Page 27 of The Player

“Your driver is here and will take you straight to the airport. Your personal assistant had your clothes and items packed, and a moving company will bring your items to your home within the week,” a nurse with a wheelchair tells me as she walks into the room. She places a small carry-on bag on the bed, and it sinks in. I’m going back home. My heart aches for the one person I know won’t be waiting for me.

Being rolled out of the hospital is an embarrassing moment for me, especially since there are a ton of reporters waiting to ask me a million questions. Luckily, the driver doesn’t allow them near me and gets me into the car without a problem.

“We shall be at the airport in twenty, sir.”

“Perfect. Will you do me a favor?”

He chuckles. “You know I never tell you no, sir.”

“Let’s stop at The French Spot. My sister and brother deserve some good food.”

The driver laughs and nods. “Of course, sir. Why don’t we stop by Sai Jai Thai as well? This way, you can get some food, make a few phone calls if you’d like, and then I can take you to the airport.”

“Do we have time for that?”

His chuckle is mischievous. “Sir, you own the plane that you are flying in on, and you get to leave whenever you like.”

Well, that’s true. “Right. I know this may sound bad, but what’s your name, and how long have you worked for the public relations team?”

“I’m Ritchie, sir, and I’ve been working for you and the PR team for about two years. I normally don’t drive. Usually, I’m the outside bodyguard pushing people back.”

“Ah, that’s why I didn’t know your name. For that, I’m sorry, Ritchie.”

He waves his hand. “Don’t even sweat it. Let’s go get you some food.”

For the first time in a very long time, I feel like I have a real friend. My team is paying him. Pathetic. It really is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever thought about. And yet, it’s the truth.

As we drive along the busy streets, I think about how the bakery is going to smell, and I hope, God, do I ever, that it smells like Julie.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Lennox, be good today. You hear me?” I look at my eight-year-old son, and I smile at him. He’s a little troublemaker.

“Moooooom.” He extends my name like I’ve offended him, and he gives me a wide-eyed look. He’s far from innocent.

Every time I look at him, he looks so much like Aaron it’s scary. I know Aaron isn’t his father, but Kaylee is convinced James is Aaron. It’s wishful thinking because if Lennox was Aaron’s, I’d be jumping for joy right now. Instead, I’m dreading what I am about to do.

“Seriously, Lennox. No more detentions. I have to drive out of town for a little while and I need you on your best behavior.”

He chuckles. “You mean until you get back, then I can give them all kinds of trouble, right?”

If there’s a loophole, my son is going to find it. I kiss his forehead and bend down so we are eye-to-eye. “Honey, you are so smart and funny. I need you to remember you don’t have to act out to get everyone to like you. They already do.”

Lennox’s teachers tell me that not only is he acting out in all of his classes, but he helps others too. I don’t know where this bad behavior is coming from.

“I promise to be good for now. But no promises for later.”

The laugh slips through my lips before I can stop it. “Fine. But if you get called into the Principal’s office again, there will be no bacon.”

He looks at me horrified and gulps. “Yes, ma’am.” Lennox isn’t going to be good, and he knows I’m not going to take his favorite food away. But it makes him think twice for now.

As I watch him go into his classroom, I shake my head. He’s a handful, but he’s my boy. And that is all that matters. My phone rings, and I see it’s Kaylee. For the fifth time this morning.

Instead of saying hello, I go for something a little more snarky. “Remind me again why I have to go pick up your brother?” This is the fourth time I’ve asked Kaylee in two days. It bothers me knowing I’ll be seeing him. I’m still not over her brother. Hell, I’m a twenty-nine-year-old woman—and a doctor, for God’s sake. Still, the mention of Aaron Johannsen brings me to my knees. I hate it. Not because he hurt me in the past, but because I can’t let the stupid crush go. Even if I seem to pine after him and a man named James. Wow, I need to get a life.

“Because the closest airport is Dallas, and it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. I cannot leave Bryson alone for that long.” Kaylee sounds exhausted and guilt eats at my stomach.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll bring him over as soon as we get back to Summerfield.”

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