Unbreakable (Unrestrained 4)

She made a face. “No, it’s just that we were trying to keep things quiet. Anyway, we’re not together any longer. It didn’t work out. Kurt’s a real player. Too much for me.”

“Are you okay?” I said, wondering if things had ended badly for her.

“Oh, me? No problem,” she said and waved her hand. “He was fun, and I learned a lot, but we’re really not compatible. It’s not the kink,” she said quickly. “It’s that he’s an atheist. I can’t be with someone like that long term.” She shrugged as if it was no big deal, but I heard a bit of hurt in her voice.

I nodded, and forced another smile, at a loss at what I could say. It was at that moment that I knew whatever we had before was gone. Everything Dawn said felt like criticism.

“Well, I better go,” I said, a heavy weight of sadness filling me.

“Yeah, me too,” she said and we stood there, glancing around, at a loss of how to say goodbye.

“See you around, Kate,” Dawn said and leaned in to hug me. I let her, but I felt stiff, because as much as it hurt, I still couldn’t get over how she threatened to hurt Drake way back then.

“See you,” I said and forced yet another smile.

Then I turned and walked away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Drake

Unfortunately, Lisa was not going to give up easily.

After a long morning of surgery and rounds, I was only too happy to leave the hospital early so I could meet Ken and the band at O’Riley’s for an early practice. I had to check on patients before I left the hospital, but then we’d meet and have a meal, practice in the bar, working on a new set of Brit Invasion songs by the Yardbirds and Dave Clark Five.

“Where are you going in such a rush?” Lisa asked as I tried to slip out of the conference room without making any small talk with her.

“Checking on patients before I leave.”

“You’re going to happy hour with us?” she said and it was then I remembered that our group had decided to go out together for Thursday happy hour.

“No can do. I’m meeting my band for a bite and then we have a practice. Gotta run,” I said and tried to slip through the doorway without stopping.

“Sounds like fun. Where are you playing?”

“Gotta run,” I said, feigning that I didn’t hear her. I turned and walked briskly down the hallway to get the hell out of there before she could ask me any more about the practice. I did not want her coming.

“Drake,” she called out, her voice sounding exasperated. “Wait up.” I heard her footsteps behind me and rolled my eyes. I didn’t slow down. Instead, she ran to keep up.

“Where are you playing?” she said again.

“You can’t come,” I said, trying not to sound too impatient. “We’re working on a new set and I’d rather not have anyone hear it yet.”

“So you’re practicing in a studio somewhere?”

I didn’t say anything, stopping in my office to remove my lab coat and slip on my jacket.

“You can’t come, Lisa,” I said more firmly.

“Yes, I can,” she said and frowned, her hands on her hips. “You have to be nice to me, remember?”

I shook my head but didn’t say anything. Then my office phone rang and I saw it was Kate.

“Hi, sweetie,” I said when I answered, smiling at hearing her voice. “I’m just on my way out to meet Ken and the boys for supper before practice.”

She told me she was going to get something to eat at her favorite deli close to Central Park.

“Be careful walking along 8th Avenue,” I said, sorting through files on my desk while I held the phone against my ear with my shoulder. “It’s busy this time of day.”