Chapter 9 #2
Down and up again. Her body glides to the beat while those thick fucking thighs drop in rhythm with the song. Oh, I am shit out of luck. Noticing Juniper in her office or at a game is something I can handle, respectfully acknowledge how incredible she looks, and walk away.
But breathing in this sight of her, I become a prisoner to myself. Shackle me tighter, warden, because I’ve got no willpower to stop.
“Goddamn,” Jethro stammers from beside me, Mack joining in not long after. “What they got in that Nashville water?”
“How about you go there yourself and find out?” I deadpan, not at all ashamed of giving my two cents. “They make red-eyes for a reason.”
“Psh.” Jethro scrunches his face in disbelief. “Not like you weren’t just looking, brother.”
“Yeah, come on, Briggs. We’re just fucking around,” Mack says. “We won, and the ladies are just having some fun. Not like we’re watching someone else’s wife.”
He’s right. I know this. Yet, I didn’t consider that before speaking out. Something about knowing they could be watching Juniper in a way that is other than casual puts me on edge.
Reason number one hundred and two why I shouldn’t be here.
I can’t even look at Penelope, and honestly, I’m surprised the other guys are, given she’s Bodhi’s little sister. He’s made it clear how off-limits she is. I’d never betray that trust.
The halfway point of the song nears, and the girls make their way to the end of each side, both reaching for the button of their skirts. No. Nope. There’s no way in hell their strip dance can go this far. I won’t survive it. And neither will Jethro, Mack, and King because they’ll all be dead.
“Okay, ladies! Now we’re gettin’ somewhere,” Jethro sings, and fuck, I knew I hated him for a reason.
“Stand down, benchwarmer,” Juniper calls out to him, a big smile on her face. At least she noticed from the game that he’s fucking useless on the field. I still don’t have a clue why Coach hasn’t made him a free agent yet.
Just before Juniper has a chance to remove her skirt, I intervene, “Cut it off.”
“What was that, Briggsby?” King yells over the music, hand finding his ear.
I stand at attention and walk toward him. “Cut the music. We’re done.”
King gives me a once-over and chuckles under his breath, but he doesn’t argue.
He knows that for me to speak up, it’s with good reason.
Not sure if my reason is actually with good intentions this time, but it’s too late to analyze it.
His lips meet the microphone, and the music abruptly stops.
“You heard the guy. Shows over, ladies. And by all means, holler at your boy if you need some assistance dressing back.”
Dick.
I shove his shoulder, earning myself one of the legendary Kingston Baylor smiles. I point my finger at him, walking back to my seat and securing my things. “We’re getting too old for this, King.”
I occupy myself with mindless tasks, putting chairs and tables back in place while the girls re-dress and get down from the bar. I feel Juniper’s presence behind me before I turn. Partially why I stand with my back to her, too ashamed to be questioned for my outburst.
“I don’t need saving, you know.”
The bingo card in my hand begs me to look.
I haven’t yet, not wanting to interfere, but there’s also a part of me that feels protective of Juniper.
Maybe it’s because she’s my daughter’s doctor, or because she’s new to town and I want to make sure she feels welcome.
Or…maybe it’s for something entirely different that I don’t have the answer to just yet.
“I know,” I tell her honestly. “I was just trying to help.”
She’s silent for a moment, and neither of us attempts to move. “I’m sorry if my coming here made things weird. I really hoped the coincidence wouldn’t be true. I don’t have any friends other than Valentina, and I thought it would be a good—”
“Don’t. Don’t do that. Don’t apologize for having a good time and making friends.” Now, I’m facing her, and I know she spots the bingo card in my hands, but I make no effort to hide it. “Tenley is one of the best women I know. She’s a great friend to have.”
Juniper nods slowly. “I can tell. Anyway, I promise this will be the last time you see my tits.” She laughs, and goddamn it, it’s hard not to smile.
“What a shame.” Me. It’s me. I’m what’s shameful. “Almost saw your ass, too.”
Her brows shoot up, and I’ve officially made things awkward.
“Yeah, that too. Still, it won’t happen again when you’re around.
I promise. It’s important for me to stay professional with my patients’ families, and although having a life outside of work is critical for my sanity, I’ll keep it PG when you’re around. ”
Well, I sure as shit don’t like the sound of that. But what am I gonna say? No, that’s okay, Dr. Wilde, please get naked every time you see me? Drop your bra and panties and let me see you work it.
Not gonna happen.
I swallow hard. Being this close to her after seeing her practically bare on stage makes me question why I’m trying so hard to be good.
It’s not something I’m overly proud of, but I can have my fair share of women when I want them.
I’ve just got too much to lose over getting off or attempting something real with someone who doesn’t want kids—someone else’s kid to love, specifically. Been there, done that.
I need boundaries. I also need to see this season through, focus on the very little time I do have with Addie, spend more time at Boone, and plan out my retirement. Then, I’ll be ready to meet someone for real.
So, I agree with her because I have no other choice. “Probably for the best.”
Sensing our conversation is over, and there are tables to be moved, I spin quickly, but Juniper’s muffled voice stops me. “Aren’t you gonna read it?”
I cease my steps, my thumb absentmindedly cresting the edge of the card. “I was thinkin’ about it.”
Looking over my shoulder, I catch her nod. “Go for it. Makes sense you’d learn something about me, seeing as how I know something personal about you.”
Addie.
Without another thought, I flip the bingo card over and search out her missing square. I remember the pattern she worked toward and feel my voice catch in my throat as I take in the task she skipped.
Lap dance in a dark closet.
“Doc.”
Proving just how confident in herself she is, Juniper waves me off. “I don’t do tight spaces. Not now, not ever.”
“You shouldn’t do something you aren’t comfortable with.”
“And that’s exactly why I forfeited. I can dance on a bar any day of the week, but that…a simple victory isn’t worth it for me.”
I knew there was more to her than that. There’s no such thing as keeping your heart on your sleeve when your name is Juniper Wilde—that I can already tell. But I won’t lie and say it wasn’t shockingly sexy of her to call me out on my prying.
“Fair enough,” I tell her, glancing around the bar to see how much we have left to do. “Do you need anything? Food or something before we leave?”
“I could eat.” Juniper shrugs, and I already feel at ease. Thank god she has an appetite.
“Cool. We’ll grab something on the way back. Gus and Tenley are long gone, so it’s just you and me. Pick a place.”
“Shit. That’s right. You don’t have to do that,” she protests. “I can call a ride.”
“Absolutely not. I only had one beer, and I’ve never been more sober.
Trust me,” I say, hoping she doesn’t take much convincing.
I could never and would never just leave her here.
Making sure she makes it home safe is a priority.
“Here, take my keys, and you can wait in the car if you want. King and I can handle all this. Should only be another five minutes or so.”
We’ve been frequenting Joe’s Bar for years, and it’s nice to be trusted by him. Sabrina left to secure the back doors and kitchen area while King, Jethro, Mack, and I put everything back in order.
“Your car? But you didn’t drive here,” Juniper questions, and I realize how she must be confused.
“Right. Sorry. The Suburban is mine. Gus likes to drive it when he can to persuade Tenley he needs one. He’s convinced it earns him cool points.”
Her lips twitch. “You drive a Suburban?”
I tilt my head with plans to interrogate. “Yeah. Got a problem with that, Doc?”
She adjusts the glasses on the bridge of her nose, shaking her head in mockery. “None whatsoever. Just didn’t picture you as a mom-mobile kind of guy.”
My fist meets my chest, and I fake a heart attack. “I’m wounded,” I cry. “Bonnie the Burb is my pride and joy. It’s seen Addie and me through many playground falls and slushie dates.”
“That girl does love a good slushie, huh?” Juniper smiles wide before taking my keys.
“Sure does. Now, get out there. We’re rolling out of Joe’s in style, Dr. Wilde. Take notes. You’re in for the ride of your life.”
Her hand finds my shoulder, brushing past me in the direction of the exit. I’m hit with the smell of orange and vanilla. It’s warm yet has a sharp tang to the smell. Kind of like Juniper, I suppose.
“I look forward to rolling with you,” she teases. “Thank you, Crew.”
And just like that, I saved my overprotective ass from further humiliation and secured what I hope to be a pretty decent friendship.
Now, I do everything possible not to break my own rules.
Should be easy enough.