Chapter 11 #2
I’m not sure what’s happening to my heart.
I’ve never connected with a patient, let alone their family, the way I have with this one.
I’m protecting boundaries and giving myself verbal warnings about getting attached, yet for the first time in my life, I’m questioning if following my own rules is the right thing.
That’s a slippery slope and a concrete affirmation that it’s time for me to date. I won’t find my person behind these exam room walls or playing Dirty Bingo with baseball players.
I need to get out. Time to text Val.
Set up the date, please. I’m ready.
If anything, I now have two great friends out of this connection. And now the chance to pick up an exercise I’ve missed more than anything.
I can’t complain about that. Not one little bit.
When Tenley invited me out for drinks with her friends, I had no idea it would be this fun. Don’t get me wrong, I met Kodi and Navy at Joe’s last week, but they’re much more fun without their husbands.
Aren’t they all? Or is that just a me thing? Probably is.
We decided to meet at Boone, the same restaurant I remember Crew telling me about the other night. When Navy suggested it in the group chat I was graciously added to, I was already looking forward to it.
I’m a born and bred foodie to my core. Trying new foods is what I live for when traveling to new places, let alone a new city I get to call home.
Boone is supposedly known for its elevated pub-style food.
It has an urban bar meets masculine aesthetic.
Pillars of cedar wood line the exterior while cedar slats create an awning-like structure over the entrance of the restaurant.
The roof is black with accents to match, and string lights hang over the outdoor seating.
Despite being smack-dab in the middle of downtown Atlanta, Boone gives a very “locals only” vibe that, lucky for me, I now fit in with.
Navy reaches across the pub-style table and dips her chip in the salsa. “He just hasn’t been himself lately, and I’m worried, guys.”
“I mean, how do you even recover after losing your partner? I don’t think I’d be able to physically get myself out of bed if I lost Callaway,” Kodi says, and I feel my heart drop.
I don’t know Jack Leggins personally, but after hearing countless stories about what kind of stand-up guy he truly is, it makes me deeply sad for him.
Sad for his loss and all of the obstacles with grief that follow.
“I’m not sure you do,” I admit truthfully, doing my best to contribute to the honesty of the conversation. “Has anyone been to his house? At least to make sure he has groceries, his grass is mowed, trash is taken out? You know, the little things that are easily neglected.”
Kodi and Navy look to Tenley. “Why are you looking at me? My name isn’t Crew Briggs.”
Crew? What does Crew have to do with Jack’s house?
“You’re his built-in best friend, being married to his actual best friend. If anyone were to know, it’s you, Ten.” Kodi doesn’t waver, and it only proves her loyalty to Jack.
The Strikers are a family. I don’t need to be a part of them to feel it.
Tenley raises her hands, the crunching of her taco interrupting her words. “All I know is that he checks in every Sunday. Jack lives close by, and Crew re-routes his run to stop by his place.”
That must mean Jack lives by me, too.
“Hey, isn’t that where you said you lived, Juniper? The suburb side of Atlanta?” Navy asks me, and I nod.
“Yeah. I live closer to the farmland side. Big houses, lots of dirt roads, easy ways to get lost,” I answer, speaking from experience.
“I’ll stick with my high-rise,” Navy quips.
“So, Crew visits with Jack on Sundays?” I ask, curious to know.
“Well, it’s not as morbid as it seems. From what August has said, he just shows up and does what needs to be done to help. He’s still not thrilled about having visitors, Crew included. I think Jack is doing better than he was, but that’s expected. He and Taylor went through a lot together.”
Nothing about Crew being so thoughtful surprises me.
It’s not my place to know, but it feels a bit superficial to mourn the loss of someone I don’t know without fully understanding what happened. I mean that as respectfully as possible.
So, I clear my throat. “I know I’m not a part of your group, or the Strikers, for that matter, but is it okay to ask how she passed? If not, I totally understand. It’s just that I might be able to provide him with some resources that may help.”
“That would be incredible, actually,” Tenley says, reaching her hand to cover mine. “I don’t think he would mind you knowing, seeing as how most of Atlanta knows. Leggins is kind of a big deal around here, so to see our home team coach suffer such a loss had the whole town suffering.”
“Taylor passed from stage four breast cancer. It progressed quickly. We were grateful to see her suffering end, but devastated knowing who she left behind. It’s all just so sad.”
The table falls silent. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I know words will never be enough. Let me reach out to some physician friends and see what I can find. I don’t know if he’d be up to talking with someone, but it may help.”
Navy grits her teeth. “He’s been a bit angry. Hardly talks to the team as is. I asked his opinion on a custom jersey for the fundraiser auction, and he about bit my head off. I don’t take it personally; it just sucks to see him hurting so much.”
“Well, I don’t want to impose, so the option is there if he wants. I remember when my mom lost her sister…I never thought I’d get her back. I still haven’t, really, but in time, things get better.”
That’s when everything went downhill. The lack of care for herself, her family, the things she was responsible for. Everything was cast to the wayside and resulted in a nasty habit.
I’m not sure I’ll ever truly feel like I have my mom again.
“I hate that for you, Juniper. Seriously. At least you turned out pretty damn awesome,” Tenley says, noticing my mood change, and I appreciate her for it.
“I agree,” Navy quips. “Never thought I’d see the day we invited another fierce baddie into our circle, but you fit right in, girl.
Could partially be because you were down to strip dance without knowing anyone.
I knew right away you would be around for the long haul.
At least, I hope you are. Unless we’ve scared you.
” She laughs, Tenley and Kodi joining in.
“I actually think we’ve become more tame with age,” Kodi proclaims, looking around the table for agreement.
“If only we cut the Dirty Bingo shit,” Navy says, taking a sip of her whiskey sour. “We’re wives now. Doesn’t that mean we’re supposed to be classy and well-mannered?”
Kodi’s snorts send us over. “When have any of us ever been well-mannered? Look who we married.”
“True.” Tenley smirks, nodding to the waiter for another round. “August is even more filthy with age. God, the man has the stamina of a horse.”
“He’s like a younger version of Pedro Pascal,” Navy giggles. “Stache game is strong.”
“It’s all those mustache rides he offers up.” Tenley smirks, and the vivid picture is there.
Lucky for her.
“Callaway is literally running out of body space to add more tattoos. I keep telling him he might as well tattoo my name across his dick while he’s at it,” Kodi rambles. “I might suck it more than I already do.”
“Oooo,” Navy hums. “I should have Bodhi get mine between his ladder piercings.”
“Wait! Bodhi has a Jacob’s ladder?” Tenley gasps, stunned by this new revelation.
Navy’s lips turn in a sinful smile, and I’m instantly jealous of all the talk of sexual activity going on. God, I miss sex. “Sure does. Piercings at the top, too. More beneficial for my pleasure.”
“Oh, lucky fucking you,” Kodi rolls her eyes playfully, taking a jab at her boastful best friend.
“Also, don’t go pretending like you didn’t know this, Ten. I’ve only talked about it hundreds of times over the years.”
Tenley flutters her lashes, slamming her drink back in one gulp. “Maybe I tried to forget. Ever think of that, babe?”
“No,” Navy draws out, simply unable to understand. “No. Never once.”
The waiter delivers our round as Kodi shifts the conversation to me. “So, Juniper, what about you? Any boyfriends, husbands, wives, or secret lovers we should know about?”
“Oh, jeez.” I had to know this question would come up.
They’ve all been with their husbands for at least four years now, if I’m remembering correctly.
They each have a child of their own, aside from Navy, and no plans for more—so they told me strongly.
And those big facts seem to be the one thing I don’t have in common with them. “It’s been a while since I’ve dated.”
“How long exactly?” Tenley asks.
I huff. “A long while. Probably close to two years, and I’m not even sure I’d count him.”
“Two years since you’ve had sex?” Navy coughs, and I think I’ve stunned her.
“I’ve had sex, Navy. Just never with anyone serious in two years. You have to remember, I’m coming out of years and years of med school. I hardly had time to sleep, unless it was dreaming about emergency medicine procedures or biostatistics.”
“The horror,” Kodi mumbles under her breath. “So, what are we gonna do to change that?”
“Oooo, we should set you up!” Navy suggests.
“Hold on, wild woman,” Tenley tells Navy. “Maybe we should see if Juniper is looking to date right now.” She then turns to me. “You just moved here, so maybe you want to get settled for a while longer.”
One would think, right?
“Actually…” I reveal. “My best friend, Valentina, who’s also a physician in the area, is setting me up with a guy this weekend. We have a date Saturday night.”