Page 35 of Lost on Ice
It’s awkward as hell. Obviously, I’m grateful they’re letting me stay… but still. Super awkward.
Laying back on my bed, I tuck my hand behind my head and gaze up at the ceiling. My thoughts wander toward Abbie, unsurprising, since she’s about all I can think about lately. I have so many questions about her and her life and her daughter. Sophie’s being tight-lipped and not giving me anything to work with, and she also isn’t telling Carter enough details about Abbie’s life to help me piece together some of the answers I’m looking for.
Namely who the father of her child is.
After meeting Lilah two days ago, I can’t help but wonder if she is mine after all. Those blue eyes… it’s hard to deny that they look a lot like mine.
Why am I not freaking out more though? Is it because Lilah is adorable, bubbly, and charming, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to be her father? Or is it because she’s Abbie’s kid, and deep down, I can admit I still want her?
Damn it, this is driving me crazy. I need to talk to Abbie.
She’s working right now. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to hunt her down and just ask her. In fact, everyone is working right now. Carter is at the rinks, Sophie’s gone, and Chase is at his daycare.
Carter invited me to join him at the rinks, but I turned him down. I’m so fucking exhausted. I didn’t get back from my game until late last night, and I’m really wondering why I’m doing this to myself. The commute between here and Boston is killing me, and here I am crashing in my friend’s guest room when I have a whole damn penthouse in the city!
Releasing a long breath, I scrub a hand down my face and remind myself why this situation is worth it. I get to help out Carter and give him some company outside of his family and job—plus, helping out the kids, like Jordan and his friends, is pretty rewarding. Yeah, I haven’t done a ton of work with them yet, but I will. They’re excited to have me around too.
Maybe I initially came back because I was curious about Abbie, but that’s far from the only reason I’m still here. There are so many advantages for me here. So many advantages of staying in a smaller town with a tight-knit community that I can have a positive impact on.
I’m not just here for Abbie. I’m not.
No way.
Suddenly, my phone dings. I move to grab it from where it’s resting on the end table. It’s a text reminding me of my yearly physical with my doctor… Doctor Wixx.
Abbie’s uncle.
He’s been my doctor since I was a kid, and I never felt the need to change to someone else because he knows everything that’s ever happened to me health-wise.
A smile curls my lips because now I have the perfect excuse to see Abbie without looking like a desperate idiot.
I manage to get an appointment with the doctor the following day—another perk of small-town living. I haven’t seen Abbie yet since she’s out to lunch when I arrive, which is a bit disappointing, but I make sure to keep that to myself. Sitting on the table in the exam room, I wait for Dr. Wixx to come in. I’m one hundred percent planning on fishing for information from him, especially if Abbie isn’t with him.
Suddenly, the door swings open and my heart jumps in my throat. I half expect Abbie to walk into the room and am surprised when a youngish man with glasses and a hooked nose enters instead.
“Mr. Jake Ashford?” the guy says, looking up from a tablet in his hand to smile politely at me.
“Uhhh, yeah. That’s me. Who are you?”
“I’m Dr. Westbrook.” He extends his hand toward me. “I’m new.”
I hesitantly shake his hand, still baffled as to why he’s here. “I was expecting Dr. Wixx.”
“Oh, yes, well, Dr. Wixx is in the process of retiring due to his health,” Westbrook explains with a mild chuckle. “I’m his replacement, really, so I’m taking over his patient list.”
Huh… well, that’s a bit disappointing. Nothing against this guy, I’m sure he’s good at his job, but I was really looking forward to seeing Dr. Wixx. I guess he’s a lot sicker than I thought. How bad is it? I haven’t been around enough to know the details.
Fuck, is Abbie okay? She must be so worried about her uncle on top of everything else she’s going through, moving back, taking over the clinic, and raising Lilah.
“I knew they were bringing on a new doctor, but I didn’t realize you would be replacing Dr. Wixx entirely.” I also didn’t expect them to hire a kind of young, nerdy but not terrible looking guy to work with Abbie. Is this the doctor Sophie was asking Abbie about at the rink? Shit, that means they’re around each other day-in and day-out.
He better keep things professional if he knows what’s good for him.
Dr. Westbrook pushes his glasses up his nose. “It’s unfortunate that such a skilled doctor who’s still fairly young is retiring like he is, but he’s got to put his health and well-being first, you know?”
“Right, of course.” Now I feel awkward and shitty. “So, uh, I guess that means you’ve met Abbie…obviously. I hope you two work well together.”
I’ll kick your ass if you give her a hard time.
