“I wouldn’t miss this.”
Out of my seven siblings, Gatsby and Fern are my favorites. I know it’s wrong to have preferences, but I can’t help it. After Dad died and my mom went into a catatonic state, Gatz was the only one who supported me and my love of hockey. Even though his triplets—Lysander and Aslan—suggested I quit because nobody had time for my schedule.
In the beginning, he was the one who drove me anywhere I needed to be at all times. He also taught me how to drive and came to most of my games. Fern…well, that’s different. She took Mom’s place, and I appreciate all the sacrifices she made for us.
Whenever they need me, I’m there. Well, that’s a general rule. If any of my siblings need me, I drop everything and go to them.
“Don’t forget to check on Fern before heading back to Oregon.”
I nod once. “Already planned for it, no worries.”
As I step outside their room, I glance at Gatz’s little family one last time. He got his star—Maia—and I…well, I made a mistake and missed my chance to be with who I think could’ve been my soul mate.
It was one of the best nights of my life and after her…well, what am I supposed to do with my life after Rys?
Chapter Ten
Rys
I’m about to fall asleep, and whose fault is that?
I should consider this… “Bad idea number… I lost count,” I mumble as I close the microwave door and set up the time to reheat my leftovers.
“Are you okay?” Dan, one of my colleagues and closest friends, asks.
I nod. “Peachy.” But I’m actually not.
Traveling back and forth from Portland to San Francisco is draining me. Add the occasional trip to Baker’s Creek and I need a vacation—perhaps a sabbatical.
You want me managing two clinics in different states, of course I can do it. How hard can it be? I want to travel to the past and slap myself a couple of times for not only considering it, but agreeing with it. I can’t keep up this pace.
Dan bobs his head a few times, takes his food from the fridge, and while setting his stuff in the other microwave, he says, “You look like you’re about to wrap yourself in a blanket and quit the world. What’s happening?”
“Nothing.”
He nods.
“Is it because you had to travel to Baker’s Creek this weekend and you won’t see your hot boyfriend?” He pretends to look around and whispers, “I heard you might get fired for dating the captain of our archenemy.”
I burst into laughter. What else can I do? Six months ago, when I accepted to go on a blind date with a guy who sounded too good to be true, I had no idea I was about to meet Thad Roderick, the captain of the San Jose Sharks. He’s one of the best hockey players in the league—not that I follow the sport. I’m just learning about it.
Leyla Aldridge, my boss, is teaching me all she knows, which is a lot. She’s not only a fan, but her brother-in-law owns the Portland Orcas. Hence, there’s always someone joking that I’m going to get fired. If I wanted to date a big hockey name, they could’ve introduced me to an Orca player—even the captain.
Funny story, the captain of their team is Caspian Spearman, the guy I met a few years ago who said he was an actuary. Lying asshole. I knew there was something fishy about him. Thankfully it was a one-time thing and I’m over him.
Over him.
Over.
Okay, I’m still working on it. He kissed me like no one ever had done before, and sex with him was the best I’ve had in my entire life. Not that I’ve had any since him. I’ve been too busy.
Dan clears his throat, looking at me expectantly, so I say, “I’m sure they wouldn’t fire me for that.”
“So how are things with Thad the hottie?”
I shrug one shoulder. My relationship with Thad is…strange, to say the least. He’s a thoughtful guy. When we go out on dates, he’s amazing, but we don’t see each other often. Between my schedule, his schedule, and his family always needing him, it’s hard to know where I stand.
Dan raises an eyebrow. “Still no sex, huh?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to, girl. What’s his excuse this time? His mojo is gone if he has sex before a game? There’s someone else, but has you as a backup?”
I scoff. “We’re both busy.” I sound irritated, which is better than fragile.
Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me, but others I wonder if there’s any chemistry between Thad and me. He’s good looking, but I don’t have the attraction I had with Caspian.
Another reason I might hate Caspian Spearman. He broke me.
Dan clears his throat. “That sounds like a total excuse from one of you. Maybe it’s you, because you yearn for the one night you’ll never see again.”
Why does he have to bring up Cas? I’m so glad I didn’t tell anyone his name or there’d be gossiping about the possibility of a love triangle. There’s no such thing going on between the three of us.
I roll my eyes. “It’s not an excuse.”
“So this is where the gossip happens?” Leyla enters the room. “I’ve been wondering where my two best doctors were hiding.”
“You’re missing a lot, boss,” Dan says. “Our girl is growing back her virginity.”
I blush. He didn’t just say that. “Seriously, Daniel?”
He shrugs. “It’s true. When was the last time you had sex? Not since the Portland clinic opened and you moved there. What was the name of that hot mystery guy?” He snaps his fingers.
I wave a hand as if saying it doesn’t matter. “It was long ago.”
“But you agree this drought is weird?”
“We’re waiting for the right time.”
He rolls his eyes. “If my husband had told me to wait for the right time, I would’ve dropped his ass and searched for someone else.”
Leyla laughs. “Doubtful. You love him too much.” She turns her attention to me. “Are you okay? You look tired.”
I nod.
“When you’re ready to talk, I’m here for you, okay?” Leyla isn’t just a great boss, but also a good friend.
There’s nothing to say. Do I want some advice on how to take the next step with my boyfriend? I should know how to do it, but it’s almost impossible to bring up sex when he’s too busy and always on the run. I don’t want to sound like the needy girlfriend.
What can Leyla say?
Go to his hotel room wearing nothing but a trench coat and ride that hunk? It’s not a bad idea, and before I start planning a trip to Detroit so I can fuck my boyfriend, I ask, “So why did you call us to Baker’s Creek, Leyla?”
“We’re opening a new branch in Luna Harbor.”
One thing I love about working for Leyla—other than the scholarships she gives to those who can’t afford vet school—is that she wants to create more animal hospitals with her vision. She charges what’s fair, she never turns away a pet, even if the owners can’t afford the treatments, and she has a shelter right next door. The only thing I don’t love is that she usually tries to persuade Dan or me to help her open them. Hopefully, this time she’ll hire someone. I can’t travel to three different places.