Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Colton
I’m leaving work on time. That alone should tell me everything I need to know.
My last patient’s exam goes smoothly. My notes are thoroughly marked in the charts. My desk is clear. No one needs me. There is absolutely no reason for me to stay, and yet my body fights it—restless, irritated, keyed too tight for a day that’s technically done.
Melissa doesn’t come by my office. I try to tell myself I don’t notice, but that’s another lie.
I take the elevator down alone, jaw clenched, replaying the way Owens looked at her. Not leering. Not inappropriate. It was worse. Like he was interested. Curious. Like she was a puzzle worth studying.
Like she was available.
My fingers curl around my keys as I step into the parking garage. The sound echoes too loudly. Everything feels too sharp, too present, like my nerves haven’t gotten the message that I’m off duty.
I drive without music. That’s how I know I’m spiraling.
By the time I pull up to Walker’s building, the skyline is lit in that clean, untouchable way money buys. I park, ride the private elevator up, and practice breathing like a man who has his shit together.
I get to the front door and knock. It opens directly into his penthouse.
“About time,” Walker greets. “You disappear for days and then show up looking like you want to punch a wall.”
“I’m fine,” I say automatically.
He snorts. “Sure you are.”
We walk through the foyer and into the kitchen, where he hands me a beer before I can ask for one. I take a long pull, welcoming the burn. He follows my lead and opens himself a bottle.
Before we get a chance to speak, a loud noise in the distance pulls our attention.
I turn my head to find Walker’s daughter, Eli, sitting on a blanket near the windows, dark curls sticking up at odd angles, hands pushed together as she smiles at a tumble of blocks in front of her.
His fiancée, Jessie, is lying next to Eli on the ground.
She smiles up at me. “Hi, Colton. Nice to see you.”
I nod my head. “Nice to see you, Jessie.”
Jessie is Walker’s sister’s best friend. After Walker had the surprise of his life when Eli was dropped off at his doorstep, Jessie stepped in to help. They have a history that kept them apart for years, but Eli seemed to be the gift sent to them to bring them together.
Eli smiles a big, toothy grin up at me as her face lights up with joy.
“Well,” Walker says, crouching to scoop her up, “someone’s in a mood.”
She laughs—a real laugh. No fear. No hesitation. Only joy. The part of me I keep buried cracks.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I murmur. “You’re getting big.”
She claps her hands together and then reaches her arms high into the air.
Walker and Jessie laugh together.
“She’s saying too big,” Walker clarifies for me.
My sister did that once. I straighten too fast, the memory sharp and unwelcome.
“Beer?” Walker asks, already knowing the answer.
“Already have one.”
“Good. You look like you need two.”
We move to the couch. He settles Eli back down on the floor.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“I said I’m fine.”
“Yeah,” he says. “And I said I don’t believe you.”
“Be nice,” Jessie warns.
Walker rolls his eyes. “I’m being honest. It’s what friends do.”
I take another drink, eyes fixed on the city beyond the glass.
“There’s this nurse,” I admit out loud.
“Ah,” Walker replies like he knows something. “Is that why you’ve been distracted lately?”
I ignore his question as I continue to replay how Owens looked at Melissa.
“A cardiologist came to our floor today.”
Jessie and Walker glance at each other like they know something.
“I don’t care,” I add immediately.
“Of course you don’t.”
“He noticed her,” I continue, ignoring him. “Asked for her input. Complimented her.”
Walker doesn’t say anything for a moment.
“You don’t get jealous,” he says finally.
“I’m not jealous.”
“You don’t,” he repeats. “You shut things down before they get that far.”
I laugh under my breath. “Guess I missed one.”
Silence stretches between us.
“She deserves options,” I say, not looking at him. “Someone uncomplicated. Someone who doesn’t—” I cut myself off.
“Someone who doesn’t what?”
“Someone who doesn’t come with rules,” I say. “Or baggage. Or a job that makes everything messy.”
Walker studies me. “You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself.”
I drain the rest of my beer. “I don’t do relationships.”
“You keep saying that like it’s a diagnosis.”
“It’s a fact.”
“Funny,” he says. “Facts don’t usually make people this angry.”
I look away.
Melissa’s laugh flashes through my head. The way she steadies patients with a touch. The way she looked at me in the hallway yesterday—hopeful. Careful. Like she was bracing for impact.
I flex my hand, half expecting to feel her there.
“Colton,” Walker says gently, “you don’t have to blow your life up to want something.”
I stand. “I should go.”
“Already?” he asks as he stands up with me.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I’m tired. Probably should catch up on some sleep while I’m off work on time.”
He doesn’t argue. His eyes follow me as I grab my coat and keys. I say good night to them and rush to the elevator. As the doors slide shut, they cut off the light, the warmth coming from his penthouse. A reminder of everything I don’t let myself have.
By the time I reach the street, my body is no closer to calming down. I need to go back to my penthouse and run off some of this steam. That’s the only way I’ll get any kind of rest tonight.
Maybe I can run off my feelings, too, because I’m getting to a point where the dam is going to break. I either need to build it higher and stronger or accept that the water is about to come crashing over.