Enforcer

by Ryleigh Rhodes

  "I haven't been that way since the first year or two in the pros, and I wouldn't touch her if it didn't mean anything. It's impossible to make everyone in our lives happy. Fuck, man we're both adults. I have her best intentions at heart. Whatever happens between us is our business, our choice," I asserted, before finishing my coffee.

  Boundaries needed to be discussed as soon as possible. I couldn't accept people dictating my life. Kristen had stuck her nose in my business plenty over the years. Sometimes it was a good thing, not that I'd ever admit it openly, but I truly cared for Claire, even if they didn't see it yet.

  "I admire that, I do. She's been through so much already. Not just losing Sawyer, she has issues from before. If you're not willing to sort through them leave her be, she doesn't need the heartbreak."

  Who does need heartbreak? I had never thought that my past reputation would try to bite me in the ass here and now. I was never as bad as Connor, that sleaze bag.

  "I've been around her for years now, and know what kind of woman she is. She's worth the effort, every bit of it, and I hope she feels the same about me. She did share some things about C.B." I doubted that she had shared all of the details, and I wouldn't blame her for that either. Q nodded.

  "That tells me enough right there. Claire will tell people to back off, if they get too involved. I'm going to head out. Take care of her." Q stood, and offered a handshake.

  I hesitated only for a second, then reached out to grasp Q's hand. I had only been worried about Kristen interfering. I hadn't even thought about Claire's other friends having an issue with us dating.

  ######

  In all the years I've known Clay, he's always sported some form of facial hair. When Clay picked me up that night, he was clean shaven. If it wasn't for a few scars here and there, he'd have had a total babyface. I was curious about the sudden change, but I had to admit he looked sexy as hell.

  Clay and I were tucked away in a corner booth. The restaurant was dimly lit, but the service, so far, had been fantastic. The food was borderline orgasmic, but of course I practically live off of cafeteria food at the hospital.

  "How's it been with Kristen?" Clay questioned, while pushing food around on his plate.

  "Kristen's still on the fence it seems. You know, I've witnessed Kristen in action with your ex's. I'm not sure if she's truly worried about our group getting torn apart, or if she's trying her hand at reverse psychology. Jack seems fine with it." I finished the last delicious morsel of my steak.

  Kristen wasn't following her normal protocol for inciting drama. I had hoped that it was because she wanted us both happy, but wasn't quite sure about us being in a relationship just yet. It would be a big adjustment, group dynamic wise, if Clay and I crashed and burned. I could partly see her side of the argument, but we were all adults.

  "Kristen's been avoiding me," Clay admitted. "Have you found a place yet?"

  "I have it narrowed down to two. I have a few weeks left to decide," I said. Both of my apartment options were okay. both had certain perks amenity wise, but neither seemed that great. I could afford to buy, but I wanted to keep my choices open.

  Moving out of Denver was still floating around my mind, but I didn't dare mention that to Clay again. This relationship was still new, but I wanted to see where it would go. Even if it scared the crap out of me. The two times I had opened my heart up, I'd been crushed. Sawyer hadn't planned to die, but it was still devastating. And, C.B., well he was an asshole who rejected me after my injury. It wasn't a flat out rejection, because he wanted to be friends, or possibly more, stringing me along until his tragic death.

  "You could move in with me. It's an option." Discarding his napkin on the table he leaned back, watching me.

  No way, was he serious? His hot eyes burned into mine, and for a brief moment, I was tempted to give in, but I couldn't.

  "Clay, it's too soon," I huffed, draining my wine glass. Way too soon!

  "I'll be on the road quite a bit. I wouldn't mind having someone keeping an eye on the house."

  I focused on running my fingers across the table cloth to ease my tension. "If the twins weren't part of the equation, I'd probably consider it. We're taking things slow, remember?" Thank god, the waiter approached the table.

  "Are you interested in viewing the dessert menu?"

  "No dessert for me," I answered quickly. Clay nodded in agreement.

  "How about another glass of wine?" Now that was more tempting, but one more would put me over the line. I'd never been drunk(alone) around the twins, as their primary care giver it was too risky. In the event of an emergency I needed to be ready to act. Kristen and Sarah have ganged up on me once, taking me out on my birthday and getting me stinkin' drunk, but Jack and Maria stayed home with the kids. I wasn't always a totally responsible, prude, at least not all the time.

  "No. Thank you," I replied, as Clay requested the check and the waiter left.

  "I want to spend time with you, and the kids. I'm going to talk to Jack, but it's starting to get uncomfortable with Kristen ignoring me, and giving you a hard time."

  The waiter returned, handing Clay the check. Tucking his card in the holder he gave the check back to the waiter without even a glance.

  "I wouldn't say hard time, but making it awkward, yes. Things will work out. Just focus on your game tomorrow."

  Things would go back to normal once the twins and I had moved out, and settled back into our old routine. Kristen and Jack would have their space again.

  "I'm prepared for tomorrow." My phone rang, as the waiter reappeared with the check. Clay signed the bill while I stared at my phone. Heaving a sigh of frustration, I answered it.

  "Dr. Harris—" I could feel him watching me. "No, I can't come in ... I'm sorry. I can make rounds in the morning, but I can't drop everything and make it in tonight ..." I glanced over at Clay, and rolled my eyes. "As soon as I get near a computer, I'll login and take a look at the labs, okay? ... Bye." I hung up, huffing out a sigh.

  Clay sent me a sympathetic look. "Can't catch a break?" He'd been around long enough to know how crazy my schedule could get.

  "Which is why I'm moving into private practice. I need to get to a computer." I placed my napkin on the table.

  "Okay, let's get you home."

  A few more days and I would no longer receive frantic calls from the hospital randomly asking me for a second opinion. No more calls asking me to drop everything and come in at odd hours of the night. I couldn't be more excited at the thought.

  ######

  Clay parked his SUV in front of the garage and cut the engine. I unbuckled my seatbelt, but Clay placed his hand on mine. "Mind if I come inside for a bit? I'd like to see the kids," Clay softly questioned.

  "I don't mind. You're on your own with Kristen though." Pulling my hand away, I exited the SUV. I picked up my pace. I need to get inside. There was a stiffness in the air, and I was willing to bet there would be a layer of snow on the ground by morning. Clay casually followed me inside. We entered the kitchen to find Jack watching TV alone.

  "Hey Jack," I greeted, while slipping off my jacket.

  "It's not even nine o'clock. Why are you back so early?" Jack sipped his beer. A lot of snide comments came to mind about work, but I bit my lip instead. Five years of working overtime without a break, had taken its toll, but I was finally getting out.

  "Work called. I'll try to wrap things up quickly." I headed upstairs leaving Clay behind with Jack.

  ######

  Clay

  "How was it?" Jack asked.

  Too short, I thought, prying a beer out of the fridge and popping the cap. "Good. I asked her to move in with me." Jack choked on his beer, then tried to hide his look of shock and horror.

  "I can't believe you did that. What'd she say?"

  I took a long pull from my beer before answering, "She said no ... Why is Kristen avoiding me?" I sat across from Jack. No more tip toeing around this shit. Kristen was a big girl, she could handle this situation like
an adult.

  "I didn't know she was avoiding you." Jack finished the last of his beer. The playoffs were keeping Jack occupied, so it didn't surprise me.

  "She is. Claire's noticed a change too." I could only hope Kristen would come around. Or at least open up as to why she was against us dating. Kristen always seemed to have a problem with my girlfriends, and managed to drive a wedge between us.

  "I don't know, man. She has seemed stressed lately. I'll talk to her. You staying here tonight?"

  I knew Claire would object. Sharing a bed with her, even just cuddling, didn't help me want to take things slow. I liked being close to her, I'd always wanted a family. Rushing into a commitment wasn't my style, but with Claire the joy outweighed the fear.

  "Wasn't planning on it. Have a game tomorrow. I wanted to see the kids before I left." I finished the rest of my beer.

  "Might as well go up before they're asleep," Jack suggested.

  I tossed my beer bottle in the garbage and trudged upstairs. From the doorway, I watch Cullen flip through a book. Kids made some people uncomfortable, but not me. They had grown up around me. Watching them grow, I'd always thought of them like family. I loved them.

  "Hey, Cullen. Where's your sister?" I walked to the window, glancing out.

  "She's sick in mom's room." Cullen closed his book. He's normally full of smiles, laughing, and trying to destroy something like boys do. Tonight he seemed anxious, withdrawn.

  "Oh, are you feeling sick?" I knew Claire could handle her kids being sick. That didn't mean I wanted her to deal with it alone. At least not that horrendous stomach bug, that had been going around.

  "No. What's going on with you and my mom?" he asked. Well, shit. The kid sounds worried too.

  I slowly turned to face Cullen before answering, "What do you mean?"

  "Aunt Kristen—" As soon as I heard Kristen's name, I stop Cullen. Maybe Cullen could reveal why Kristen is upset. Probably not, but I knew not to cross the line with Claire's kids. Answering Cullen's question about our relationship would cost me. Claire had final say in what she wanted her kids to know. One day, I hoped to be an equal in the parenting game, but I would have to wait for Claire.

  "Let's go check on your sister. Then, your mom and I, can answer your questions. Okay?"

  Cullen easily agreed. I followed Cullen to Claire's room. Cullen pushed open the door without knocking, walking to the loveseat where Claire and Tara-Lynn were seated. I closed the door behind me, sitting down in the desk chair across from the loveseat.

  "Is work taken care of?" I inquired. Tara-Lynn was snuggled up in Claire's lap.

  "Yes, there wasn't much I could do." Claire shrugged, and continued to rub Tara-Lynn's back.

  "Cullen has some questions ... about us," I stated, keeping a serious poker face in place. Claire looked at Cullen. I tapped Cullen's shoulder urging him to ask. Cullen dropped his head, suddenly becoming shy. I gave up, and repeated Cullen's question, "He would like to know what's going on with us. Aunt Kristen mentioned something. What did Aunt Kristen say?" I kept my tone smooth and slow.

  At Cullen's silence, I looked towards Tara-Lynn, hoping she would fill in the blanks.

  "She said you were dating. Things would change," Tara-Lynn spoke.

  "We are dating. Things will change. We're moving into our own place. It will be like it was before the fire," Claire said. She wasn't freaking out, at least not yet. I took that as a good sign.

  My mood improved. Claire didn't hesitate to openly admitted our relationship to her kids. That was a big deal!

  "I like living here," Cullen complained. I patted the boys shoulder, hoping he wouldn't become upset.

  "I know, you do. But, it's hard on me. The condo was a lot closer to work. I don't get to spend a lot of time with y'all. Which is why we're moving in a few weeks. So I'm not stuck in the car for so long. You will still see Aunt Kristen, and Matt. It just won't be as convenient as it is now."

  "Uncle Clay is moving in with us?" Tara-Lynn asked. I bit back a smile.

  "No, sweetie. Clay has his own house. Are you feeling better?" Tara-Lynn nodded. "Any other questions Cullen?" It was obvious that both kids were a little anxious over the unknown.

  "No ma'am." Cullen walked over to Claire, hugging her.

  "You can ask me anything, don't forget that. Get ready for bed. In a few minutes, Clay and I will be in to tuck you in." Claire kissed Tara-Lynn's forehead, and the twins headed towards their room.

  Claire rubbed her brow. I join her on the loveseat, pulling her onto my lap. Wrapping my arms around her, I buried my nose in her hair, brushing my lips by her ear. "Thank-you for telling the kids about us. It means a lot to me." She nodded, waiting a beat.

  "It means a lot to me, that you brought him in here to let me choose what to tell them."

  I leaned down, and gently kiss her. Claire complied for a few seconds and then pulled away. "Let's go tuck them in. Then you can go home, and prepare for your game."

  I told her earlier that I was prepared for the game. And, I was. Her concern over my career could be genuine, or she could be using it as a way to keep her distance. I didn't know, but we were taking it slow. I had time to figure her out.

  Chapter Seven

  I kept my arm in the sling like the trainer recommended. My ribs still hurt like a son-of-a-bitch. The fight left my face bruised and slightly swollen. We'd won the game, and I'd probably have to wrap my ribs for the next few weeks. The pain was worth it, Campbell had been boarded, but the ref didn't call it, so I retaliated.

  The doorbell rang. Then someone continued pushing it nonstop. I answered the door to find the culprits, Cullen and Matt.

  "Hey guys. Come on in. Where's your mom?" I questioned.

  "They're bringing in bags," Cullen replied.

  "My mom's at dad's game. Can we watch it on TV?" Matt eagerly inquired.

  "Yeah, bud. Let's be gentlemen and help the girls bring stuff in first. Then we'll get it on the TV." Claire and Tara-Lynn approach the door. Claire had four bags while Tara-Lynn had one. I took the bulky bag from Tara-Lynn and kissed Claire's cheek.

  She didn't even flinch or grimace at the sight of my face. Then again, this wasn't the first time she'd seen me in recovery mode either.

  "Let's get this stuff in the kitchen. Then, I'll get the TV going." I led them into the kitchen and set the bag on the counter. "Let me turn on their entertainment. I'll come back and help you sort stuff."

  "Okay." Claire smiled and unloaded the bags, while I put on the game.

  "Matt is much happier now," I mentioned, as I leaned against the island.

  "I bet. He was bugging me about it while running errands. Can I see your ribs?"

  "Sure." I adjusted my arm, and lifted half of my shirt up. Claire gently poked at my ribs, causing me to flinch.

  "Sorry." I smiled at her, letting her know I could handle it.

  "It's deep bruising. Think you can help?" Deep bruising could still turn into a nightmare later on in the season. Those games really counted, and I wanted this fixed as soon as possible.

  "I know you want to be back at 100%, but no guarantees. Juicing the leafy greens will help. The poultice method we'll be playing by ear, show me the food processor."

  I tapped a lower cabinet. "Juicer and food processor should be in that one. I'll put the veggies away."

  I watch as Claire pulled out the food processor, and combined the herbs and other ingredients into a paste. "You're not allergic to anything right?"