Page 71 of Doc's Decision

"I'll live," he grunts, easing himself down at the dinette with a pained grimace.

He looks up at Doc, then his gaze shifts over to me.

There’s something uncharacteristically serious and almost sheepish in his expression. "Listen, Mandy...I'm sorry for all the shit I say sometimes. I don't mean nothin' by it, ya know?"

I'm a bit taken aback by the unexpected apology, but I nod slowly. "I know you don't, Shiver. But it's still not cool. Especially since Doc and I are together."

Shiver rubs the back of his neck, looking chastised. "Yeah, I get it. I'll try to rein it in. I didn’t realize you were his ol’ lady. Just thought you two were foolin’ around." He clears his throat awkwardly. "So uh, we good?"

"We're good," I assure him, flashing a small smile.

Shiver stretches his arms overhead with a groan. "Aight, I gotta head out. Got some club shit to take care of."

He shoots me a smirk.

I roll my eyes, fighting back a smile. "Get outta here, weirdo. And put some ice on that eye!"

Shiver flips me the bird as he gets out of the trailer, careful to not let the door slam shut.

Doc whistles lowly, “Well, I didn’t expect that.”

Humming under my breath, I putter around the small kitchen, assembling ingredients. “Neither did I, but I’m not upset about it.”

Doc’s stomach grumbles, “Gotta go to the shitter, baby. Be back in a bit.”

I almost want to roll my eyes at his bluntness, but what would it even matter?

While he’s gone I whip up some scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa, turkey bacon fried to crispy perfection, toast slathered with butter. Simple but satisfying.

I pile it all on two plates, pouring a mug of strong black coffee for Doc.

He'll need the fuel after last night.

He emerges from the bathroom.

I hold up the steaming mug. "Coffee?"

Doc smiles slow, gaze raking over me in a way that makes my cheeks heat. "Hell yeah. Damn, mama, somethin' smells good."

He pads over and takes the mug, pressing a kiss to my forehead before sinking into one of the rickety kitchen chairs.

I set his plate in front of him and take my own seat, hooking my foot around his ankle under the table. “So, Doc, Shiver mentioned I’m your ol’ lady… so is that what I am?”

He reaches across the table, capturing my hand in his big, rough one. "Damn straight you are. You're mine, Mandy. I ain't lettin' you go."

My heart flips and I squeeze his fingers. "Good. Because you're stuck with me now, buddy. No take-backsies."

Doc laughs, a deep, rich sound that warms me to my toes. "I'll take that deal, baby girl."

We go back to eating but it's hard to focus on the food when I'm so damn happy I could burst.

Doc wants me.

He's all in.

And god help me, so am I.

Come hell or high water, I'm his.

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