Page 5 of Fractured

“Like what?” I again sniffle.

“Apparently, Melanie thinks I’m a sex god on the stuff. Which would be great if I remembered any of it.” He chuckles. “But that could just be Mel pulling one over on me.” He grabs the nape of his neck with his right hand and continues, “And some of the guys from the fire department have said they had fun when I was out with them the night before. But I don’t remember going anywhere. I just figured they had their days confused, or I was drunk when I saw them. Or like Mel, they were fucking with me.”

Jake’s phone pings with an incoming text, and he looks down as he reads aloud. “Mel says, ‘tell Kat to get better soon and pick up some milk on your way home. Dinner will get cold if you two hang out too long.’ That’s her passive-aggressive way of saying get your ass back home. I better go.” He snorts.

Hugging him goodbye, I walk him to the door, feeling grateful for my dear friends. I know I can always count on them. “Please, don’t tell Mel what a basket case I am,” I plead.

“Kat, you aren’t a basket case. We’ll figure this out. Don’t worry about work. I’ll move some things around. Just stay in touch with this counselor and get yourself together. You’re fine. I mean it. We will figure this out.” He rubs my arms reassuringly before heading for the door.

As he turns to go down the steps, I look up to notice a large Ford F150 parked on the street.That’s not usually sitting there. A feeling of unease shrouds me. Is that Mark’s truck? Suddenly, the driver’s side door swings open, and a gray-haired man exits.Good Lord, hold it together, Kat.You’re really becoming paranoid now.

Returning inside, I lock my door and head back to the kitchen. Deciding I need a good distraction, I grab my Kindle and start to peruse my library of romance novels while the teapot begins to heat. If I can’t have a real-life hot alpha male like Dr. Nick Barnes, I’ll have to settle for a book boyfriend.Some of the book covers make me laugh. I reflect on what Jake shared earlier.Ha, Jake, a sex god. I chuckle to myself. Suddenly, I contemplate what he said.What are the odds we’ve both had crazy shit happen on this sleeping pill?I guess that’s one thing to be said for being terminally single. No chance I’ve been having hot sex with anyone. Quickly, I think back to my odd mornings in a state of undress…

Is there?

Chapter Three

Nick

I’m on edge as I leave my office, heading toward the physician’s parking lot. The sun is bright this afternoon, so I reach into my jacket to retrieve my Ray-Bans. Spotting my Audi, I click my lock and climb inside.What is wrong with me? I’m a surgeon, for fuck’s sake.Meeting some teenager for the first time to hang out shouldn’t be this nerve-wracking. I pull out and head toward the highway. I’m meeting my new ‘little brother’ in about thirty minutes. I want to make a good impression. This could be good for me. Give me something positive to focus on. Something besides Katarina Kelly.

Driving down the highway, I think back on the last few weeks. Life’s been flat without that snarky brazen beauty around. After mauling her in the Target, she’s played a vanishing act.Yep, blew that one. She must’ve thought I was a conceited bastard. ‘I just wanted you to have something to think about when you were out later.’ She showed me. Probably hasn’t given me a second thought. I’ve missed her sarcastic banter in the ER. Hell, I haven’t even received a work text asking for help. Of course, the last time she sent one of those, I practically pounced on her in an exam room.Any wonder why your texts went silent?

I didn’t have the guts to ask Jake if Kat had begun a new relationship. Jesus, with my knack for incorrect assumptions, she probably wasn’t on a date at all. It could’ve been a family function. But somehow, I could tell from her facial expression there was another man involved. Was it that firefighter?

Even though I’m not looking for a commitment, I’ve never thought of myself as a player. The women I’d been involved with understood the score. So, why is it I suddenly feel like I’ve been played? The way she could just walk away after the hottest night of my life. I know there’s chemistry between us. How could she not feel it too?You never wanted a relationship in the first place, you idiot.I need to move on but stay open to possibilities. Dad’s right. If there’s a chance for this to develop, I’ll consider it if and when it happens. Otherwise, I’ll focus on work, my new ‘little brother,’ and possibly see if Calina will agree to go out again.

* * *

Walking into the musty-smelling office, I approach the desk. A kind-looking woman looks up from her paperwork and smiles. “What can I do for you?”

“Hi. I’m Nicholas Barnes. I have an appointment with Sandra.”

“Oh, certainly. I’ll let her know you’re here.”

I turn and notice a small waiting area next to the front door and lower myself into the worn, yellow vinyl chair. Wiping my hands on my trousers, I fret.God, why am I so nervous?

“Dr. Barnes?” A beautiful redhead approaches, arm extended in greeting. “I’m Sandra. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you too.”

“Would you follow me? I received all of your paperwork and matched you with an athletic young man, thinking it’d give you something in common. I know you said you played soccer. I’m not sure if he does, but I know he’s quite fond of basketball. He was on his high school team for a while, but I believe his mother’s work situation prevented him from regularly attending practices and games. He, unfortunately, had to quit the team.”

“Man, that’s too bad. I take it she’s a single parent?”

“Hence why you’re here,” she quickly replies. “Many of the parents work long hours trying to provide for their children. With no other adult in the home, many of these kids spend a great deal of time alone or in the company of wayward friends. It’ll be wonderful for Gavin to have a male role model he can look up to.”

Gavin. I like that name. I can do basketball. This won’t be so bad.I realize as we round a corner, she’s pushing open a door to the outside. Just to the rear of the building is a makeshift basketball court. Beneath the hoop, a lanky, dark-haired teen stands about five foot seven.

“Gavin, this is Dr. Barnes. He’s going to be your ‘big brother.’ If the two of you would like to get to know each other for a while, I’ll send your mom back to collect you in about thirty minutes.” Turning in my direction, she continues, “We’re happy to assist you in planning get-togethers in the future, or you can work that out directly with Gavin’s mom, Ms. McReedy.” I watch the attractive woman smile at me briefly before she turns toward the building. I train my gaze on the young man, noting a questioning look.

“Hi, Gavin. I’m Nick,” I say, reaching out my hand. I watch as he looks down at it and quickly spins away to shoot the basketball toward the hoop. Trying to rein in my irritation at his poor manners, I watch as the tattered ball easily swooshes through the net. “Nice,” I clap. I remain standing motionless as he sinks ball after ball through the net effortlessly, never turning to make eye contact or pat himself on the back. Initially perturbed at his disrespect, I quickly change gears. How would I have felt at his age to have a gift and no one to support me in achieving it? My incredible parents provided one opportunity after another to find what interested me. They were always there, helping me to reach my goals. I never doubted I was the center of their universe. Yet Gavin has obvious talent but was forced to drop out because he lacked the help he needed. “Hey, I’m not nearly as good as you are but, throw me the ball.” I challenge.

I’ve barely finished the sentence before the ball is hurled at me with some force.Hmm, angry teen. I get it.I take a shot and thankfully make it. I don’t need to give this kid another reason to dislike me. However, I think nothing short of LeBron James offering to be his ‘big brother’ would soften this kid up.

He gathers the ball and takes another shot. This might be the longest thirty minutes of my life.

“So, what’d you do?” I hear him ask, still facing away from me, sending the ball in repeated trips through the net.

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