I yawn. I’m so tired, I might just park the truck and head to my new bed. Worry creeps around my heart when I wonder if the apartment has all the necessary furniture and whether or not the bed is more than an inflatable mattress. I can’t afford to buy anything. Not until I start to make some money.
“It’s going to be okay,” I assure myself. You were able to survive med school, your residency, and working in an emergency room. A small town has nothing on you.
“Nothing.”
Chapter Four
Fisher
“We’re heading to Fiji,” Manelik says as we walk toward the coffee shop.
“Ha. Ha. Let’s pretend we’re all leaving town so Fish will beg us to stay.” I flick my wrist as if shushing him. “You all can go. It gives me plenty of time to install at least half a dozen boobytraps around the farm and the town.”
He glares at me. “You’re not allowed back on the farm without adult supervision.”
There’s a downside to my brilliant pranks. I have to watch my back every fucking second, and since no one loved the idea of only having cold water, they kicked me out of the house.
It’s okay, though. I moved into one of the houses we bought and renovated last September. The place is close to the coffee shop so it’s a blessing in disguise. In the morning, I roll out of bed and drag my ass to work. Who doesn’t love to have a five-minute commute?
What I don’t love is that I’m not living with the guys. It’s a tradition to live together when we’re not in Seattle.
I glance at Mane who lives with Nydia, his girlfriend, in the guesthouse. Things have been changing, and maybe leaving the house is part of my growth.
No, let’s not be dramatic. Me growing? That’s a big joke.
“Do you think we’re making up shit so we can prank you?” He laughs and shakes his head. “Your nonsense didn’t affect me. Why would I be part of this plan?”
“You don’t need an excuse to try to fuck with me.”
He rubs his chin as he pretends to think. “True. However, that’s not the case. I’m just taking my woman to a warm, tropical place. She needs a vacation. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Where did you get this idea?”
“It does fuck with me. You all are leaving. Beacon just left with Grace for a couple of months. Byron is never in town. Your brothers are also scattered around. Efren won’t be back until the end of the month. Iskander flies to New York every other week and stays there. Nando…who knows what he’s doing? Who’s next?”
“Don’t forget Sanford is going on a mission.” He smirks.
“Or so you say. He might be trying to infiltrate my new house, and…I’ll get back at you if anything happens to me,” I threaten him.
He chuckles. “Leaving town isn’t about you. Even though we’re helping my grandfather with his businesses, we’re not tied to the place.”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t have to…” I stop when I spot a small U-Haul behind the medical practice. The first thing I notice is the shapely legs of the woman getting out of the truck. She’s wearing an oversized blue sweatshirt that reads Columbia University.
This is our new doctor, huh?
From where I stand, I can see she rocks a hot, curvy body. My heart stutters when she turns around. She’s gorgeous. Small nose, pouty, tempting mouth, and high cheekbones. Her dark hair is pulled into a ponytail, and I wish I could see her eyes. I imagine they’re deep and soulful.
Fuck, now I sound like Manelik and Beacon. This love shit might be contagious. It’s a good thing they’re leaving. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.
But wouldn’t it be nice to meet someone who isn’t with me because I’m Fisher fucking Hannigan?
Nah, I’m just horny. It’s been so long since the last time I fucked anyone.
I look her up and down one more time. She’s hot and hopefully, available. “Well, hello, Dr. Hottie.”
“No.” Manelik’s warning voice makes me want to laugh.
I cock an amused brow. “No?”
“You can’t fuck her,” he forewarns me.
I pretend to yawn. “Sorry, Father. I had no idea I needed your permission to…fuck. Or are you trying to claim me?”
“Ha, as if.” He crosses his arms, trying to act serious. “You can’t just do the new doctor because you’re too lazy to go to Seattle—or call Laura.”
Please. Does he think I’m going to listen to him? Nope. I don’t give a shit about his opinion. The only one who gets to say fuck off to me is the hottie in question.
“By the way, how are things with Laura?”
And why is he bringing Laura into the conversation? I shrug one shoulder. “They aren’t?”
He looks at me expectantly.
“What do you expect me to tell you?”
“That’s the weirdest relationship I’ve ever witnessed.”
“You’re so out of touch with reality. An FWB isn’t a relationship. It’s friends with…Actually, we weren’t even friends. We were acquaintances who fucked. Were being the keyword.”
“I had no idea it was over.”
Is he for fucking real? I scrub my face with both hands. It’s not over because it never started.
“We had fun when it was convenient. Ever since the hiatus, it’s been radio silent between us…well except for that time when we were at the music award show.” I grin because it was a night of debauchery. Though I’ll miss the orgies she organizes, I doubt I’ll ever miss her.
Mane glances at the hottie. “That woman isn’t your type.”
I look at her from top to bottom and grin when I realize she’s just what I need. “Believe me, she’s my type.”
“I bet she likes long-term relationships,” he taunts me.
I shiver, then glare at him. “Your point?”
“Don’t fuck with the new doctor.”
I straighten my shoulders and take a couple of steps toward her. Stopping, I look over my shoulder and say, “She’s old enough to decide what’s good for her.” I grin, tilting my head slightly. “And I can be really good to her.”
I reach her just as she walks toward the back of the truck. I salute her. “Good evening ma’am, do you need help carrying your stuff?”
She barely glances at me and goes back to her phone. “Umm.”
“It’s free,” I offer.
Her eyes open wide. She reminds me of an elegant doe in the middle of the forest. She’s adorable and vulnerable. Easy to hunt. I’ll take my time eating her, though.
Her eyes narrow. “No?” I don’t understand her tone. Does she recognize me? Is she afraid of me? If we were in New York, I’d understand her reaction. In that city, when a six foot two, tattooed guy gets close to you in an alley, you run the other way—but not in Luna Harbor.
“He’s harmless,” Mane assures her with a gentle voice.
He’s the most zen person I know. During rescues, he’s the one in charge of the victims. He has the power to calm them, and everyone trusts him.