his eyes travel over me, stopping way too long at my breasts. “There a reason you’re staring at my chest?” I clip.
Something blazes across his features. Anger? Annoyance? Whatever it is vanishes quickly, and he raises his eyes to mine. “I was staring at your necklace. The spark of diamonds caught my eye.”
For a split-second, I feel bad about my assumption, but it passes when I remember what a dick he is. “What are you doing in here?”
“Room three is out of non-latex gloves. Chantel and Lora are trying to help a patient who is vomiting and is allergic. Lora said you may be in here and suggested I come ask.”
“You’re working with Lora?” I blurt out before thinking.
“I’m working with everyone.”
I hand him the box of gloves, not saying more.
“Is there a reason I wouldn’t work with Lora?” he presses.
“Nope, I thought you were doing rounds with the ER doctors.” I lie because I have no idea of his schedule.
“I prefer it up here. The atmosphere is much more my style.” His eyes roam over me again.
“I didn’t know internships were so loosely structured that you could pick and choose where you rotate. I’d hardly consider children sick with cancer as a better atmosphere,” I clip out, a sharp edge to my tone.
“I find the personnel more enjoyable.”
“I’m sure you do,” I mutter.
His eyes now land back on mine and darken to almost black. “Something on your mind, Claire? Something you want to say to me?”
“Nope.”
He studies me, my skin prickling uncomfortably under his stare.
“I’m guessing Lora said something to you, which is unfortunate. I’d hoped for more discretion.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to lash back, but I tamper down the urge. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“She’s a big girl, Claire. No expectations were discussed, no promises made.”
“None of my business, Clint.”
“No, it’s not. Unless it’s you in my bed, it’s not your concern who I fuck.”
My body tenses. “Didn’t you say there was a child vomiting in room three?”
He glares at me a second more before turning to leave.
A question pops into my head, and I can’t stop myself from asking, “How’d you get in here? Only authorized personnel have access to supply rooms.”
He stops, twists his head to me, and his lips turn into a wicked grin. What he doesn’t do is answer me before leaving.
When the door closes, I do an exaggerated body shiver. Clint may have been at the top of the dick category, but he’s now made it to creepy dick.
Chapter 12
Mathis
The hostess greets me by name, flipping her head for me to follow. On the way, I scan the restaurant and bar, noting the crowd is thick for a Wednesday ni
ght. Judging by the abundance of Miami hats, jerseys, and t-shirts, I’m assuming the word has hit the streets. Nick Bennett has been spotted.
Both my brothers are seated at a table located in a back room usually reserved for private parties. The owner of the restaurant is talking to them, and when he spots me, he extends his hand.
“Good to see you, Mathis.”
“You too, Sean. Quite a crowd you have gathering out there.”
“News traveled fast. Don’t think Nick was even in his seat before the phones started ringing and the bar hit capacity.”
“Good for business.”
“Yes, but you guys have complete privacy back here. My wife’s here tonight. She’ll be taking care of you,” he tells me. “What can I get you to drink?”
I notice Shaw and Nick both drinking beer so I order the same.
“Is tonight a publicity gig or coincidence?” I sit in the empty seat between my brothers.
“Coincidence. The bartender’s girlfriend dropped him off tonight and saw me walking in with Shaw. She tweeted or Instagrammed or some shit. The crowd ensued.”
“Lifestyles of the rich and famous,” I joke.
“Yeah, yeah. Better warn Claire now. Your picture is probably going to be plastered on social media soon. No doubt someone recognized you.”
“Are you kidding? She loves that shit. Comments, likes, reacts, retweets… whatever you call it. She goads the masses and then gives me details.”
“Shit, I forget sometimes how crazy that woman is.” He takes a long slug of his beer.
“What’s the occasion? Why did you ask me to meet here tonight?” Sean returns with his wife, carrying a large silver cooler stand with ice. His wife loads beer in the cooler, explaining the bar is now a full out zoo and they wanted to make sure we have what we need.
They leave, and Shaw answers my question. “We’re celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?”
“I bought Grace a house today.”
I freeze, my beer halfway to my mouth, and my eyes jump between them. “You did what?”
“He. Bought. Grace. A house,” Shaw draws out slowly.
“I heard that, you dipshit.”
“Then why’d you ask?” I ignore him and put my focus on Nick.
“Let me rephrase, I didn’t know you were in the market for a house.”
“You knew I was thinking about it.”
“Yes, earlier this year, before you found out about the baby. Grace said you weren’t going to make any changes. Last week, when we were at your place, the women planned an entire nursery.”
“Last week sealed the deal. When Grace’s family left, we had a talk. We need more space. She was resistant but finally agreed. I called Shaw and got the ball rolling. We looked at a place yesterday, and I bought it today.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that,” he answers.
“You said, ‘I bought it today.’ Does Grace know this?”
“She does now. She balked at the price, told me there was no way we were spending that kind of money, threw a tantrum, and stalked out.”
“And you bought it anyway?”
“Mathis, I knew the instant we pulled into the circular driveway I was buying it. She couldn’t hide her reaction.”
“Have you told her?”
Shaw chuckles, passing a fresh round of beers to us. I catch the amusement in his eyes. “Wait until you hear this,” he says.
“Is she leaving you again?” I ask him seriously.
“No, asshole. She’s not leaving me again, ever. She may have threatened everything in her power, but she came around.”
“This is where it gets good.” Shaw sits back, crossing an ankle over his knee and watching Nick. “Tell him how you pussified yourself.”
“Fuck you, Shaw.”
“From the sound of things, that may be the closest you get to fucking for a while.”
Nick scowls, his good nature turning to irritation. “She came around,” he repeats.
“Do I want to know how you pulled that off?”
“I explained my rationale, and she had no choice but to agree. The four days her family was here were eye-opening. Her parents are awesome, and Roy stayed with Logan, but the whole time, I kept thinking about the way she and Logan grew up. She lived on a fucking orchard. Trees, land, big house, lots of rooms. I want that for her and our children. I can’t transplant a peach orchard to Miami, so I did what I could. Bought her a mansion on two acres.”
“None of that sounds pussified,” I surmise.
“Wait for it,” Shaw tells me.
Nick snaps his mouth, not enjoying this nearly as much as Shaw.
“Well, one of you idiots fill me in.”
“Roy’s sending down a horticulturist with soil samples. This dumbass is going to try to grow peach trees in south Florida.” Shaw can no longer contain his laughter and roars.
I try to hold in my own, but the absurdity becomes too much and I join him.
“You two are assholes. Why I chose to celebrate with you means I’ve lost my mind.”
“Why are we here? Where’s Grace?”
“She and Logan had a client install tonight she couldn’t miss. He’s bringing her home later.”
“Not to get too involved in your personal business, but how the hell did you buy a house in one day? Doesn’t this take time?”
His irritation vanishes, and he jerks his chin to Shaw. “Pays to have a lawyer as my agent as well. Shaw handled most of it.”
“It also helps when you make an offer and back it up with six million dollars cash,” Shaw informs me.
I nod in understanding. “We’re here celebrating, Grace and Claire are at work, so where the hell is Bizzy?”
“She’s at home with Brinley. We couldn’t find a sitter.”
Something in the way he says it is off, and I can’t miss the exchange between him and Nick. The hair on the back of my neck tingles and suspicion sets in. There is no way in hell they couldn’t find a babysitter.
“Couldn’t find a sitter?”
“Something like that,” he replies.
I chug the rest of my beer, sitting back and eyeing them both. I remain silent, waiting for one of them to speak. Nick cracks first.
“Is there anything you want to tell us?”
“Is there something specific you want to know?”
“For fuck’s sake, are you proposing to Claire in Boston?” he asks uncomfortably, guzzling his own beer.
I go quiet again, if anything to drive them crazy. Nick reaches for another beer, shuffling in his seat.
Shaw remains cool; his only tell is the tick in his jaw. The seconds pass until he lets out a long sigh. “You have to give us something.”
“Tonight’s dinner is a ruse to get me alone and pry me for information? Which one of your wives came up with this idea?”
“You did this to yourself, dropping the bomb to everyone you were getting married in Vegas. Now that you’ve planted the seed, it’s the topic of conversation.”
“Not to mention your little crack about not waiting until after the baby comes. Grace is convinced you’re going to do something impulsive,” Nick admits.
“Claire is Bizzy’s best friend, so of course she’s all over this. Creating scenarios in her head and assuming you’re proposing in Boston,” Shaw adds.
“Jesus, you two are worse than them. I don’t remember either of you consulting with me when you proposed.”
“As I said, you did this to yourself,” Shaw states again. “And you should know, Bizzy let it slip to Mom, who is also now in on the speculations.”
I close my eyes and drop my head back. This explains why Mom has called the last three days ‘just to check in’. I don’t have a chance to respond because Sean’s wife returns, and we order dinner. When she leaves, I’m back on the spot.
“I don’t plan to propose in Boston. Thought about it but decided against it. As much as I wish this was a vacation, it’s a
high-pressure medical seminar. We’re not even on the same learning tracks. Not exactly conducive to romance.”
“I thought you were staying over a few extra days.”
“That’s because I’ve never taken her anywhere with only the two of us. I wanted a little downtime to relax before jumping right back into the busyness of our lives,” I explain and see the understanding dawn on them.
“No offense, but Claire has never struck me as a woman that does romance,” Nick points out.
“I lived on that assumption for too long. She’s always going to be Claire, but there’s an emotional side that runs deep. Bizzy and Grace wear their hearts on their sleeves, but Claire keeps hers a little more discreet.”
“I caught a glimpse of that the other night at Nick’s.” Shaw remembers her show of emotions with Roy and the baby furniture.
“Don’t let her know you saw. She’ll make it her mission to prove you wrong,” I warn him.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Well, if you’re not going to pop the question this week, do you have any idea when you’ll make it official? You gotta give me something for Grace,” Nick questions.
I shoot him a glare, communicating the subject is closed. There is no way I’m telling them anything because, without malice, those women would ruin any chance of a surprise.
“Okay, then at least tell me this. Are you honestly going to drag our asses to Las Vegas?”
“Yep.”
“Shit, man… Vegas in the summer. It’s hot as hell,” he grumbles.
“I hate to be a dick, but do I need to remind you that, as of August, Nick and Grace can’t travel for obvious reasons?” Shaw raises an eyebrow.
“No, you don’t need to remind me. I’m aware of when the season starts and when the baby is due.”
The implication hangs in the air, and Nick blows out a whistle through his teeth. “Son of a bitch. You’re holding out on us. You have a plan.”
“Closing the subject on my life now. Gossip session is over.”
Nick’s face heats up, but luckily, Shaw pipes in, helping me move along.
“What’s happening at the hospital?”
I grab my beer, sit back in my chair, and tell them what I can. “Confidentiality is still in place, but I say things aren’t good. The CEO, CFO, and hospital administrator are in contact with DEA and local arms of law enforcement. What’s alarming and disturbing is, out of all the hospitals and medical facilities in a thirty-mile radius, no one is reporting any occurrences of theft but us. Our materials management team is working overtime to trace back shipments, inventory, and watching all new deliveries closely. At this point, no Class–A drugs are missing from pharmaceuticals, but the inventories are showing more and more over the counter supplies and medications missing. The only silver lining is that Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Maternity, and Cardiology seem to be in the clear. Nothing has gone missing from our areas.”
Heartthrob (Bennett Brothers Series) Page 12
