Page 2 of Someday You Learn

“Fuck,” I grate out as I pull her into my chest. “Thank you. I promise, things will be different. We can get back to us once you’re better, okay?”

“Yeah. I think we need that.”

When we part, I look down at her and press my lips to hers, wanting her to know that deep down, I still love her—and part of me always will.

But the sharp taste of vodka on her lips should have told me that nothing would be enough to save this woman from herself.

Chapter one

Parker

Three Years Later

“You ready for another busy day, gentlemen?” Dr. O’Neil hoists his pants up on his waist so that they’re hugging his protruding belly even tighter, though they’re just going to slide right back down in a few minutes. The man seriously needs to invest in a better belt or a pair of suspenders.

“As ready as I’m going to be,” I say, stifling a yawn. “The truth is, I’m still trying to recover from yesterday.”

An emergency surgery kept me here until well after midnight, but it was worth it just to see the look of relief on the young girl’s face when I told her that her puppy was going to be all right. The little German Shepherd got stuck under a chain-link fence and sliced his belly open pretty badly. Of course, the parents were grateful too—until they saw the bill.

“Well, I’m bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to be put to work, Dr. O’Neil!”

That’s my new colleague, Seth Brown, who has his schnoz shoved so far up our boss’s ass that his last name has taken on a new meaning. It’s pathetic, really.

Or maybe I’m just too tired today to tolerate his kiss ass behavior.

I take a moment to stare at him, trying to read him for the thousandth time and give him the benefit of the doubt.

Nope. The guy really irritates the shit out of me.

“That’s the spirit, Dr. Brown.” Dr. O’Neil, who insists we call each other by our rightfully earned titles, slaps Seth on the back while I try to conceal my eye roll. “Glad to see we have a team player on the staff.”

Seth has only been here for a few weeks, but it hasn’t taken very long for me to get an uneasy feeling about him. The front receptionists adore him, but all I sense is fakeness and an overeager need to get everyone to like him. He’s happy all the time, which is a huge red flag if there ever was one. I mean, no one is happy all the fucking time. And the passive-aggressive way he likes to try to correct me at every turn has me itching to take him out back and show him what I can do with a pair of dog nail clippers.

Unfortunately, his services are necessary, given how fast Carrington Cove has grown in the past few years. Dr. O’Neil and I just couldn’t keep up on our own anymore. Now, between the three of us, we’re able to juggle the workload a bit better, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t still long and draining days.

Another yawn escapes my lips. “Well, I’m going to check on Chewy and then prepare for the day.” Holding up my coffee to the two men, I turn on my heel and head toward the recovery area of the practice, intent on making sure my little German Shepherd pal is doing well so his family can take him home later today.

I didn’t always used to be this irritated by everyone and everything. In fact, there was a time when someone might have accused me ofbeing as cheerful as Seth. But life has a funny way of changing you, and not always for the better.

As I check on Chewy’s vitals, my boss comes up behind me. “You saved this little guy’s life last night.”

“He got lucky. He didn’t puncture any internal organs, just some deep lacerations that needed stitches and a course of antibiotics.”

“Still, Parker. You care. I know we’re not supposed to get attached to these animals, but you always put your heart into it. That’s what makes you great at this.” He clasps my shoulder. “You’ve come a long way since you were a rookie, always trying to prove yourself.” He chuckles, likely remembering all the times he had to rein in my over-eager work ethic. “One day when I finally decide to retire, I know I’ll have two sets of capable hands to leave the practice to.”

“Two sets of hands?” I say, looking down at my one set.

“Yes, you and Seth.”

“Ah.”

“Of course, that’s if I can ever make that decision. Beth says they’ll have to drag me out of this building kicking and screaming in order to make me hang up my lab coat.”

I snort. “Sounds about right.”

“You get it, though. When you work this hard at something, at a job that feels more like a purpose than just work, it’s hard to step away.”

I nod, but the irritation simmers beneath the surface. I’ve given too much to this job—and sacrificed more than I care to admit—so the thought of Seth taking even a piece of that away from me makes my blood boil. If I have it my way, that guy won’t be around for long. My goal is to take over the practice as the sole owner when Dr. O’Neil decides to retire, whenever the hell that may be, and I sure as hell don’t want Seth to be my right hand man when I do.

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