Quick spun around, looking the doctor in his eyes with that fierce green glare. “Do you want it to be a crime, Cayson?”
“Dad,” Vaughan blurted, turning to look at Quick like he’d lost his mind. But Duke had a hard time controlling his laughter, especially when his friend’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink before he stormed off to his office and slammed the door.
“What has gotten into him?” Vaughan wondered, looking bewildered. “I’m so sorry Dr. Chauncey, but he never acts like that. I hope there’s nothing wrong.”
Dr. Chauncey was flushed and wore a morbidly embarrassed look on his face. “I never did like my first name much, but hearing him say it like that makes me downright loathe it.” His forced laugh didn’t reach his eyes and Duke felt sorry for him.
“I’ll check on him.” Duke went to stand, but Vaughan grabbed his arm.
“I think Dr. Chauncey wants to check you out so he can get back to the hospital.”
Dr. Chauncey threw his hands up, dismissing Duke. “It’s fine. Go on and check on your friend. I hope I didn’t overstep. Sometimes I just run my mouth with no regard for consequence. Please tell him I’d like to apologize.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I think he just needs a vacation. He’s been handling everything for everyone and not taking a second for himself,” Vaughan said sadly.
“Hmm.” Dr. Chauncey hummed like he was in deep thought. Right before Duke closed himself in Quick’s office he heard a compassionate, “That’s a shame,” from the good doctor.
Duke didn’t utter a word when he was inside Quick’s office. He eased down onto the sofa nestled close to the window in the spacious room and looked around as if he’d never been in there. He noticed that Quick had added more pictures of Vaughan on the built in bookshelves along the far wall, as well as a few knickknacks.
Quick was rummaging through the stack of papers on his desk, still not bothering to acknowledge him. So Duke spoke up first. “You went after a bounty today?”
“Yes.”
“Without consulting me?”
“Yes.”
“Quick.”
“What?”
Duke was getting frustrated but he stayed calm. If Quick really was warring with his sexual identity, Duke didn’t want to add to it.
“What’s going on, buddy? You go out on a bounty without backup then you come in here and bite my doctor’s head off.”
“You’re wrong!” Quick barked; slamming his heavy palm down on the cherry-stained oak desk, causing the couple of picture frames there to fall over on their faces.
“About?” Duke asked calmly.
“I didn’t have a chance to contact you. I got the tip early and I went for it. The new guy, Markson, that Judge sent over, went with me. The bounty didn’t put up a bit of resistance, not to mention the kid was only one hundred pounds soaking wet. And for the record, I didn’t insult your doctor. He insulted me.”
Duke raised his eyebrows in question. “Oh really. How so?”
Quick bolted up from his seat, waving his fist angrily. “You saw him. Looking at me like that. And saying my name all… like… You know, you heard him.”
It took all Duke’s will power not to laugh in his friend’s face, especially with him looking so serious. Duke covered his smirk with his hands and feigned that he was contemplating what his friend said.
“Don’t you fuckin’ mock me, Duke. I can see you trying to hide your crooked-ass smile, but that’s okay. Laugh all you want, but I don’t want him in my house again.”
“Okay. Calm down, calm down, please, Quick.”
“See! See! You called me Quick. No one calls me Roman. No one! I don’t want him calling me that!” Quick was pointing at the door like Dr. Chauncey was standing just on the other side of it.
“First of all. I call you Roman sometimes, but only your friends call you Quick. The doctor is a professional. And second. You can’t get pissed because the guy called you by your name.” Duke motioned for Quick to sit, and after a few fuming seconds, he finally did. “I think you might be overeacting.”
“Whatever,” Quick grumbled, running his hand through his long hair in frustration.
“He said your name like it was honey on his tongue, you said his first name like it tasted like shit and you wanted it out of your mouth as quickly as possible.” Duke frowned, knowing he had to be truthful. He needed to let his friend know he’d hurt the fragile doctor.
Duke let the silence drag on before he added carefully, “Unless you like the doctor’s flirting and don’t know what to think of it.”
“Duke. Do you want me to put you out on your ass? Surgery be damned. I will literally throw you in my front yard if you say something stupid like that again.”
“Ouch.” Duke rubbed his chest like his friend had punched him. “Now you’re threatening me. Damn, dude. Where’s the love? I was on my death bed only four-and-a-half weeks ago, now you’re threatening to beat me while I’m down.”