Chapter 34
Matt
Madi couldn’t hide behind her brave face. Not from me. That’s why I didn’t ask what she wanted for lunch. She already had too much on her plate and I didn’t want to add to it.
It’s all my fault.
If I’d stayed on the porch, I could’ve run interference and kept Paul away from Madi.
I wasn’t sure how I would’ve done it without making a scene, but the Navy taught me how to solve a problem within the given framework.
When Alice told me Paul was with Madi, I saw red; but Alice talked me down and explained what Madi needed from me.
Needed because I’d chosen the worst possible time to take a piss, leaving them in a vulnerable position.
After ordering our lunches, I said, “The woman with Paul.” I didn’t let on that Alice let it slip that she was Paul’s sister. That alone revealed how much Paul’s presence flustered her.
“Something about her seems familiar.” I still couldn’t put my finger on it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen her before.
“Today’s the first time I’ve met her,” Madi answered.
“I know you want to help, but you should have Alice flag her name, so she only sees Dr. Greenfield.” Just like they’d done with Paul.
Not that it stopped him.
After lunch, I drained my bladder before Alice let the first patient in.
No one will slip by me again.
The rest of the day was boring. The kind of quiet boring every bodyguard wanted to report at the end of his shift. Too bad I’d have to tell Madi’s brothers about Paul’s visit.
They’ll likely rip my head off.
I deserved it. I should’ve waited until lunch to take a piss. The discomfort would’ve been worth it.
“Matt, stop beating yourself up,” Madi said as I drove her home.
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re trying to kill your steering wheel.” She pointed at my white knuckles.
It was so Madi to worry about me, when I should be worried about her.
She was the one who’d been harassed.
I was the one who’d left her without protection.
“There was nothing you could have done.”
Wasn’t there?
“Before you argue, let’s talk it out. You can’t prevent a scheduled patient from coming in. Not without causing a scene and damaging the clinic’s reputation.”
I hated that truth.
“You couldn’t accuse Paul because we don’t have any evidence.”
We had circumstantial evidence.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you want to argue. You know I’m right.”
“Maybe, but I don’t like that he slipped by me.”
“He didn’t slip by you.”—her air quotes were entirely unnecessary—“You were in the bathroom.”
Waiting for the restroom to be vacant cost me time, but that wasn’t an acceptable excuse.
“And last but not least, I’m fine. The shock has worn off, and I’ll make sure Alice adds Pa- her to the list of patients who only see Dr. Greenfield.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I promise.”
Her hand on my arm did more to soothe my anxiety than her words.
“You know I have to tell your brothers.”
Madi sighed. “I know.” She looked out the window. “You already know who she is, don’t you?”
To save Alice’s job, I lied, “Don’t tell Alice, but I distracted her so I could look at the schedule book.” Thank you Dr. Greenfield for the redundancy of having a physical appointment book.
“Liar. But for Alice’s benefit, I’ll accept it.”
Jamie’s driveway was full, so I parked on the street.
“Jamie has plenty of help so you can go home,” Madi said before I could ask if I should stay.
Part of me wanted to argue that they’d benefit from the overnight help. Part of me wanted to avoid her family’s withering glares all night.
All of me wanted to be with Madi, but not if she didn’t agree.
“Okay, but call me if you need anything.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“Madi, promise me.”
“I promise.”
Much to her displeasure, I insisted on walking her to the door. I couldn’t leave without talking to Jay.
Not wanting to disrespect Madi’s wishes or add to Jamie’s stress, I asked, “Can you ask Jay to come out so I can talk to him?”
Madi sighed before nodding.
“Good night, Matt.” She put the key in the lock. “Don’t let Jay give you any shit.”
I had every intention of letting Jay give me as much shit as he deemed necessary, knowing it wouldn’t be nearly as much as I deserved.
“I won’t. Good night, Madi.”
Out of habit, I scanned the street while I waited for Jay.
I didn’t bother turning around when the door opened.
“What’s up?” Jay asked.
“Something happened today,” I said, turning to face the music.
From not one, but three of my bosses. John and Jamie had accompanied Jay.
I nodded my acknowledgement.
“What happened?” John sounded less worried than I would’ve expected.
Jay and Jamie crossed their arms and tapped their feet while they waited for my answer.
“Paul showed up at the clinic today.”
Three sets of shoulders tensed.
“The appointment was booked under Pamela Jesker, so Alice didn’t realize it was Paul’s sister when she scheduled the appointment with Madi.”
“How the hell did he get by you?” Jay asked.
“I was in the head.”
Thanks to some fast thinking from Alice, Paul and his sister were in an exam room before I finished my business. I considered myself a man in control, but I wasn’t confident I wouldn’t have marched Paul’s ass out of the office.
“Alice told me what happened. I stayed inside so I’d be there when the appointment ended.”
“And?” Jamie asked.
“Paul hit on Madi, but I was there to remind him she was spoken for.”
“Is she okay?” John asked.
“A little shaken, but she powered through it like a champ.”
Three identical grins appeared on three very different faces.
“I take it from this porch meeting that you’re not camping on my couch tonight?”
“No, Madi thinks I should go home.”
“Will you?” Jamie asked.
I looked toward my truck. It wouldn’t be the worst place I’d slept.
“I haven’t decided.”
“You should go home. Madi’ll have our heads if she thinks we told you to camp out here,” John said.
“Nathan, Dad, Cate, and I will be here until they go to bed,” Jay added.
Knowing they’d protect her at all costs made me feel better about leaving Madi.
And I could use a good night’s sleep.
“Call me if you need anything.”
Jay laughed. “If I get spit up on again, I just may take you up on that.”
“Go home and get some rest,” John ordered.