Page 20 of Hello Doctor

Maya giggled as I undid the sugar shaker and let her pour a stream of salt inside, spilling some over the edge. While she screwed on the cap, I swept the scattered salt under the cabinet, making a mental note to sweep it up on Monday.

Fighting back laughter, we crouch-ran back to my place and fell onto my bed, laughing.

Maya rolled her head to me, grinning wide. “Sleepovers are the best.”

I reached out, cupping her cheek. “I totally agree.”

12

Fletcher

I’d hung out with Rhett all of a few hours, and he’d already convinced me to go driving around back roads like we used to. Maybe it was because I’d been the responsible doctor dad for so long, I wanted to remember the part of myself that could have fun too.

And it was nice, flying down the dirt roads with the windows down, my best friend at my side. Not judging me based on how much money I made or how many hours I worked, but appreciating who I was.

“You know, this girl I’ve been talking to has a pretty cute friend,” Rhett said with a wink.

I held up my fingers in an X. “No way in hell.”

“Blonde... Curvy... Tits you just want to sink your face into.” He quickly shook his head back and forth.

God, my ears felt hot already. “The answer stands.”

“Why?” he asked, glancing over at me.

I shook my head, not wanting to admit how terrible my foray into dating had been after the divorce. “A few months after Regina left us, this nurse at the hospital asked me out.”

Rhett dropped his head back and readjusted his ball cap. “Nurses are so fuckin’ hot.”

“This one was,” I admitted with a smirk. “And we had some fun around the hospital, outside of the hospital, in the car on the way to the hospital...”

“Then what the hell are you doing here?” Rhett asked.

The memory of it felt fresh as the air outside. “After seeing each other for a couple months, I took her home to meet Maya...” I let out a sigh. “And it didn’t go so well.”

“With Maya? She’s an angel.”

“Just like you were an angel growing up,” I said. “More like hell on wheels.”

“What happened?”

I looked out the window, noticing the stars dotting the sky. I barely ever saw the stars in Dallas. “Maya finger-painted her white dress with spaghetti sauce, and Sherry, the nurse, told me she could keep seeing me, but she was never going to see Maya again.”

Rhett let out a low whistle. “So you broke it off.”

“I had to. How could I have a relationship with someone who doesn’t like the most important person in my life?”

“Yep.” He tapped the steering wheel with his fingers. “This is exactly why I always bag it before I tap it. Chicks be like ‘no Rhett, I’m on the pill, you don’t have to wear one.’ Fuck no.”

I chuckled as he continued talking.

“I figure between ninety-nine percent effectiveness of the pill and eighty percent effectiveness of a condom, there’s a hundred percent chance I won’t fuck up some kid’s life.”

“There’s that math again,” I teased.

He smiled slightly and tilted his head. “You’re a great dad, Fletch. I could never do what you do. And Maya’s a good kid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise just because she’s strong-willed.”

“Thanks, man,” I said. “I’m lucky as hell that Liv was looking for a job when she was.”

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