Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Hayes
Baseball doesn’t come up in conversation at dinner, which is a nice change. Sometimes I feel as though all I ever talk about is baseball.
Instead, Leighton tells us about a patient she had in the labor and delivery unit today.
“The baby was crowning, and her mother and the doctor were gushing about this new restaurant on Dearborn and how mouth-watering the steaks were. They were going on and on as this poor woman was pushing. I saw her keep giving them dirty looks and knew she was going to lose her patience. Then she starts yelling at both of them every time she pushes. The baby arrives with no problems, and once she’s resting, she starts crying because she brought her baby into the world hearing his mother yelling. ”
“She doesn’t sound nice,” Monroe says.
“She was frustrated. She hadn’t eaten for over eight hours. She was hungry, exhausted, and in pain. It’s understandable.” Leighton smooths Monroe’s hair, giving her a soft smile.
Monroe brings her knees up, resting her feet on the edge of the seat, her palms flat on her thighs, looking at her nails for the millionth time.
“I guess she’s done with that conversation.” Leighton wipes her mouth and puts the napkin on the plate.
Easton points at me. “That’s the restaurant you missed out on the other night. It was so good, right, Deck?” Easton looks from me to Decker.
“It was okay,” he mumbles and buries his head in his plate.
The alarm bells go off in my head. This conversation needs a detour and fast. If Leighton finds out that I missed that dinner, she’ll feel guilty.
“Okay? Rarely do you get a new restaurant that lives up to the hype. Don’t tell my uncle Rome, but they make a better ribeye than him.
And the best part was we didn’t have to pay a dime.
” Easton continues to tell the story even though no one but Leighton seems interested.
“But don’t worry, we’ll beat them next month, and you can join us then.
I’ll be more than happy to go back to that place…
ouch.” He grabs his leg and glares at Decker.
Leighton turns to me. I’d rather eat a charred ribeye than tell her the truth.
Easton covers Lincoln’s ears. Lincoln doesn’t bother stopping him because Easton’s his new hero. “Deck… man.” He nods at Monroe.
“Monroe, cover your ears for a second?” Leighton asks her, and she does it. “They get the drill.”
Easton lets Lincoln’s ears go, and Lincoln replaces them with his own hands.
I say, “We have this competition with the DICS and—”
“What are the dicks?” Leighton asks.
I stretch out my sore arm by putting it across the back of her chair. “Drew, Ian, and Camden. The three outfielders. They have this childish competition with us.”
Leighton leans back and crosses her arms and legs. “Tell me more.”
“I knew I liked you,” Easton says, but Leighton puts up her finger.
“Watch the language, okay?”
Easton nods, and Leighton touches Monroe’s arm. “Do you two want to go get your shoes on, and we’ll go for ice cream?”
“Yay!” They both run for the front door.
Once they’re gone, Leighton nods to Easton.
“We’re in teams of three, and whoever has more bases—whether stolen or hits—at the end of the month has to buy the other three dinner.”
“And you guys won in April?” She looks at me when she asks.
I nod.
Her head tilts. “And when was this dinner?”
“Jackass,” Decker mumbles.
Leighton’s eyes don’t leave mine. She’s waiting for me to tell her, but I don’t want to see those eyes filled with guilt. Because I was happy to be here and not at a steak restaurant.
“I don’t like red meat.” It’s a lame response from a guy sitting here eating a burger.
A small smile forms on her lips, and our eyes hold. Does she know how beautiful she is? How the curve of her neck is so appealing, you’d think I was a vampire?
“Tuesday,” I finally say.
She nods, and the guilt-ridden eyes are there, but then her smile grows wider. “I guess I’ll have to take you there then.”
“No need, we’ll beat them this month,” Easton says. “Ouch. Fucker.” He glares at Decker.
Leighton pushes her chair back and gets up.
I glare at Easton.
“It was really good, thank you all.” She takes my plate and hers.
Both kids run back in with their shoes on.
“I had more fun than a night out with Drew,” Easton says. “And I get to show off my nails tomorrow.” He looks at Lincoln, who holds up his hands to show off his matching nails.
“Can we go now?” Monroe asks.
This is the perfect time for Decker and Easton to tap out, make an excuse, and I’ll stay. I lean back and shake my head at the guys.
“Sure,” they say in unison.
My hand fists around my napkin, wishing it was a fork and I could throw it at them.
“I’m gonna go change out of my scrubs.” Leighton heads toward the stairs.
Decker and Easton join me in the kitchen to help clean up.
I don’t really talk to them or entertain their conversation about playing Texas and who is pitching, because I’m annoyed and confused.
Annoyed because I want to be alone with Leighton, to have all her attention on me, but what is the point when we’re both in such different places—neither of which seem right to pursue a relationship.
“Something wrong?” Decker asks.
“Nothing.” I put the salad lids on and put them in the fridge.
“Oh, he wants us gone.” Easton pushes himself up on the counter, not helping to get things cleaned up.
“She’s Callie’s best friend,” Decker says, ever the voice of reason.
Easton rolls his eyes.
Before I can tell Decker that I’m not as admirable as he is, Leighton comes back downstairs wearing a shirt and a pair of jeans—jeans that hug her ass so tightly, I even catch Easton looking.
I give him a scolding look while Decker nudges Easton with his shoulder.
“We’re gonna head out,” Decker says.
Lincoln and Monroe instantly whine, obviously overhearing from the other room.
“Sorry, boys, you’re committed now. You have to see it through.” Leighton grabs Monroe’s hand, and the two of them leave the house.
Lincoln is right at Easton’s side, and Decker and I follow behind. Decker gives me an expression to say he tried. And he did. Just not hard enough.