Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
G raham
I was summoned to Dr. Kind’s office. Shit. When I walked in, I saw Nathan sitting in the chair across from Christian’s desk. This was a fucking ambush, and I wouldn’t stand for it.
“Have a seat, Dr. Malone,” Christian said.
“Graham.” Nathan nodded.
“Hey, Nathan. What’s this about?” I looked at Christian.
“I saw you and Ella on the rooftop earlier. Things didn’t look good between the two of you.”
“We’re not seeing each other anymore.”
“Why not?” Nathan asked.
“Things just didn’t work out.”
“I can always spot a bullshitter, Graham,” Christian said. “Consider this an intervention. Ella told me about the Prasozin.”
“Of course she did.” I sighed.
“Here’s the thing,” Nathan said. “When you date a Kind, you date all of us.”
“Does what happened between Ella and me affect my job here, Christian?”
“If you’re asking if I’d remove you from the program, no. You’re a damn good doctor and skilled surgeon. You want to help kids, and to me, that’s being a hero. You’re a good guy, Graham. But I know there are demons inside you’re battling.”
“I know firsthand about those demons,” Nathan said. “We all do.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shifted in my seat.
“Yeah, you do,” Christian said. “You lied to Ella about never living in California. What happened here to make you do that?”
“My parents died here. I was in a bad accident here. I explained all this to Ella last night. Being back here stirred up things—things I tried so hard over the years to forget.”
“Have you been in therapy over the years to help you deal with your parent’s death?” Nathan asked.
“I was for a while.” I looked down.
“Charlotte can help you,” Christian said. “We’ve all been to her office and talked about things we never wanted to discuss. She’s an excellent doctor.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, Graham. You’re not,” Nathan said. “Once you get Ella involved in something, she doesn’t give up unless she’s deeply hurt.”
“Well, she did. She uninvited me to Riley’s wedding, and I took it as a sign that things were over. So, I told her it was best that we didn’t see each other anymore.”
“Is that what you really want?” Nathan asked.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I sighed. “I’m not used to this.”
“Not used to what?” Christian asked.
“This whole family thing. I lost my parents at a young age and was sent to New York to live with my aunt. It was just her, my uncle, and me. They both worked long hours, and I spent a lot of time alone. I don’t understand why you two need to get involved.”
“Well.” Christian sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It’s what we Kinds do.”
“Especially if we see something going wrong when we know it should be right,” Nathan said.
“We care, Dr. Malone,” Christian said.
“If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be having this talk with you,” Nathan said.
“Did you do this with her ex?” I asked.
“We didn’t give that loser a chance,” Christian said. “I kicked his ass right out of this hospital.”
“We never liked him from day one,” Nathan spoke. “But we like you and know you’re hiding something about your past from Ella. You don’t have to tell us. But if you want to be with her, you have to talk to her. Life is hard enough, Graham. Keeping something locked up inside you only makes life that much harder.”
“I know I have issues, and yes, I do have PTSD. My doctor back in New York diagnosed me. But I can’t talk about it. I promised my aunt—just forget it. Are we finished here?”
“Yeah. Go on,” Christian said.
I stood up from my chair and headed toward the door.
“You want to know something about PTSD? Try being kidnapped as a baby and finding out you have a twin brother and another brother in the world. Now, there’s some serious PTSD. I would never have gotten through it without my wife and family.”
I lowered my head for a second and then left his office. Dr. Ashley stopped me when I stepped off the elevator to the peds unit.
“What did Dr. Kind want to see you for?” she asked.
“He was just asking me about my surgery with Dr. Kind. He wanted to tell me that I’m a very skilled surgeon.”
“Well, he’s right. He’s a great man and doctor. You should feel honored.” She placed her hand on my shoulder.
Once my shift ended, I went home, poured a scotch, and took it out on the terrace. As I stared at the city, I thought about Ella. I hurt her, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought about Christian and Nathan and how they stepped in. Fuck. It was none of their business. But I respected them for trying to help. The demons they spoke of—their own. Nathan was right. Life is much harder living the lie I’ve been since my father died. Fuck it. I grabbed my keys, climbed into my Jeep, and headed to Ella’s.
When I pulled into the driveway and walked to the door, I heard music and laughter coming from the beach and saw the roaring bonfire. I returned to my Jeep, grabbed the door handle, and stopped. No. I had to do this.
“Graham?” I heard Ella’s voice.
Turning around, she was heading toward me with Lily.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “Lily, I’ll see you down at the beach.”
“Okay. Hey, Graham.”
“Hey, Lily.”
“I have no idea why you’re here, and I don’t care. Leave.”
“I need a favor.”
“Oh, really?” Her lips pursed as she folded her arms.
“I know this isn’t right, but I need to see Charlotte.”
“For what?” She cocked her head.
“I need to talk to her.”
“Then call her office and make an appointment.” She began to walk away.
“Ella, please. I’m done with this bullshit. You’re too important to me, and I need to talk to Charlotte.”
She stopped and looked at me.
“Please,” I begged. “I’m asking for help.”
“Okay. I’ll take you to her house.”
We entered through the front door.
“Hey, you two.” Charlotte smiled.
“Graham needs to talk to you, Aunt Charlotte,” Ella said.
Charlotte stared at me momentarily and saw the desperation all over my face.
“Okay. Let’s go up to my office. Have a seat,” she said, closing the door. “What’s going on, Graham?”
I told her everything about my father, aunt, and my PTSD. It felt good to release all of it after so many years.
“You took the first step in getting help.” She smiled.
“I kind of had a little push from Christian and Nathan.”
“Well, it’s what we Kinds do.” A smirk crossed her lips. “I can help you, but it will take some work on your part. I want to see you three days a week to start. I know it’ll be tough with your hectic schedule at the hospital, but I’m willing to see you here at my home after your shifts.”
“Here?” I asked.
“If you’re worried about the family, don’t be. There isn’t a single person who hasn’t sat in that chair for therapy. We’re all here for you, Graham. But, if you want a relationship with Ella, you must tell her the truth. That’s not an option.”
“I do want a relationship with her, and I will tell her.”
“Okay. I think we’re good for tonight.”
“Thank you, Charlotte. You have no idea how much I appreciate all your help.”
“You’re welcome, Dr. Malone. I’m sure Ella is down at the bonfire.”
“Thanks.”
I went out the sliding door and down to the beach. Christian and Nathan both stared at me as I walked up.
“Ella, can I talk to you?”
“Yeah.” She stood from her seat.
We walked back to her house. Thanks to Charlotte, I wasn’t afraid to talk about what had happened anymore—to put an end to the lies I’d been living.
“How was your talk with Charlotte?” she asked.
“It was good. She’s a great doctor.”
“She’s the best. Can I get you a beer or a glass of scotch?”
“Scotch is good. Thanks.”