Page 5 of The Refiner

Kenny and I might have done a Google search after I told him about the betrayed Dr. Potter. The online stalking was just to ensure my sister was safe and not hugging a hot, doctor psycho.

“Well, K-Love, we’re not talking about you. We’re talking about Piper, and Piper would totally be his friend because she’s sensitive like that. Who else would dole out hugs to dick bags on the regular?”

“Maybe he isn’t a dick bag to her?” He waggles his brows ridiculously. “Maybe he asks her to call him Dr. Daddy in the evenings.”

I gag. “Stop. You’ve crossed the line with that comment. Under no circumstances would my sister ever call someone Daddy, especially Dr. Prick.”

Kenny must be going through a dry spell. FreakingDr. Daddy. I can’t even with that nonsense.

“I’m just saying, Piper has been really quiet these past few months. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were keeping a slutty little secret with icy blue eyes and an ass that makes your mouth water on the side.”

I changed my mind. Kenny can no longer be my bro-ho. “If you keep talking sweet about your fellow dong squad, you can’t celebrate with me.” I swing my arm around, encircling the front of my body. “This is a dong-free zone, remember?”

Kenny chuckles. “Fine. My dong appreciation is silenced until you give the word, my lady.”

Now, see? Why can’t the men at my office react the same way when I request a little penis detox? “Thank you. Now that gentleman over there seems to need a drink.” I point down the bar, where I’ve felt a stare beaming into the side of my head for the past fifteen minutes.

Granted, this is a bar, and Kenny is tending said bar until close, but we needed a few uninterrupted minutes to celebrate. “Thanks for your patience,” I tell the guy just as my phone buzzes on the bartop. “The service here is always super slack.”

I grin at the hand gesture Kenny flips me behind his back and answer my phone. I already know who it is by the sound of the machines beeping in the background.

“Keys? Can you hear me? It’s Piper.”

I can’t tell if the bar is too loud or if she thinks the hospital is too loud. Either way, it doesn’t deter me from messing with her.

“I’m sorry, who is this? Because if this is Patricia from the mailroom, I said I was sorry for stealing your yogurt. I’m poor, and the Lunchable I packed just wasn’t enough.”

My sister, Piper, sighs. “Don’t do this. I already apologized. I can’t help that I got called into work.”

No, she couldn’t, and I love her for it. Doesn’t mean I have to be happy about not seeing her on my big day.

“Do what? Remind you that I haven’t seen you in months?” Nothing like a few drinks to bring out the petty among sisters. “I’m starting to think you’re avoiding me because you let that one chin hair of yours grow into a full beard. It’s okay if you have. I told you, I won’t judge you. But men will. They like to say they want their women natural, but they only mean wearing organic makeup. As awesome as it sounds, No-shave November is not for us girls.”

A very, and highly unladylike snort comes across the line. “How drunk are you?”

“Not enough, but Kenny is working on it.”

Her laughter fades. “Promise me you’ll catch a ride home?”

I roll my eyes. There’s my responsible sister. “I plan to commandeer Kenny’s full-size bed.” However, he doesn’t know it yet.

“Good. Just don’t drive or go home with a stranger.”

“Or snort a line off Kenny’s eyebrow,” I tease.

She laughs. “Yes, that too.”

“Gotcha, no fun then.” Not that I would ever do drugs, but it makes my sister squirm just talking about it. Deep down, the girl has a heart of a mother. She might not have any children, but she has me, and she says that is enough for her.

“So, I thought I could still come up tomorrow when you get off work, since I couldn’t leave tonight.”

Something feels off. Piper has missed weekends and celebrations due to work, and sure, she tries making up for it, but not with an urgency in her voice. “What’s wrong? Do you need a kidney? Because you can totally have one, but just know they aren’t of the best quality anymore. You might be better posting an ad on social media.”

“Haha. Fortunately, I don’t need your haggard kidney, but thank you for the sweet offer.”

Sarcasm runs thick in the McKellan bloodline.

“Seriously, though, I still want to see you, and I have news!”

---