Chapter 8 – Kirby
eight
Kirby
I walk through the doors of the hospital and look down at the two cups of coffee in my hands.
Each of them with a white bag that contains a muffin or a chocolate croissant.
I’m making my way to the elevator when I look to the side and see Lexi sitting by herself at a table in front of the coffee area.
She’s got her laptop in front of her and her head is down.
I should just go toward the elevator and ignore that I saw her.
I should do a lot of things when it comes to Lexi, but instead of doing what I should do, my feet make the decision for me.
Getting closer to the table, I see she’s wearing another pair of cream pants and a black shirt, but this one has big beige flowers on it.
She has high heels on her feet, finishing the outfit.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear jeans.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her not looking perfect.
“Hey,” I greet, once I get to the side of the table. Her head comes up and I see she has her earbuds in. She moves her hand to take an earbud out of her ear.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” she says.
“I just said hey,” I reply, moving to the seat in front of her and sitting down. “What are you doing here?” I look around seeing some of the tables taken.
“Cheryl had a meeting with Dr. Visabell about the next fundraiser. I should have just gone home, but we are meeting with the event planner in about an hour to go over the final plans.”
“How excited are you for the day after?” I ask her and she laughs.
“I might not get out of bed,” she states. “It’s been so nerve-wracking, I can barely eat.”
I don’t love hearing that, she’s already so small, so I place the coffee down in front of her with the white bag. “Why don’t you take a break?” I urge her. “Keep your strength up.”
“I couldn’t.” She shakes her head, looking at the bag.
“Come on,” I push, putting the other bag next to it, “I dare you to pick one and eat at least half.”
She glares at me, a little bit of fire coming back into her eyes. “Fine.” She opens one bag and then the other. “Chocolate chip or croissant.”
“I know decisions, decisions,” I tease, leaning back in the chair. “It’s win-win if you ask me.”
“Well, the muffin probably has less calories than the croissant,” she reasons and I shake my head.
“Lexi, you could eat both of them and still be okay,” I tell her as she smiles up at me and then chooses the croissant.
“There is one latte and the other one is just plain black.” I point to the two cups. “The one with the sleeve is the one that is just black.”
“Why do you have two coffees and two sweet treats?” she asks me, taking a bite of the croissant. I swear her eyes almost roll in the back of her head.
“Good?” I ask her and she nods her head. She looks like a kid who is given a treat after doing something good.
“I don’t even remember the last time I ate one”—she looks down and takes another bite—“but it should be more often.” She laughs and I have to wonder if she was this carefree before the prick fucked her up. “So why two sweet treats?”
“I usually bring it for—” I stop talking when she raises her hand and her eyes go big.
“You are dating someone who works here?” she asks and looks at the bite she took out of the croissant. “Oh my God, does she like this or the other?”
“I’m not dating anyone here,” I confirm to her. “They were both for me,” I lie to her. “I was undecided, so I thought, you know what, why not get both?” I look down at her laptop and motion with my head. “What are you working on?”
“I’m editing the video,” she answers, picking up the croissant. “I have to get it to the DJ.”
“How’s it turning out?” I ask her.
“Good. Some of the guys are funny, so I’m hoping that it gets a lot of interest.” She takes another bite. “What are you doing here?”
“I come and visit the kids twice a week,” I explain to her and her eyes go big.
“Twice a week,” she repeats before she reaches for the water in her purse and takes a sip. “That’s a big commitment.”
“Some of the kids have no other adults who visit but their parents or guardians. It’s good for everyone to get a break for a bit.” I shrug. “Plus, I’m doing a Lego set with one of them and I’m excited to finish it.”
“You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?” She takes a bite and looks like she’s about to laugh when she hears someone say her name.
She looks over and her face goes white. “I thought it was you,” the woman says, walking toward us. Lexi gets up from her seat as she greets the woman with a kiss on each cheek.
“Joyce,” she says her name softly, “this is a surprise.”
“I had an appointment,” she states, looking at her and then at me. “Were you two having coffee?”
“No,” Lexi quickly refutes, “he’s one of the bachelors for the auction.”
“Hi,” I say, reaching over to extend my hand, “I’m Kirby.”
She smiles at me and nods her head, extending her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Joyce Baron.”
“Ms. Baron,” I use her last name because she either wants me to or she thinks her last name means something to me. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to your”—she looks at the table—“meeting.” She nods at me before turning and walking away.
Lexi slinks back into the chair, all the light that had entered her eyes gone. “Everything okay?” I ask her, knowing it probably isn’t.
“No,” she declares, putting the rest of the croissant in the bag and crunching the top shut.
“What happened?” I ask her and she grabs the white case that holds her earbuds, putting them both in there before shutting her laptop.
“I have to go.” She grabs her laptop and places it in her bag.
“This is…” She shakes her head. “That was Joyce,” she fills me in, “Trent’s best friend’s wife.
” She gets up and grabs her bag. “She’ll probably tell Bernie I was having coffee with you.
” She looks up and exhales. “Thanks for the croissant.”
“You did nothing wrong.” I can’t help but say the words. “We were discussing the fundraiser, and I offered you something to eat.” I get up and grab the two bags and the cups of coffee. “Don’t let anyone spin it into something it isn’t.” Meaning don’t let your husband fuck with your head.
“I’ll see you at the fundraiser,” she says, putting the bag on her shoulder, turning, and walking away quickly with her head down.
I fight back the anger that escapes me as I walk toward the elevators, giving her a head start.
The last thing she is going to need is us getting in the elevator and having someone else see us together.
I turn and opt to take the stairs instead of the elevators, going to see my sister.
I walk into her office and she turns from her computer screen to look at me. “I love these visits,” she says, reaching out her hands to me. I hand her the latte and the two white bags. “You ate this and then gave it to me?” She tosses it to the side. “I’ll save it for the car ride home.”
I laugh as I sit down in the chair in front of her. “What do you know about a Dr. Yoder?” I ask her and she looks out her door and then back to me.
“How do you know him?” she asks me, and I see the worry on her face.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “Just did my physical this morning and all is good.”
She does a deep sigh. “Don’t fucking do that.”
“Do what?” I ask her.
“Start with how you know the top neurosurgeon in the world,” she hisses out, “instead of, I had my physical and I’m fine. But how do you know him?”
“Duly noted for next time to not start at the beginning.” I laugh.
“Thank you.” She takes the bottom of the muffin off and starts eating it. “Now, why do you want to know about Dr. Yoder?”
“Just wondering,” I reply and she gets up, walking over to her door and shutting it.
“Cut the bullshit with me. You have been here a little bit too often, even for you.”
“Kylie, there is no bullshit,” I try to tell her. “I just I know his wife.”
“Obviously, doesn’t her brother play hockey?”
“Yeah and practically everyone else in her family too,” I confirm. “What do you know about her husband?”
“I know he’s an asshole and you don’t want to piss him off.” She leans back in her chair. “I also know he’s not exactly a model husband.”
“What does that mean?” Even though I know exactly what it means.
“It means that he fucks pretty much anything that walks.” She shrugs. “At least that’s the gossip around the water cooler. No one has actually confirmed they fucked him, but you can see his wandering eye.” Even knowing it was coming, I wasn’t ready for her to actually say it.
“He’s such a fucking piece of shit,” I growl, shaking my head. “Has he ever tried to come on to you?”
“We don’t run in the same circles.” She laughs.
“Stay away from him,” I warn, getting up from my chair, “and keep out of his sight.” She looks up at me. “He’s not a fan of me.” She gawks. “We’ve shared a few words.”
“Kirby,” she says my name, “I have to work here.”
“Not if you take me up on my job offer,” I remind her. “Then you won’t have to worry and you can just be free.” I go to open the door. “Think about it.”
“Well, by the sound of it, I probably won’t have a job once you’re gone. It’s a good thing we don’t share the same last name.”
“Told you not to change it,” I tease.
“He adopted me when I was eight,” she snaps at me. “It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”
“Then you’ll be safe and no one will know we’re related.” I smile at her.
“Well, I am prettier than you.” She laughs, making me laugh. “And you”—her face grimaces—“from what Angela told me, you are ugly both inside and outside.” She mentions my ex-girlfriend, who I dumped when I figured out she was a bully to Ariella.
“Yes, because you really need to listen to what she says.” I look over at her. “She also said you were a spoiled brat and I shouldn’t be paying for your car.”
“That bitch,” she retorts. “I never liked her anyway.” Now I laugh out loud. “What time are you picking me up on Saturday?”
“It starts at seven, so probably seven thirty,” I reply and she nods.
“Make an entrance, I like it. Also, I’m getting glam done. Thank you for that.”
“Anything for you…always,” I say, walking out. She blows me a kiss. I head to the children’s wing, and instead of listening to the kids, the only thing I can think of is Lexi and how pale her face got. Hoping maybe, just maybe, she breaks free one day.