Page 39 of Grumpy Sunshine

If I was a Care Bear, I’d have a taco on my belly.

—Chevy to Keely

CHEVY

“Maybe not like you,” I agreed with her.“But I’ve had some pretty gnarly episodes myself.Luckily no one was there to witness them.”

She sighed.“What are you doing here so late?Aren’t you usually here at the crack of dawn?”

Usually.

Only, I’d gotten a call last night that I needed to deal with, and I’d called another anesthesiologist to take over for me until I could get there this morning.

Dr.McCain had agreed, leaving me free to take care of business today.

I was tired as fuck, though, and hoped to catch a few hours in the breakroom between patients.

Hopefully no emergencies came in, giving me that time.

“Had something come up last night that I needed to take care of, and I just got back,” I explained.

“That explains the motorcycle stuff,” she teased as she walked.

Motorcycle stuff.

Gosh, I liked her.

She was so fuckin’ cute.

“Won’t do to be ridin’ around not protecting my body.My sister would lose her shit,” I admitted.

Had lost her shit enough that we’d gotten to the point where we just wore the gear so we didn’t piss her off.

Though, I was fairly sure I’d give my sister the world if she asked for it.

“Smart woman,” she said.“When I was ten or so, we were moving from Las Vegas to Texas, and we were driving along one of the major highways and we watched as some woman and man were riding and hit a slick patch of water or something.The bike went one way, and they went another.I remember being so in awe as they went sliding because their leather and helmet took the brunt of the impact.He had some patches on his back from where his leather jacket had ridden up and allowed the ground to get to the exposed skin.She was fine.”

“Your mom actually stopped?”I asked curiously.

“No,” she snorted.“She slowed down near the bike, I’m assuming to look for anything valuable.But it was completely torn to shreds.The man took his helmet off and went to crouch in front of the woman to make sure she was okay, and my mom drove out of there like our car was on fire.”

The story sounded familiar.

If I remembered correctly, Cakes had experienced something similar to that.

It also might explain the mother taking off if she had recognized Cakes and Cally.

Webber had some of his friends take care of the DNA test for him, but things were starting to add up the more I talked to Aella.

The DNA test would only confirm my suspicions.

“The more I learn about your mother, the more I don’t like her,” I admitted.

“Same.”She sighed.

I pressed the up button for the elevator, despite wanting to take the stairs, and she waved at me.“I’m taking the stairs.”

I followed her.“I was being a gentleman and taking the elevator with you because most women wouldn’t be taking the stairs.”