Chapter 6
Switch
“Thank you, Mary.” I reply, walking briskly past Joy on the front reception desk to where I need to be.
Knocking twice on the door I let myself in, not paying too much attention to the person sitting on the bed, instead moving to the basin and washing my hands.
“I’m Dr. Manning, what can I do for you toda-” I let out a long groan as soon as I spin around and lay eyes on the exam table.
“Well, Doc, you see, I’m not feeling very great. I got a bad case of Love Pres-ticular Cancer.”
Closing my eyes I pinch the bridge of my nose. “What the actual fuck, Pops?”
“Yeah, sounded better in my head,” he says thoughtfully. “Anyway, what the fuck are you doing letting sweet Joy and her little girl stay in their house and not bring their cute little asses to the clubhouse last night? You were there when Marx said we got sick bastards after them.”
I lean my ass against the basin, crossing my arms over my chest, my white doctor coat tight across my back. I don’t even know why I wear the fucking thing. I’m a co-owner of this place, in theory I could wear whatever I want, but I doubt anyone wants to be treated by a man in a cut.
“You think I want them living there? Fuck no! But it’s up to Joy. I’m not making decisions for her. She’s had that her whole fucking marriage and I’m not going to be that guy.”
Pops’ face softens a little. “I get it kid, but maybe if she knew the danger?”
“She does.” I answer flatly. “I told her last night. I just couldn’t fucking keep her in the dark. She deserves to have control of her life, I’m not going to bulldoze her into coming to the clubhouse if she doesn't want to.”
Pops narrows his eyes at me before a sly smile starts to bloom. “You’ve got eyes on them, haven't you?”
I don’t answer. There is no way I want Joy to find out that I spent the night in the SUV so I could keep an eye on them.
Not that I needed to worry too much. It seems that Willa has taken to doing the same thing, even going so far as to pull a gun on me when she realized I was still out there.
We’ve since come to somewhat of an understanding.
I treat Joy well and I get to keep my balls. Sounded like a good deal to me.
“Well, you can keep your big, ginger secrets, but I’m going to work on Joy. You may be content to sleep in the SUV, but I know my old heart just wouldn't take the stress of worrying about those girls.”
My eyes narrow as Pops plasters a sad puppy dog look on his face. “You’re a wily old fucker, arent ya?”
“Meh. I wouldn't go that far.” He grins at me and pulls his pants up.
“Was there a reason you were sitting here with your balls out?”
“I like to let them breathe now and then,” he says winking, before throwing open the door and whistling his way to the front desk where Joy is sitting.
Shaking my head I check in with the duty nurse to see who we have next. Rose Grove is a great close knit town but fuck me, if there’s something going around, the whole damn town will catch it. Case in point the stomach bug that seems to have originated at one of the schools and swept through town.
After Pops leaves to go do whatever the fuck it is he does I’m slammed with back to back patients.
By the end of the day I’m wrung out with the scent of shit in my nostrils.
All I want is to go home, shower and sleep, in that order.
I don't even give a shit if I eat or not. Unfortunately, until the DRMC can get rid of Matthew Thompson, his business partner and the fucker that bought Kit, I will be dozing in the DRMC SUV outside Joy’s house.
Spraying antiseptic on the exam table and giving it one last wipe, I inhale, feeling the burn of the cleaning products.
“Um, are you sniffing the exam table?”
I whirl around, spray bottle and paper towel in hand. “No. Yes. Maybe?” I answer as my cheeks heat at Joy’s amused look. She rolls her lush lips between her teeth to hide her smile, but I see it there. “It’s not that weird.” I roll my eyes.
Joy shakes her head side to side, a pretty smile on her lips. My eyes rove from her lips to her pert little nose and then her chocolate brown eyes. They’re alight with amusement, but they don’t hide the dark circles.
“Joy, did you get any sleep last night?”
Her gaze darts away as she picks at her nails.
“It was just really hard to convince myself that everything will be alright. After, after what you told me,” she ends in a whisper.
She stands stock still for a moment before straightening, “In the end I just remembered that you and the DRMC are five minutes away. I showed Kit this morning which way to go if she needs help and Miss Willa also said that we are welcome at her home anytime, but, well…”
My brow raises. “Well?”
“It just doesn't feel as safe as it did when we were at the clubhouse.” Joy hangs her head and as shy as she looks I can’t help perking up. Shit, I want to punch the air and fucking do a dance right about now.
“Do you want to come to the clubhouse? I was going to offer but I didn't want to push you into anything. I know you love your new little house -”
“Yes. Please.” She stares up at me and I nod.
“Sure thing, babe. You tell me what you want to do and we’ll do it.”
The smile she gives me is one full of relief. She blows out a breath before looking around her. “OK, I’ll head home and pack some things. Mama Debs had Kit today because I didn’t feel comfortable dropping her at school.”
I nod. “How about I drive with you? I’d feel better having eyes on you, I know that it sounds fucking barbaric but it’d make me feel better.”
“Like when you slept outside last night?”
Shit. “Ah, what makes you think that?”
She rolls her eyes, “Willa saw you out there. Asked if I was attached to ‘the strawberry blonde in the MC vehicle outside’,” she says using air quotes. “I told her I was and she said that she wouldn’t shoot you, but she would fuck with you a little.” Her lips twitch.
“Why do I feel like Willa could be a bad influence on you?”
“Switch! You leave Willa alone. She reminds me of the Ol Ladies.”
“Yeah, that's what I’m afraid of,” I mumble, turning to toss the paper towel into the trash and hanging up my white coat.
Turning to Joy I catch her eyes on my ass and I can’t stop the devilish chuckle that escapes me when her eyes shoot to mine and her cheeks to pink.
“Ready?”
“Always.”
Joy
I don't know what it is about Switch but being near him calms me. I may not have slept all that well last night because of all the things bouncing around in my head, but at least I wasn’t afraid.
No, that fear came on after Switch left to head to work and I drove Kit to the clubhouse.
Once on my own I started to see shadows everywhere.
The relief I felt when I walked into work this morning physically took over.
It’s like my whole body relaxed. My shoulders dropped, my limbs heavy as if I’d just had a massage.
That’s how relaxed I feel just being in the same vicinity as Switch.
I’m sure my therapist would tell me it's unhealthy how attached I’ve gotten to him, but I can’t help it.
I just know everything will be fine when he’s near.
Wandering into the parking lot I press the unlock button on my keys.
My little car may not be the fanciest around, but she’s safe for me and Kit and was one of the first things I bought once Travis’ money came through.
I was never allowed to own a car when he was alive, so buying the little Toyota seemed like a big middle finger to him.
He may be dead but that doesn't mean I’ll stop trying to give him the middle finger as he rots in hell.
We wander closer and Switch plucks the keys from my hand, rushing to the passenger side and holding the door open. Peeking up at him he looks a little sheepish as his big body shifts from one foot to the other.
“I’d feel safer if I drove you. I promise to take good care of your girl.”
I look up at Switch, brows furrowed. “How did you know she’s a girl?”
He grins. “Kit told me you’d named her Petal, so it made sense.”
I have the urge to hide my pink cheeks, to dip my head in embarrassment, but I don’t think I feel embarrassed.
Travis would have belittled me, Switch accepts it as fact and joins in.
I fight against my instincts and keep my head up, burning cheeks on show and a smile on my face.
Petal makes me happy and I think she makes Switch happy too because he beams at me as he waits patiently for me to get in.
He shuts the door gently behind me and then walks around the front of the Petal.
I watch him with hungry eyes, he’s so handsome.
Not in a pretty boy way, but in a ruggedly handsome way.
Broad shoulders tapering to his waist, thick thighs and a booty that really fills out the jeans he has on today.
My body flushes and my fists clench to get myself under control.
I am in no position to be leering after Switch.
We’re friends, he said so himself. And I’m damaged goods with self esteem in the gutter.
I may be free of my monster, but that doesn't mean I’m ready for anything more.
I need to build myself up stronger, to be better, for Kit and myself.
And I won’t be able to do that if I’m walking around with heart eyes for Switch.
No, I have to just stick to being friends, enjoy his company and keep my baby safe.
A grunt breaks me out of my thoughts and I try to hide the smile on my face as Switch tries to maneuver his big body into the small drivers seat.
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah,” he grunts again, fiddling between his legs for the lever that moves the seat back. Even at his furthest setting, Switch’s legs are still up around his ears. “She’s a smooth ride.” He says, cheeks pink.
I burst into laughter and his shoulders relax a little as he gives me a playful smile. “Maybe next time we’ll take the DRMC SUV.”
I bravely pat his leg in sympathy, trying to ignore how good the bunched muscles feel under my palm.
“So, how was your day?” Switch asks at the intersection, his red hair bouncing as he looks left and right.
“First off, thank you for putting in a good word for me,”
“Nope. Stop right there, I may work there -”
“- your name is on the front -”
“Well, yeah, but I didn’t hire you. That was Sandra and she doesn’t do anyone any favors, so you obviously impressed her with your skills.”
Butterflies hit my stomach at the thought that I could have impressed anyone let alone the crotchety office manager at Rose Grove Medical Center, but I’ll take that win.
“Well, thank you. Anyway, Sandra is a total sweetheart.” Switch’s brows fly up at that and I laugh at the look on his face and his gaping mouth. “Truly. She’s always so helpful and helps me with the systems if I get stuck. And everyone who came in today was so nice, even if they are sick.”
“Yeah, that’s the downside. I know it’s shit, but for the next six months you’ll probably pick up everything going around.”
“Oh, that would explain the sick days,” I say thoughtfully.
“Yeah, better for our staff to take the time to heal than walk around looking like day of the dead dealing with our patients,” Switch replies, flicking the indicator to turn into my drive. “I still can't believe you think Sandra is a sweetheart. Holy shit.”
“She is! Stop being a meany.”
He raises his thick brow as he looks over at me. “A meany? Oh Joy, sweet, kind Joy, you really need to get better at your insults.”
“Well, good thing I’ll be staying at the clubhouse,” I joke, even if my gut drops at the reason why I’ll be staying there.
“Ah shit, they’ll corrupt you! Maybe just don’t hang out with Rider. Or Pops. Or Chewy, Blanche and Ana. Actually, Kaia can be a little prickly too. You know what? Maybe just stick to Mama Debs.”
I laugh before it dies in my throat as Willa comes into view, storming across the front yard, her floaty dress blowing in the breeze as she stomps her cowboy boots to where Switch slows to a halt. Oh yeah, and she’s carrying two shotguns.
“What in the fuck is going on?” Switch mutters before pulling to a stop and rolling down the window.
Before he can get a word in I’m leaning over his lap, heart in my throat, “Willa! What’s going on? Are you OK?”
Switch grips the back of my neck and the pressure feels good, good enough to have my heart dropping back down to my chest.
Willa looks at me before her blazing gaze darts to Switch. “Three men inside, wearing tactical gear. I’ve called Mad Dog and was about to go threaten them.”
My jaw drops and Switch squeaks. Or maybe that was me. I can't tell. I also can’t figure out why Switch and Willa seem to be completely calm about the situation.
“You got any more of those guns?” Switch asks, eyes darting between the shotgun in Willa’s hand and my house. My wonderful little house.
Willa’s eyes narrow and she purses her lips. “Think you can handle Dean?” Switch’s brows raise as he nods. “Alright then. You take Dean, I’ll keep Sam.”
I can’t help the giggle that bursts out of me and when Switch looks baffled. “It’s the Winchester brothers, from Supernatural.” I explain. I'm verging on hysterical and I have no way of stopping myself from giggling.
Trying to take deep breaths, I focus on slowing my heart rate down. I need to calm down, I need to curl into a little ball like I’ve done so many times before and just go into my turtle shell. Play dead, just, survive, but I can’t. I’m stuck, lightheaded like I’m floating away without a tether.
“I’ve got you, Joy,” Switch murmurs, his big hand rubbing down my hair, my neck, and back again.
“We’ve got you.” Willa adds, eyes narrowed at my house. “Let's teach those motherfuckers a lesson.”
“Willa, is there something you need to tell me?” Switch asks, warily.
“Yeah, never call me a bitch,” she says through gritted teeth before turning on her heel and walking toward my house.
Switch opens his mouth before looking at me, not just seeing me, but looking into me. “I’ll keep you safe, Joy. No matter what.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt on my account.”
He looks toward my house and Willa’s retreating back before looking back at me, eyes dancing. “I have a feeling Willa is going to be more dangerous than all those fuckers in your house put together.” I grin at him and then cock my head when motorcycle pipes fill the air. “Stay here, I’ll be back.”
Switch presses a kiss to the crown of my head and even though I’m huddled in the front seat of the DRMC SUV, even though my house is being invaded by dangerous men, even though my neighbor and the DRMC are going in to bat for me, heat spreads through me and my heart takes flight.
Everything is going to be alright.