Chapter Forty-Four
Mikayla
“Okay, Mr. Fletcher, that should do it,” I announce after I place an adhesive bandage on his arm. “This time, maybe wear your shoes in the woodshed,” I advise.
“Never stepped on a nail before,” he grumbles as he steps down from the treatment table.
I follow him out of the room and roll my eyes. I walk over to Rabecca, handing her his chart. “I entered everything into the system.”
“Thanks,” she says with a smile.
I walk to the break room and grab my purse, preparing to leave when the phone in the room begins to ring.
“Hey, Rabecca,” I say as I pick up the phone.
“You have a visitor,” she says, her voice uncertain.
“A patient?” My brows draw as I finish collecting my belongings.
“No, a really tall blonde woman.”
I immediately hang up the phone and drop everything, running to the front.
“Rock?” I run to the entryway.
My best friend stands up, her eyes shining as I approach. We run to each other, and I jump into her arms.
“You’re here!” I yell. I’m like a toddler in her arms; my legs wrapped around her.
“Surprise!” she sings, a big smile in her voice as she squeezes me back.
I drop to my feet as Caine walks through the entryway, looking all hot with his cowboy hat on.
“Well, hello,” Raquel murmurs as he approaches. She juts out her hip and places her hand on it.
I hit her on the shoulder and point to him. “That one’s mine.”
Caine walks over and bends, giving me a warm kiss before turning to Raquel. He extends his hand and smiles.
“I’m Caine.” His voice is deep, and his Texas twang shines right through.
“I’m… I mean…” Raquel clears her throat. “Jesus,” she whispers.
Caine laughs. “No, just Caine.” He teases.
“Pick your jaw up off the floor,” I tell her, annoyed.
“Sorry,” she says. “Talk about an upgrade.”
“The Montgomery men are quite delicious,” Rabecca says as she waddles to the door.
Raquel’s eyes widen. “How many are there?”
“There’s only one left who isn’t married.”
“Way to hoard the goods,” she bitches as we walk outside.
“Lance does want me,” I say nonchalantly.
“Not funny,” Caine says, turning around.
“I thought it was hilarious!” Rabecca says with a chuckle as she gets into her car. “Plus, it’s true! See you at dinner tomorrow!” she yells out with a wave.
“Shit!” Raquel says. “You have dinner plans tomorrow?” Her face falls, and all of a sudden, I see the sadness in her eyes.
“It’s tomorrow. I’m free now,” I tell her. I grab her hand and squeeze.
I turn to Caine. “I’ll let Mom know we’ll have another for dinner,” he says. I smile up at him. I didn’t even have to say anything.
“I won’t be home late,” I tell him, getting on my tiptoes and wrapping my arms around his neck.
Caine lifts me off my feet, grabbing my ass before kissing me, and I mean, really kissing me. His tongue delves into my mouth, and I cling to him, my tongue dancing with his as I tilt my head. Will this ever stop making me tingle all over?
“Call me if you need a ride home,” he whispers, placing me on my feet.
“Fuck me,” Raquel says when he drives away.
“I know,” I whisper, touching my lips. They’re swollen.
We walk to her car, and I pull up directions to Porters, the only bar in town with good food.
We both order burgers and fries and rum and cokes. It’s a Friday, but still early.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her as I sip my drink while we wait for our food.
“Can’t a girl just miss her friend?” Raquel asks, tilting her head.
“You, no. What’s wrong?”
Raquel closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “It’s stupid.”
“Shut up.” I hold up my hand.
Raquel rolls her eyes at me and slumps her shoulders. “It is! I’m hardly a little girl. But when I heard I—I just needed you.” Her voice breaks, and I reach across the table and take her hand.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, squeezing her fingers.
“My mom had an affair,” she says. Raquel sits up straighter and lifts her chin. “And now my parents are getting a divorce.”
“Shit!” I mutter, getting up from my seat and moving to sit beside her. I wrap my arms around her and lay my head on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s a week before Christmas, and they tell me now!” she huffs, shaking her head in disbelief. “I mean, Merry Christmas to me!” she hollers, lifting her hand up in a wave before fisting it and setting her cheek on it.
“You can celebrate the holidays with us,” I tell her. “Sawyer’s been staying with Lance since we left. Jason gets out in a few days. I need to talk to Caine about the plan for him, but the spare room is open,” I say, thinking out loud.
Our food arrives, and I look up to see Kyle walking in. “Not Kyle,” I say under my breath before I wave, and he waves back. I take in a deep breath as he walks over.
“You just got off work?” he asks, looking at my scrubs.
After he looked at Mr. Fletcher and I gave the old man his tetanus shot, Kyle had left for the day.
“Didn’t go home yet.”
Kyle’s eyes dart to my friend. I can’t tell if he’s interested. Kyle’s good at hiding his feelings.
“Kyle, Raquel, Raquel, Kyle,” I say, waving my hand between them as I introduce them to each other. “Kyle is my boss and Caine’s best friend.”
“Hi,” Raquel says with a sad smile. But I see their eyes lock.
“Hi.”.
“Hey Kyle,” coos a busty brunette who walks over to the table. “Want to join me?”
I feel Raquel stiffen beside me, but more drinks arrive, distracting us.
I make a face at Kyle. The brunette’s perfume is overwhelming. I want her to go away. It’s ruining the comfortable ease between all of us. Even with Kyle here.
“Bye, Kyle,” I say as I get up and move back to my side of the booth.
Kyle’s mouth drops open, and he looks like he wants to say something, but the brunette grabs his arm, pulling him away.
I pick up my burger and smile at the juicy goodness. I take a bite but regard my friend. Raquel looks behind me, an annoyed look on her face
“That woman was brazen,” Raquel says with a scowl.
I shrug. “Caine says the buckle bunnies can be aggressive.”
“But isn’t Kyle a doctor?” Raquel asks.
“Yeah, but this bar is a cowboy bar. Caine once said that Kyle always got his leftovers,” I say with a smirk. Kyle’s hot, not sure why he always stood in Caine’s shadow.
“That man clearly has no problem getting laid,” Raquel says, but her voice is full of distaste.
I quirk a brow at my hypercritical friend. “Neither do you.”
Her eyes dart to me and she nods before picking up her burger and taking a bite.