Page 70 of Ice
“We’ve got one at the clubhouse. He might be able to give me something.”
And that was all it took for me to suggest that we arrange to return to his clubhouse, for at least the day and night, assuming that Reacher would even allow me in.
It took less than an hour for us to gather up some of my things, and for a knock on the door. I let Has-Been in for a minute, to start picking up my things, while Ice was in the bathroom again.
“He okay?”
I shook my head, my hands twisting together in agitation.
“Withdrawal. He’s suffering.”
He cursed. “Doc’ll fix him up, don’t worry. I’ll go load your bags. Tell him to take his time.” He was so nice. I was determined to get to the bottom of their rivalry, because they seemed like they really should get on better.
“You’re a good man, Has-Been.”
He shrugged, his cheeks colouring slightly.
“It’s family, innit.”
Ice returned while he was outside, walking slowly and looking pale and clammy.
“Sorry about this, babe.”
He glanced around for my bags, and I nodded at the door.
“He’s loading them now. Let me get you some water before we go.”
He shook his head. “I’d rather just get there. I feel kinda shit right now, and you know he’s gonna be all ‘it’s your own fault’ and ‘suck it up, buttercup’.”
I hoped his doctor was a little less self-righteous, and uncaring than all that.
“Surely not.”
Twentyminuteslater,heproved Ice right, and that protective side of me returned with a vengeance.
“Hey, don’t lecture him like that!”
The club doc smirked. “Feisty one, your lady. Hey… are you the therapist who got banned from the club?” My cheeks burned with shame. Yikes.
Everyone knew what a disaster I was, and that I’d deserved to get fired. Who the hell did I think I was, trying to help other people with their lives, when mine was completely destroyed?
Thirty-Three
Icouldn’tbearthelookon her face. He’d made her ashamed, and she had nothing to be ashamed of, not a damn thing.
“Shut the fuck up, Doc, before I bury my fist in your face.”
They both looked at me, pure shock on my lady’s face, and it took me a moment to figure out why. Hell… this was getting confusing.
“Him, babe, not you. Obviously. He’s Doc, but you’re Lissa to me now, anyway.”
She swallowed, her shoulders bunched up and tense.
“He’s right, Ice. I’m not fit to counsel others, I mean, look what I did. I’m a hypocrite.”
“You fucking stop that right now. Doc, apologise to her, before I really lose my shit.”
He shrugged. “Sorry, lady. I was only asking because I believe Reacher’s on his way back from wherever he was when you sneaked her in, that’s all.”
