Page 8 of Torch
Lissa smiled gently. “We all have types we go for, Grace, and sometimes they’re not always the best people for us. Some women fall into the same trap over and over, say with controlling, manipulative men, and some fight their type, knowing it’s not good for them. It doesn’t mean there isn’t a ‘bad boy’ out there who isn’t good for you.”
I snorted, reaching for my glass of water.
“You’re just saying that because you’re in a relationship with a biker.”
Lissa giggled, waving a hand in the air.
“Honestly, Ice is so not my usual type, but something about him drew me in. Maybe that’s all you need. The right man to catch you by surprise. So tell me about this man you’re trying to avoid. He works at the hospital with you?”
I almost lied and said yes, because the last thing I wanted to admit was that it was a certain biker from the same club as Lissa’s biker man, right? She was so open and sweet though, that I just couldn’t lie.
“No, but he’s someone I crossed paths with because of my job.”
“A patient, then?”
I looked away, suddenly realising how bad that would sound to another medical professional. She’d judge me for wanting someone I was treating, and she absolutely should. It was so wrong of me. It breached so many moral boundaries, and ethical guidelines, didn’t it?
“Let me tell you how I met Ice, and maybe that’ll help you feel you can talk about this. I was the therapist assigned to him for his rehab.” What the… maybe she wouldn’t judge me after all.
“Okay, I didn’t see that coming, but maybe I should have. Bikers are all bad boys, right? Probably all into drinking and drugs and crime.”
Lissa sighed, shaking her head slowly.
“It’s really not like that. Some MCs really are full of criminals, but Phoenix MC isnotone of them. Are there bad seeds among the club, most definitely, unfortunately, but does that mean that they’re all bad guys? No way. Reacher and Stitch have been working so hard to clean the club up, after it was exactly the wrong kind of club way back when. I don’t mean to digress, but I’m just saying a generalisation like that is harmful to everything they’re trying to do for their club.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right, that was arrogant of me. I just… I guess I’ve heard bad things in the past, but I shouldn’t have made an assumption like that.”
Lissa lifted a hand, smiling at me at the same time.
“It’s okay, I didn’t mean to get all feisty on you like that. I feel very protective of the club, but we’re here to talk about your situation, and not the club.” If only she knew how wrong she was.
“I think we’re out of time?” I pointed at the clock and Lissa sighed, rolling her eyes.
“Damn, just as we’re getting to the nitty gritty too! You’ll come back, right? You seem lighter just since you started talking to me, and I want to help you build on that feeling, and help you find some peace of mind.”
I nodded as we stood up and headed for the door, with Lissa suggesting the same time tomorrow as she opened the door. As our eyes took in the waiting room, and the one biker waiting with the receptionist, I realised that the universe had a really messed up idea about helping me with my problem. It was Danny North, aka Torch, and he recognised me instantly, of course.
Five
Ofallthepeopleto come out of that room, it was the fucking doc. The one who ghosted me the second she could wash her hands of me. Just for once in my life, I’d love to come first for someone, anyone. Was it any wonder that I got into all kinds of shit, when nobody ever saw me as a priority for them?
“Hey, Lissa, Cammy said you might have some time for me? Hey doc, surprised to see you here, but then you probably never expected to bump into me, right?”
Lissa’s eyes darted from me to the doc and back, like someone just switched on a fucking light in her brain. What the hell had they been talking about in there? I had a feeling I’d been mentioned, whether it was by name or not.
“Yeah, of course, Torch, I’m free right now. So, tomorrow, Grace? I think we’ll have plenty to talk about tomorrow.”
Lissa winked at her, and I watched the doc tense even further. I mean, the second she’d spotted me, she’d frozen like a fucking statue, but suddenly she was even more rigid, like I was the biggest horror she’d ever seen.
“I…” She stared at me for a moment, looking like she wanted to say more, but then she glanced helplessly at Lissa, and hurried out of the door like her ass was on fire. I knew I could make her feel like she was on fire, but she’d need to get her head out of her ass first. Why was I so fixated on her ass all of a sudden?
“Let’s go and get started, Torch.” I followed Lissa like I was some pathetic puppy following his mistress, and the thought of the word mistress took me right back to the hospital, offering to fucking lay down and submit to Grace, like some kind of pussy. Micro was right. What the fuck was I thinking?
“Take a seat,” Lissa said, as she closed the door, and leaned over to remove the half empty glass of water from in front of my seat. I had this sudden urge to fight to keep it, because the doc’s lips had touched it, right? There was the faintest trace of pink lipstick on it, and I wanted it on my lips, but because I’d kissed her fucking soul out of her.
“Let me just get you a fresh glass, Torch,” Lissa said, spiriting it away and bringing back an empty one. I let her pour water into it and slide it across to me, then she sat opposite me, and all I wanted to ask was what the doc had talked to her about, and was it me?
“I uh… I don’t really know where to start. I guess, uh… I didn’t expect to see the doc here.”
