Page 99 of Aching for His Discretion

And it took me falling in love to realize that it was the best and worst mistake I’ve ever made.

Chapter forty-one

Teegan

Two Years Later

Walking out of the operating room, my coworker gave me a playful shove as the other threw their arm around my shoulder. Looking over at them, I rolled my eyes.

“Have you guys been waiting this entire time?” I asked, and they both nodded as one took a sip from an apple juice we give to mothers after they give birth.

“It’s been well over three hours. This is the busiest case today... and didn’t I assign both of you to the clinic to cover for me?!” I asked in shock as I had to be pulled out from the clinic to deal with a tough case, and thinking I could rely on Tweedle Dee and Dum, I asked them for help. Despite them being my beloved resident coworkers, they could often be rather annoying at times like these.

“Jacob went over! You know he’d do anything to make you happy,” Emma said suggestively, and I rolled my eyes as Isnatched the apple juice from Abbie’s hand, causing her to gasp heavily.

“For the last time, Jacob is just a friend, and this, Dr. Scott, is for our mommas who have just given birth, not for the second-year resident who’s hiding from the clinic!” I scolded, and they both followed me as I went to our shared office space.

“Teegs, we just wanted to know if you wanted to get brunch with us.” Emma pouted, and I crossed my arms.

“Is that why you left Jacob to handle all of the patients? To get brunch?”

“We only left him with two!” Abbie defended, and as if on cue, the door opened, and in walked Jacob, who seemed mildly irritated as he handed Abbie the files and clipboard of all the patients he had seen in the past three hours. “Or six…” She whispered the last part, and I shook my head as Jacob sat at my desk and leaned his head back.

“Are you coming, though?” Emma asked, and I sighed as I nodded. I could go for some breakfast as I had to skip it and drink coffee in its place.

“Yeah, I’ll come.”

“Tweedle Dee and Dum, you’re buying my lunch,” Jacob said as his eyes remained closed, and I giggled softly as Emma scoffed.

“Who invited you?” Abbie asked genuinely, and Jacob shrugged.

“I invited myself. And Teegan gets to choose where we eat,” he said, standing, and I laughed as the girls said a few choice words as they grabbed their belongings.

Soon, we made our way out of the hospital and to a cute brunch cafe I loved nearby. Along the way, we made small talk and joked about all kinds of things.

Life... felt different. I had moved cities again and left behind the man of my dreams... and nightmares at times. It feltdifferent. I missed him, but I was doing just fine without him. He had put me through so much but helped me grow and become a better person all at the same time. He taught me how to trust myself and not to be so trusting of the outside world. As much as I missed him, I felt liberated, free from the devilish grip he had on me. But alas...the devil has wings.

I played with the diamond on the necklace he’d given me around my neck as we sat at the table. It still felt like he had a hold on me… as if he still owned me, my heart, soul, body, and mind. Every time I tried to take the necklace off, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He was still too present in my life even if he was no longer in it.

He stopped contacting me after our break-up, but I still kept in contact with my boys… They called almost every day and would either be by themselves or together. In comparison to my biological brothers who haven’t spoken to me since that dreaded day in the hospital, the guys were my true brothers, even though they called me “Mama,” “Little Mama,” “Mama Bear…” all of the mamas. But when we talked, they never really brought up Levi, and I didn’t either. It would’ve been too hard for me in the beginning, and they didn’t like to see me cry... Elliot especially, my grumpy carebear.

“I’ll have an old-fashioned breakfast, no substitutions, and she will have red velvet pancakes, a side of bacon, and a matcha latte. And we’ll remind you later, but a mango smoothie to go,” Jacob requested, and I narrowed my eyes at him as he had ordered for me while I was lost in my thoughts.

“I think what you’re trying to say is ‘Thank you for placing my order. I’m happy you know what I like to eat,’”he said, trying to read my facial expression, and I shook my head.

“You don’t know anything about me, Jacob.”

“Hate to break it to you, Teegs, but you’re a fairly easy person to learn about and adapt to,” Emma commented, and I crossed my arms childishly as they laughed.

“Are you angry I didn’t get your order right?” Jacob asked with a knowing smile, and I rolled my eyes.

“No. I’m angry because you did,” I mumbled, and they laughed even harder as I did my best to hide my smile.

Thankfully, our shift at the hospital had ended, and it was only six PM. Walking over to my car, I heard a few footsteps followed by a voice.

“Teegan! Wait up!” I heard Jacob, and I looked over my shoulder as he came over to my car.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked curiously, and he cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck.

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