“Let’s have a girls’ night later this week!” Lucy suggests. “We can do our nails, watch chick-flicks, eat as much junk food as we can stomach, and then pass out on the couch.”
“Sounds fun!” I tell her, perking up at the idea. “I haven’t had a night like that in ages.”
“It’s settled then. Friday night. We can order take out. Your place or mine?” she asks as she takes a bite of her food.
“Mine is probably easiest for me.”
“You’re right, your place probably is easiest, and then we don’t have to worry about kicking Adam out for our girls’ night,” she says. Adam and her finally found a place and moved in together at the beginning of the month.
“Are you guys fully adjusted to living together?” I ask.
“I think so. We’ve finally gotten everything put away. I thought there for a little bit that we’d never agree on how to utilize some of the cabinets in the kitchen.”
“Such difficult problems to work through,” I tease her.
“Hey, just you wait until you and Drew get to the point that you move in together. I’m sure you’ll have some growing pains as you get used to all the little quirks that you never realized beforehand. Even with the amount of nights that you guys already spend together, when you don’t have the option of not being around the other person, little things you never noticed are now very noticeable.”
“Well, we’re far from that, so I guess I’ll just remember that for when it happens long down the road. Any more wedding talks?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Not really. We’ve discussed things loosely, but he’s traditional. He’ll ask my dad first, for permission, before he’ll ever ask me to marry him. I’m still holding out for this year, if I’m honest.”
“Have you told him that?” I ask.
“I’ve hinted at it, but haven’t outright told him. I don’t want it to be forced. I want him to want it just as much as I do, not that I don’t think we’re both headed in that direction, if we aren’t already there. He’s a planner, so for all I know, he’s already planning something and I’m just clueless over here.”
“Maybe he’ll ask you over the holidays?” I suggest.
“Maybe, but I don’t think so. I think he’d want it to be something not connected to a holiday, but what do I know,” she says, shrugging her shoulders.
“I guess you just have to be patient. It will happen when it’s meant to happen,” I assure her.
“Yep,” she agrees. We both finish off our lunches, and just before I go to leave the table, my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out and see Drew’s face flashing on my screen.
“Hey,” I greet as soon as I answer the call.
“Hey, I made it to Chicago.”
“Good, how was the flight?” I ask as I pull away from the table.
“It was good, uneventful. I’m grabbing some lunch and then will be on my next flight,” he tells me.
“Sounds good. I just got done having lunch with Lucy. We made plans for Friday night. We’re going to have a girls’ night in,” I tell him of our plans.
“Good, how was work this morning?” he asks, always in work mode.
“It was fine, busy like normal,” I tell him as I slowly move toward the elevators.
“Okay, well, I should get going, I’m next in line to order and then I’ve got to get to my gate, but I wanted to call and let you know I’d at least made it to Chicago.”
“Call me when you make it to Hawaii.”
“It’s going to be late, especially with the time difference. How about I just send you a text so I don’t wake you up.”
“Okay,” I agree, even though I’ll miss talking to him before I fall asleep.
“Talk soon, babe. Have a good afternoon,” he tells me before the call disconnects. I know he needs this trip, so I check my emotions and press the up button for an elevator. I’ve got kids that need me this afternoon and they need my full and undivided attention, not someone who’s pining over her boyfriend that’s off on a trip without her.
“TO GIRLFRIENDS, JUNK FOOD AND WINE,” Lucy calls out in a makeshift toast as we sit on the couch with takeout containers around us, as well as a few bags of chips, some Twizzlers and a mixed bag of mini Hershey bars.
“Here, here,” I agree with her, clinking wine glasses together.
“This week kicked my ass,” she says as she finishes off her glass of wine, filling it right back up as soon as she sets it on the table.
“I’ll agree with that. My schedule was all over the place.”
“Hopefully they’ll get us a temp to fill in for Zoe since she had to go out early for bedrest this week.”
“They’re going to have to, otherwise, we’re not going to be able to keep up with the demand. It sucks that she’s having complications though,” I say. I don’t know her all that well, as we don’t tend to work in the same areas of the hospital, but we’ve met a few times at department meetings or passing in the halls a few times. She’s due to have a baby in a month or so but ended up on bedrest this week due to some early contractions.
“I’m sure they’re working on it, but in the meantime, we’re swamped,” Lucy says.
We fall into watching the movie we put on and devouring the takeout we had delivered. Once the first movie ends, she pulls out a container she brought that is filled with every color of the rainbow and then some, along with everything else we’ll need to do our nails tonight. “I was thinking that instead of giving ourselves pedicures, that we could go get one tomorrow morning at the place up the road.”
“I’m all for that,” I tell her.
“Perfect, it’s a date then,” she says, giggling some. I’m sure the wine that we’ve been drinking all night has gone to her head by now, aiding her on.
“It’s a date,” I agree.
“So, how’s Drew been this week?” she asks as we each clean our nails off with polish remover.
“He’s good. He’s been doing a lot of hiking and exploring. Some swimming and time out on the beach. I guess the place he’s staying at has private beach access, and he can walk out his patio door and right onto the sand. The views he showed me when we’ve FaceTimed are amazing. I so wish I could have gone with him, but alas, I’m here with you,” I say, jokingly.
“Yeah, yeah, I know I’m just chopped liver,” she teases me right back.
“Hey, if I’d have gone then we wouldn’t have ever thought to have this girls’ night,” I tell her, thinking of the positives this trip has provided.
“That’s true. Plus, doesn’t distance make the heart grow fonder or some crap like that?” she asks.
“So, they say,” I reply just as my phone starts ringing. “Speaking of the devil,” I say, laughing as I answer the phone. “Hello!” I say, just as I hiccup.
“Hi,” Drew’s sexy voice fills my ears. “Are you drunk?” he asks, humor lacing his voice.
“Hello to you, too,” I say into the phone. “And maybe? We’ve finished off two bottles of wine so far.”
His deep booming laugh fills the phone, which causes me to start giggling, fucking giggling. “Make sure you take some ibuprofen and drink a bottle of water before you fall asleep tonight or you’re going to be hurting in the morning.”
“Yes, Dad,” I smart off to him.
“Okay, you’re definitely drunk. I guess I’ll let you girls get back to your night. Don’t do anything stupid, call me when you’re somewhat human tomorrow.”
“‘Kay, I’ll talk to you in the morning. Night,” I tell him before ending the call.
“Did you really call him dad?” Lucy asks in a fit of her own giggles.
“Yes, he was trying to remind me that we need to take meds and drink water before we fall asleep so we’re not hurting in the morning.”
“Ugh. Such an adult. Why’s he got to take away all of our fun?” she says, laughing.
“How about another movie?” I suggest since we’ve both finished painting our nails. Lucy had
to help me a little bit, with my right hand, but I did the same with hers.
We fall into silence as we watch the drama unfold on the TV, both relaxing more as the time passes and the wine really kicks in, and we both do what we planned and pass out on the couch. I wake up a few hours later, the TV showing infomercials as they tend to show in the middle of the night. I’ve got a headache and a crick in my neck from the position I was in on the couch. I carefully transfer myself to my chair and head for the bathroom, where I down some ibuprofen and some water. I take some out and set them on the end table for Lucy. She’s stretched out and looks somewhat comfortable, so I leave her be. I turn the TV off, along with most of the lights, and head for my bed, passing out promptly.
I roll over, my head not hurting nearly as bad as I thought it would be this morning, that must be thanks to the water and meds I had in the middle of the night. “Ugh!” I hear coming from the living room. “Kill me now,” follows a few seconds later.
I roll out of bed, and into my chair. After a quick stop in the bathroom, I head for the kitchen and get a pot of coffee brewing.
“I put some water and ibuprofen on the end table for you,” I tell her quietly, not sure if noise is going to bother her.
“Thanks, I found them a little bit ago and got them down. Why did we do this to ourselves?” she asks.
“Sorry you’re hurting so bad. I should have woken you up when I got up in the middle of the night.”
“It’s okay. I’ve only got myself to blame,” she says.
“Coffee should be ready soon; can I make you something to eat?”
“Maybe some toast for now, if you’ve got any.”
“I can do that,” I tell her and head back into the kitchen and pop in four slices of toast. While they toast, I grab two coffee cups and fill them up. I set them on a tray, along with the creamer. Once the toast all pops up, I butter them, adding some strawberry jelly to mine and then add the plates to the tray. I balance it on my lap and head for the living room. Lucy has at least sat up by now, and graciously accepts the cup of hot coffee and plate with buttered toast.
“You’re a godsend,” she says after a few sips of coffee.
“Are you still going to be up for pedicures today?” I ask after we’ve both finished our toast and first cups of coffee.
“I should be. I’m already starting to feel human again. After a shower and maybe a full breakfast, I should be good for the rest of the day.”
“We can grab some breakfast somewhere before pedicures,” I suggest.
“Yes! Have you been to the Jefferson Diner? They have some of the best hangover homemade style breakfasts.”
“Sounds perfect, I’ve never been, but I’m up for trying it out.”
“Okay, I’m going to run home and shower and change then. Want to meet there, in say, an hour?”
“That works for me,” I tell her as she gathers her things from last night, along with some of our trash from the takeout that didn’t get thrown away. “I can do all of that later,” I try and tell her.
“Nonsense, I can help,” she insists as she continues to clean up from our girls’ night. Once everything is back to how it was before our shenanigans, she heads out with the plan to meet back up shortly.
17
DREW
I SIT in the terminal of the airport on the Big Island waiting on my flight to be called for boarding. The past week here has given me more time to relax, self-reflect and think about everything that has been weighing on me these last few months.
I tap the edge of my cell against my chin as decisions about my future continue to swirl in my mind. I got an email this week from Doctors Without Borders, looking for a pediatric cardiologist with surgery credentials—which I happen to have. They’re assembling a team for a six-week trip to some remote parts of Rwanda in the springtime next year. I’ve always wanted to donate my time and talents to the organization but have never had the time to dedicate to the length of time they usually request. But this trip I could potentially pull off. It’s far enough out that I’d be able to have all my patients covered and I’d be able to coordinate the time off with the hospital. They’d love the PR that would come with one of their doctors being associated with such a prestigious organization. But, six weeks away is a long time to be gone. Would Megan support me going? Would she have an issue with me being gone for so long with little to no contact? This week was hard enough with the time difference. We talked a handful of times, but usually they were quick conversations.
Being away from her this week did clarify that my feelings for her are solid. She’s rolled into my life and flipped it around. I went from not thinking I could make time for someone else to worrying about what she’s thinking we should have for dinner, and can my house accommodate her long-term if I’d ask her to move in with me.
Drew: Are you free sometime this week for dinner and beers?
I hit send on the text, knowing just who I can talk to about all the dilemmas fighting for space in my mind. I watch as the text goes from delivered to read and the three little thought bubbles start dancing along the bottom of my screen.
Simon: Sure mate, how’s Tuesday night for you? Aren’t you gone?
Drew: I’m sitting in an airport in Hawaii currently, but will be back home late tonight. Tuesday should work just fine, six work for you?
Simon: It should, if something changes, I’ll text you and let you know.
Drew: Thanks man. I’ve got some shit to deal with and need an outsider prospective.
Simon: Anytime mate.
I slip in my earbuds and pull up the podcast I started listening to on my flight here, then tuck my phone in the side pocket of my backpack before sliding back in my seat, doing my best to get comfortable until it’s time to board.
I WALK through the door to my house, dropping my suitcase and backpack on the floor just inside. I’m exhausted after flying all day. It’s the middle of the night here, and even though I’d finally adjusted to the time difference mid-week, I’m dead on my feet and head straight to my room. I flip on the light and am shocked to find Megan asleep on the bed, all curled up on one side. I didn’t even put two and two together until now that her car was in my driveway when I pulled in.
“Drew,” her sleepy voice calls out to me.
“Shit, sorry,” I say, hitting the light switch, shutting it off so that it isn’t shining in her eyes.
“It’s okay. How was your flight?” she asks. I can hear her moving in the bed and, seconds later, the room is filled with the soft glow of the lamp on the bedside table.
“Long. I’m exhausted and ready for bed,” I tell her as I move further into the bedroom and start stripping my clothes off. Now that I’m home and she’s in front of me, all I want is to be wrapped around and buried deep inside of her.
“Well, then come to bed,” she says, patting the bed next to her. “I’ve missed you,” she whispers into the room as I slide between the sheets a few moments later. I pull her into me, not stopping until my lips are on hers. God, I missed this woman.
“I missed you, too, so much this week,” I tell her honestly after we break apart.
“I’m glad to know that it wasn’t only me then,” she says, tucking her face into my neck. I tighten my arm around her, pulling her a fraction closer to me. I slip a hand under her tank top, raking my hand up her smooth skin until I reach the bottom of her breast. I skim my thumb over her nipple and feel as it hardens under my touch. I repeat the motion, feeling as it continues to harden until it’s the perfect peak. “Mhmmm,” she moans as I continue to explore her body, testing how responsive she is to my touch.
“I need to be inside of you,” I say as I flip her under me and run my teeth along the edge of her jaw. “I’ve thought of the moment I’d see you again after I returned, and couldn’t wait to get my hands,” I squeeze her flesh lightly, emphasizing the word, “and lips on you.” I pause, sucking lightly at the tender spots on her neck. “And burying my cock so far into you that y
ou don’t know where I end, and you begin,” I say as I lightly thrust my still covered, hard-as-steel cock against her.
“Yes, please,” she moans, and I stop to strip her of the few clothing items she has on. I also take the extra few seconds to shed my own boxers and to roll the condom on.
I slide a finger up her slit, around her clit, feeling just how ready she is for me. I flick over her clit back and forth once, watch her body bow as I do. I ache to be inside of her, but I also ache to taste and have her come apart on my tongue. I slide down, settling my body just right, and repeat my earlier movements, but this time with my tongue.
“Drew!” she shouts my name as I suck her clit hard between my lips.
“Yes?” I question, knowing damn well that she’s enjoying this just as much as I am.
“More, don’t stop, please,” she practically begs.
I do as requested, but I kiss her inner thighs first, then return to her clit. I simultaneously suck and flick at her clit with my tongue as two fingers sink inside her wet pussy. Her walls clench around my fingers, trying to keep me inside of her as I fuck her with a rapid rhythm. It doesn’t take long before I can feel her body start to quake and spasm around me. Her orgasm hits her and the sounds that leave her body are all I need to hear to have my own body strumming for a release. I pull back, removing my fingers, I lick them clean of her release, then kiss her inner thighs once more before I push my way up. I drop feather-light kisses along her exposed skin, tasting the slight saltiness from the sheen of sweat that shimmers on her skin. I spend a few seconds lavishing each breast when I make it that high, taking in the fact that her breathing has almost returned to normal.
“Are you ready for more?” I whisper against her lips once I reach them, kissing her deeply before she can answer me with words. I feel her legs wrap around my hips, then her hand grips my cock as she works to line me up with her entrance. As soon as I can feel the warmth of her against the crown of my cock, I thrust forward until I’m balls deep. Home, I’m home. The thought that this is where I belong, she is my person, my reason in life, hits me hard.
Cocky Doc: A Hero Club Novel Page 14
