Page 37 of Lie for a Lie

“That and the woman I was engaged to at the time wanted us to settle here. She was over the California lifestyle.”

I can see some conflicting emotions fill Clint’s eyes. Bre and I lock eyes in intrigue.

“It was too complicated, and she moved back to where her kids were.”

“Do you miss her?” I ask because my romantic soul now has a new obsession.

“Sometimes, but that’s not my life anymore,” he laughs softly.

“I’m sorry.”

I smile softly before looking over to Bre who was whispering to Chris. I have to laugh at myself because I know my sister well enough to know she is getting all the tea on this mystery ex of Clint. I can feel Graham’s eyes lock on me, and when I let my eyes meet his, I hear Seth.

“Graham, where’s Kat?”

I snap my head towards Seth, just studying him and the cocky-ass grin across his face. His eyes lock on Graham.

“Arizona until next week. Her mom’s birthday.”

“You didn’t go with?”

I look at Graham, now curious, but he seems uninterested in talking to Seth.

“Nope, on-call.”

I can’t help but look around, confused, as I catch Bre mouthing, “What the fuck?”

I just shrug, taking another bite of food before Clint clears his throat.

“Boys.”

Seth chuckles briefly before leaning back in his seat and sipping his vodka.

“Dad, how has work been?” Chris asks.

I am grateful for the attention at the other end of the table.

“Good. We have a few new rookies, so things have been crazy.”

Clint smiles.

“I thought you were retired?” I ask, confused.

“I am from the Army. I have about five years left with the local department, but we’ll see.” Clint shrugs.

“Are you planning on staying in Texas?” Bre asks, messing with the food on her plate.

“Depends on where the boys end up when their contracts end.”

“You guys don’t plan on reenlisting?” I ask, ensuring I keep my attention on Chris more than Graham. Seth’s arm is now resting on the back of my chair.

“I want out,” Chris says, smiling towards Bre before Bre chimes in.

“What about you, Graham? You and Katherine have any plans?”

“No plans,” Graham says dryly before I finally let my focus fall back towards him. He clears his throat, eyes meeting mine before he looks toward the rest of the table.

“I have been trying to figure out where to apply for trauma residencies. As of right now, I am a general surgeon with just experience. I have to have the additional training residency, and maybe I can think about the rest of my life.”

---