Page 11 of One Pucking Heart

With a sigh and a shake of my head, I decline. “Thank you for the invite, but I like to spend my downtime with people I care about like friends and family, and your mom is neither. Have a great weekend and good luck at school.”

Without another glance toward Elena, I head out of the gym and the building. All my friends and family are busy this weekend, but I’d rather be alone than be with someone who thinks so little of me. I feel like an idiot. All this time, I thought she was playing hard to get. The truth is, she’s not impressed with me in the least. She has zero desire for me to get to know her.

The last team doctor was a complete imbecile, but at least he wasn’t too good to talk to me. Hell, I knew his Pomeranian's first, middle, and last name and the fluffy thing’s birthday. For fuck’s sake, I knew his house cleaner’s zodiac sign. He was part of the Crane family.

Dr. Cortez is seeing me at my most vulnerable. I’m trusting her and trying to build some sort of a connection. Yes, I’m flirting, but I’d be happy with a friendship. The woman has given me nothing.

Sure, my ego is bruised, but I can’t help feeling it’s more than that. Whatever it is, I don’t like it one bit.

CHAPTER SIX

ELENA

Ari eats from the carton of ice cream, giggling away as the movie How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days plays. I signed up for a streaming service that I’ve heard people rave about for years. Now that I have internet, the selection of shows and movies is amazing. Ari and I have always used the archaic antenna to watch local channels, or we’d rent DVDs from the library and watch them on a DVD player I got for two dollars at a garage sale.

Experiencing the joys of a smart TV, internet, and streaming services is something else. It’s also rather addicting. Now that my daughter has moved out and I finished my residency, I have so much more time on my hands. My only real patient is Beckett. All the other players are healthy and staying that way since it’s offseason. I’ve been spending my hours of free time bingeing shows. The streaming service carries the Gilmore Girls, Ari’s and my favorite, and I’ve watched the entire series, from the first episode to the last, in less than a week. I may have a problem.

Getting regular and admittedly hefty paychecks is a luxury I can get used to. I won’t always spend all my free time in front of a television, but it’s years overdue, so I’m enjoying it.

The movie ends, and Ari looks at me. “I can’t believe we’ve never seen that one. You would think that the library would carry it.”

“I know. It’s a good one.”

“Though, in your case, it’s called how to lose a guy in thirty seconds,” she teases.

She has not let up about Beckett since he stormed off all butt hurt after he’d met Ari on Friday. I see his point to an extent. But I’ve also made it very clear that I’m a private person. I don’t know why that concept is so hard for some people to grasp.

“Would you stop with that already?” I stand, grabbing the rest of the carton of melted ice cream from the coffee table.

Ari follows me into the kitchen. “I’m just saying the guy was hurt. I get that you’re private, Mom, but sometimes you overdo it.”

“Setting boundaries is a personal thing. I can’t overdo it. My boundaries are set where I’m comfortable, and I won’t apologize for that.”

“Yeah, but you’ve been working with the guy for a month. He’s a big sports dude and injured, so I imagine he feels vulnerable. He’s let you in and told you all about himself to build a relationship so he doesn’t have to feel so exposed. A little kindness and bedside manner can go a long way.”

I drop the container of half-eaten ice cream in the trash, pretending that the waste doesn’t bother me, and look at Ari. “I have a great bedside manner. That’s what Dr. Ameson, who ultimately got me this job, loved most about me.”

“Maybe you did at the hospital, but not with Beckett. I saw you two together for sixty seconds, and I can tell you’re different with him.”

I raise my hands in protest, my voice coming out more shrill than I’d like. “I have to be. He wants things that I can’t give him. It’s best this way for everyone involved.”

She leans her hip against the counter, arms crossed as I rinse off her spoon and put it in the dishwasher. “Or maybe you want him, too.”

“Ari!” I gasp. “He’s my patient.”

“Yeah. A freaking hot one.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m way too old for him. You saw his reaction to me having a full-grown daughter. I’m old enough to be his mother.”

“Technically, if you had him at thirteen.” She quirks a brow. “But that’s not what he was upset about. He was upset that he didn’t know you were a mom in the first place. His face was hurt, but he was not grossed out or anything. Plus, you’re not eighty, Mom. You’re forty. You could still have kids.”

I suppress a laugh. “I’m afraid that ship has sailed. I’m too old.”

She stands up tall, hands on her hips. “Kids aside, you’re hot. You’re hotter than most of my friends. And you’re young. Stop acting like you’re a granny.”

“I could be a granny. I had a three-year-old at your age.”

“Yeah.” She tilts her head to the side, wearing a mirror reflection of my smirk. “Well, I know about this glorious invention called birth control, so that won’t be happening anytime soon.”

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