Page 11 of The Interception
“Thanks. I tried to tell Ender I’m fine, but he didn’t listen,” I admit.
Dr. Anderson grins. “They might be big guys, but they cry like babies when they get plowed down hard enough. He probably didn’t believe you.”
I laugh again. “I grew up with a brother and loads of male cousins. I can take a hit. Thanks again.”
“No problem. Hey, if you want, I can put some glue on that shoe for you. It won’t hold forever, but it’ll last you for today.” He offers to take my broken heel but doesn’t leave me much room to refuse. He’s already reached for a tube of superglue, so I release my shoe. Dr. Anderson gives it a good layer, then holds the heel to the bottom for a few seconds. “Here you go. Maybe let it dry a bit longer, then it should be good to go. Now, let’s get you down to the kitchen so you two can cook up something phenomenal. Our champ could use something to lift his spirits.”
He turns off the lights and shuts the door behind us. “What do you mean?” I ask.
“He didn’t tell you?” Dr. Anderson locks the door and motions down the hall.
“Tell me what?” I clutch my purse a little tighter and prepare to be shocked by something, who knows what, the doctor might reveal to me.
“Ah, well, it’s not really my place to talk about it, I guess. I’m sorry I brought it up. I’m sure you two are going to win, and it’ll be a real pick-me-up for him.”
I want to pry more, but he’s off on other topics now, primarily football and how he got his job working for the Timberwolves, but my mind is stuck on what he said. What’s going on with Ender, and could it be the source of his rude behavior when he first shot me down?
I’m so lost in my thoughts, we arrive at the kitchen before I realize.
“Here we go. State of the art, probably everything a chef could need.” He flips on the lights to illuminate a massive kitchen with multiple stoves, grills, and tables. Not only does it have ample space, but more gadgets and gizmos than even some of the pro restaurants I spent time in during college.
“Wow, this will take some getting used to,” I admit and wander around.
“I trust I can leave you alone and you won’t break anything?” Dr. Anderson asks as he leans on the entry. A smirk tugs on his lips and it hits me…he’s flirting with me. Uh…no. He’s handsome, seems nice enough, and Ender seems to trust him, but I am not even thinking about dating right now.
“Yeah, I think I can manage. I’m just going to explore until Ender shows up. I’m sure you have appointments and things, so I don’t want to keep you.”
He pushes off the entry and smiles. “Oh, no I’m free for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe I can hang around and after—”
“Oh, one sec.” I pull my phone from my pocket and pretend I have a call. “Sorry, I need to take this. Thanks again for checking me out, Dr. Anderson.” I press my screen and pull up my brother’s number. He’ll know what to do. I dial and hold my phone to my face. The second he answers, I dive right in. “Hi, Andrew! I’m so glad you called. Yeah, I’m doing great!”
He chuckles. “Who is it this time? Don’t tell me that football player is already hitting on you?”
“Oh, no. Everything is great. Just killing some time while I wait for him to meet me in this amazing kitchen.” I wave to the doctor and turn around, doing my best to give him a way out without me having to decline what I can only assume was an incoming date invitation.
“Okay, then who is it? Do I need to come down there and have a talk with some sleazebag judge?”
I look over my shoulder and find Dr. Anderson has left. Breathing a sigh of relief, I shake my head. He can’t see me so I say, “No, it was a doctor here at the stadium. One of the guys on the team accidentally plowed into me, and Ender insisted I get checked out.”
“Are you okay?” Andrew’s tone immediately shifts into protective older brother mode.
I slip my shoes on and check them for stability. They’ll do for now. “Yeah, totally fine. I’m pretty sure the doctor was about to ask me out, so, you know. The usual date avoidance tactic seemed appropriate.”
Andrew chuckles. “Okay, well if the threat has passed, I gotta go pick Lottie up. We’re taking a ride up to Myrtle Beach for a few days before school starts back.”
“Sounds wonderful. Enjoy your romantic trip and give Lottie my love.”
“Will do, but don’t think we won’t come down there if we need to. If any of those guys give you any trouble, I’ll be on the phone with Quade Dawson in a second.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t have to call the team owner to defend my honor. So far, everything is fine. Just pray for us. We’re up against some steep competition. Anyway, go get your wife. I need to focus.”
“Love you, Layne.”
“Love you too, super awesome life saver big brother.”
He laughs before hanging up and I check the time. Hopefully, Ender will be back from practice or showers or whatever he’s doing soon. To occupy myself, I decide to go through some of the drawers and figure out where things are, maybe set up what I know we’ll need while he’s busy.
And maybe pray the doctor got the hint, because with so much on the line, I cannot afford to be distracted by anyone, least of all the team doctor.
