A Very Grumpy Doctor (Wolf Valley: Grumps #16)
Chapter 1
Alexi
I sneeze and groan as I blow my nose into my last Kleenex. I swear, I’ve been going through a box a day for the last few days. This bug, or allergies, or whatever it is, has been killing me.
I hate being sick, always have, and I know that no one enjoys being sick, but for me, it’s one of my worst fears. I’ve been battling a cold and trying to convince myself I would be better in a few days, but it’s been almost a week, and things are getting worse.
I’m tired all the time. My nose won’t stop running. I can’t take deep breaths without coughing. I need to go to the doctor, but I can’t. Every time I pick up the phone to call and make an appointment, I freeze and end up chickening out.
I sniffle, staring across the room at where my phone is lying on my kitchen counter. I should call. It won’t be that bad, I tell myself.
My front door bangs shut, and I startle, my head whipping around to see who’s here. I relax for a second when I see my best friend, Daisy. Then I realize I’m screwed. Daisy will drag me to the doctor as soon as she realizes I’m sick.
“Hey,” I say, trying to sound normal and not like I’m dying. “What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d stop by and see what you’re up to. I know we haven’t seen each other a lot over the last few days since Ledger was in town…” She trails off, frowning at me.
“How is your man?” I ask, trying to distract her.
Unfortunately, my nose chooses that moment to start running. I sniffle, then cough, and when I look over at Daisy, I see her pulling out her phone. I groan, walking toward her, and she shakes her head.
“Get your shoes on,” she orders.
“I’m fine,” I wheeze.
She glares at me.
“I will be fine,” I correct.
She sighs. “Alexi.”
“Please don’t make me go,” I whine.
“Shoes,” she orders me again before she turns and talks into her phone. “Hi, yes, I’d like to make an appointment for Alexi Monroe. Yeah, that Alexi.”
Daisy stifles a laugh when I roll my eyes. “Today? Yeah, that’s perfect. Okay, we’ll see you soon.”
She hangs up and grabs my purse with one hand and my elbow with the other. “They can fit us in before closing. Come on.”
I trudge along beside her out to her car.
She opens the passenger door for me and smiles brightly as I slip inside. “It’s going to be okay, Alexi. We’re the last patients of the day, so we’ll be in and out in a few minutes. A quick exam, and we’ll have some medicine that will make you feel better.”
“We could try over-the-counter stuff first,” I suggest hopefully.
“No, come on. I’ve already made the appointment.”
I press my forehead to the passenger window as Daisy backs out of my driveway and heads through town to the medical clinic.
Daisy and I have lived in Wolf Valley our whole lives. We met in kindergarten and became fast friends. We’ve been through thick and thin together, and now we’re more like sisters. We’re the only family each other has anymore.
When we pull into the parking lot, I tense up. A cold sweat breaks out across my skin—not from the fever.
“Daisy,” I plead.
She ignores me and jumps out of the car, coming around to my side. I hate going to the doctor. And I mean hate. The last time I was this sick, Daisy had to drag me into the ER, kicking and screaming. This time feels like it’s not going to be much better.
Daisy opens the door.
I shake my head.
“Come on, Alexi. It won’t be that bad.”
“It will,” I whisper.
“Okay, I guess we’re doing this the hard way,” she mutters.
“Wait!”
But she’s already grabbing me and dragging me out of the car.
All the doctors in this small town know about me. Some are patient and try to comfort me. Some are annoyed. I wonder which one I’ll get today as Daisy tugs me up to the front doors.
I wrinkle my nose as we approach the front desk and check in. Daisy passes me the forms, and we’re called into the back before we can even sit down.
I’ve always hated doctors. I hate everything about seeing them. The cold rooms, the crinkly paper, the condescending way they talk, and how they act like they know everything.
I’m miserable as we enter the room, and I’m forced to step onto a scale. I glare at the athletic nurse as he writes down the number. I’ve always been plus-size. That’s another reason I hate doctors. They always dismiss my medical issues because of my weight.
I sway on my feet, my whole body sweating. I’m freezing and burning up at the same time, which is fun. My fever must be bad.
“Go ahead and take a seat on the table. The doctor will be in to see you in a moment,” the nurse says.
“Thanks,” Daisy chirps.
I slink over to the table, glaring at the paper covering it. It crinkles loudly as I climb on, and my nerves escalate. My feet jiggle nervously as I fill out the forms and pass the clipboard back to Daisy. She’s busy texting Ledger on her phone and chuckling at his reply.
My eyes dart to the door.
Can I beat her to it and escape down the hall before she catches me?
No, stay. We’re already here. Stay until they give you the shot or prescription or whatever. Ten minutes of stress, and then I’ll be on the mend.
I try to relax after my little pep talk, but it’s no use.
“We should go,” I blurt, hopping off the table.
“No, Alexi,” Daisy says firmly, leaping to her feet. “We’re here. We’re staying.”
I shake my head and dart toward the door, but Daisy is quicker. I’m so weak and miserable that she easily hauls me back to the exam table.
The door opens, and the doctor walks in.
We all freeze, staring at each other in shock.
I’ve never seen this doctor before. He’s hot. Really hot. Black hair falls artfully over his forehead. His coat is pristine, and I wonder if he irons it. His dark green eyes glance at Daisy before locking onto me. His mouth opens slightly as he stares at me.
I try to ignore my body’s reaction to him. I’ve never had crushes or dated before, never felt that spark people talk about, no matter how attractive I’ve considered a guy.
Not until now.
Has to be the fever.
I debate bolting out of the room, but before I can make my escape, Doctor Hottie closes the door.
Okay, I guess we’re doing this.