The Doctor (Nashville Neighborhood 1)

“He was young and made a mistake, but I can tell you, Preston’s the most important person in his life now.”

Her expression was pure skepticism. “I find that hard to believe.”

“He’d do anything for his son, and that included giving me up.”

She sighed, then ran a hand over Tripod’s back, making the dog’s tail thump noisily on the bed. “I don’t know how to feel about that man anymore. He broke my baby girl’s heart, but also saved her life.” When she stopped petting him, Tripod nuzzled her hand on the bed, and she resumed. “He looked at you the same way, you know. He came right into that recovery room, took your hand, and held it the entire time he told me how the surgery went.”

I took in a breath, and as my lungs expanded, there was the dull pain reminding me not to do that. I tried to picture the moment. Greg standing over my hospital bed, one of my hands clasped in his. It made my heart ache.

“Well, I know you’re hurting,” my mom said, rising cautiously from the bed. I had no idea if she was talking about my physical or emotional pain. “Get some sleep. I know we both need it.”

It was both comforting and uncomfortable with Tripod sleeping beside me like a furry, immovable log. Whenever I tried to get him to adjust, he just groaned and snuggled in.

I’d gotten a few hours of sleep, but now my pain medicine was wearing thin, and I sent a text to my mom.

Cassidy: Can you bring me something to drink? I’m ready for some more drugs.

Mom: Good, you’re awake. Are you up for visitors?

It had to be Lilith. My mom texted her when I went in for surgery, and my best friend had wanted to come by the hospital. I’d foolishly thought I’d get to go home last night and had told her not to worry about it.

Cassidy: Yeah, send her up.

Footsteps creaked on the stairs, causing both Polly and Tripod to lift their heads toward the sound. My door pushed open without a knock, and in strolled a boy, a can of Dr. Pepper in his hand.

God, again?

THIRTY-FOUR

TRIPOD WAS OFF THE BED in a heartbeat, darting around Preston’s legs in that joyful dance only dogs do when excited to see new people. Traitor, I wanted to yell to my dog. Polly had my back. She glared at Preston, and as he cautiously approached the bed, she hissed.

Today, I was most definitely a cat person.

I eyed Preston while he set the unopened can on my nightstand like it was a peace offering.

“No,” I growled.

Tripod froze, sensing the tension, and hightailed it back to my bed.

“I just need two minutes.” His voice was quiet and pleading.

“Well, whatever you need,” I patronized. I stared at my ex-boyfriend, wondering why the hell my mother let him up. I’d told her he’d stopped by this morning and our conversation had been tense.

He glanced around my room, and though he’d been here countless times, he looked at the space like it was new. Perhaps it was. I’d removed all traces of him after my birthday. I didn’t need to see his face or the reminder of how much he looked like his dad.

“I’m sorry.” He turned in his spot, looking at me directly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. That day I screwed up, it was supposed to be a group of us, but everyone bailed—including you—except Stacy. So, I’d had a couple of beers, and we got into the hot tub because—”

“I don’t want to know,” I snapped.

He straightened and ran his fingers through his hair. His mannerisms were just like his father. “I didn’t fuck her. It didn’t get that far.”

“I don’t want to know.” I couldn’t be clearer than I’d been already. The angriest part of me wondered if sex hadn’t happened because Greg had caught them. “And I don’t want your apology. Just go.”

Unlike last time, he looked lost, and very much like the boy I’d loved once. But my heart didn’t work like it used to.

“Okay. I didn’t come here to make it worse. I was trying to fix it.”

Had he lost his damn mind? “Fix it? You can’t fix this.”

“That came out wrong,” he answered quickly. “I’m trying to fix me. I’ve been an asshole to everyone, but most of all, to you.” He put his hands on his hips and sighed. “I got to the point where it was so bad, I didn’t even notice how awful I was anymore.”

Something had changed in him, like his eyes were wide open again. “What happened?”

“When he got home from work, my dad and I had a beer together.”

My dad, he’d said. Not Greg. I waited for Preston to elaborate, but he didn’t. “Must have been one magical fucking beer.”