Page 12 of Just Is Not Enough

Now my problem is, how do I find a way to see him again? Obviously, I don’t have his number or know where he lives. I could see if Jackson could get his number from Lanie for me, but then I’d have to explain why. Somehow, from Kaden’s behavior last night I don’t think it would be a good idea involving our siblings. I don’t know if I’m ready to explain all this to Jackson, either.

What else do I know about him?

Duh, he's a dentist. All I have to do is show up at his office to see him. That’s easy enough. One small problem, I don’t know his last name. Wait, didn’t he say he shares an office with his aunt in Charlotte?

I open the browser and search ‘Kaden Dentist Charlotte NC’ and cross my fingers. This feels a bit stalkerish, but I’m too nervous about not finding him to care right now. I exhale a sigh of relief when only one result matches. Thank goodness he has a unique first name.

Kaden Parker, D.M.D.

Finding him makes me far more excited than I thought it would. I suddenly have a very bad toothache.

Chapter Eleven

My Lemons Turned Into Lemonade Today

One Month Later

Kaden

Sweatdrippingdownmytemples, the crisp morning air is barely keeping me cooled down, when I arrive back at my apartment building shortly after six. Every day I seem to be getting out of bed earlier than the previous. The morning makes for the best casual running conditions. Up until a month ago, I was waking up at six to start my routine. Perfecting my timing so I walked into my office a few minutes before nine when my busy day starts.

Then Luke happened. My dreams have been consumed by images of him. His blown-out pupils staring down at me, the moaning he tried his best to hold back hoping he’d please me. Remembering how my throat was sore for days afterwards, but I wasn’t complaining. I have no control over when they start, then I wake up in a pool of sweat and my dick harder than the concrete I ran on all morning. It only takes a few minutes to get off after having such vivid dreams. There’s no getting back to sleep with the thoughts still circling in my head.

Now, I’m down to about five hours sleep if I’m lucky. Instead of my usual 30 minutes, I’ve had to schedule an hour lunch in between patients to recuperate midday. Thankfully, I’ve been good at keeping my serious doctor pretense on with patients and employees. By the end of my workday, I come home to veg out on the couch, watching old movies while eating takeout until either my sister or friends come to harass me. I think they’ve come up with a schedule of rotating shifts for each day. Connor and Ender, being in my inner circle of closest friends with Faith and Lanie, have all banded together trying to pull me out of this funk I’ve fallen into.

The fucked-up thing is I don’t knowwhyI’m stuck in this shitty mood. Yes, Luke is on my mind way too often, obviously. But I was the one who drew the line at a one and done. I made the exception with him because, frankly, what sane person could resist him? But why did he have to be charming, on top of being sexier than any man I’ve ever met. It’s a cruel punishment, for what I don’t know.

To make matters worse, Lanie and Jackson have been inseparable since the party. They started hanging out with each other within days, almost immediately calling themselves exclusive. When she’s not here or at work, she’s with Jackson. I’m happy for them, truly, but it reminds me more of Luke.

Part of me is jealous of how Jackson texted her the very next day. I didn’t give Luke my number, though that was on purpose. You would’ve thought with his declaration of not being done with me, he would have found a way to contact me by now. I may not have wanted anything more from him after the party, but the fierce determination in his statement and eyes that night did something to me I cannot explain.

My phone ringing in the bedroom shoves me out of my thoughts. I leave my bathroom to finish dressing after my shower, grabbing my water filled tumbler before answering my phone on speaker.

“Hey butthead, what do you want for dinner tonight? I’m thinking we should get Bad Daddy’s. I’m craving that spicy burger they have, oh and some of their onion rings, they’re so fucking good. We have to get some of those. Look at the menu on your lunch break and text me what you want. I’ll pick it up on my way to your place.” Lanie has way too much energy this early in the morning for me to manage right now.

“Lanie, you don’t need to hang out with me tonight. Go over to Jackson’s, I’m sure he will be much better company than I will be.” I pick my phone up off the dresser and make my way out of the house to my car.

“Seriously Kaden, can I say something to Jackson about Luke now? Please? This is ridiculous. You like him. Stop trying to deny it. You said you had fun with him the night of the party and not only in the men’s room,” she giggles at herself, breaking up the solemn tone in her voice. “I know he’s supposedly straight, and yes, we hate that. But the way he looked at you that night and what he said to you, I don’t know. That doesn’t scream straight guy actions to me. Maybe he’s worth a shot?” She contemplates for a moment.

“I really hate saying that after the lecture I gave you about hooking up with another straight guy. Besides, if he’s anything like his brother he’s not a total dickwad like Ty…He Who Shall Not Be Named.” Lanie corrects herself.

I sigh heavily, “It doesn’t even matter Lanie. If he wanted to see me like he said he did he would’ve asked Jackson for my number. He could have asked you directly. For Goddesses’ sake, he could have found me on social media or by looking me up on the internet. I’m a dentist, it wouldn’t be that hard to find me.” I sigh in exasperation and regret raising my voice in the slightest at her. She doesn’t deserve that.

“He’s straight. He didn’t tell his brother about the night of the party. Which means he plans to remain one hundred percent straight. I’ll survive this and move on soon enough. I did it last time, and I let that jerk play with my head for almost two years. This is small potatoes compared to him.” I don’t know if I’m trying to convince her or myself.

Lanie stays quiet, but I can still hear her on the line. As I pull up to my office parking lot she breaks her silence.

“If it makes you feel any better, Jackson said Luke has been crazy busy preparing for the opening of his restaurant. He hasn’t even seen Luke but one time in the past month. Maybe he’s just busy?” She grasps at straws trying to make me feel better. It doesn’t help, but I love her more for trying.

Ignoring her comforting words because I can’t bother deluding myself, “Lanie, I’m at the office. I have to get inside. I’ll see you tonight. Love you.” I wait long enough to hear her say I love you, then end the call.

Walking into the office, Kelsey, my personal assistant, greets me with the brightest smile, as usual. She is so sweet that it sometimes makesmyteeth hurt by interacting with her.

Don’t take it out on her because you decided to torment yourself over another straight guy.

Aunt Olivia and I have our own personal assistants, on top of our mutual staff. Kelsey has been good to me since I’ve joined the practice. I don’t have to worry about much with her here to keep things in order. Kelsey has been managing the office alone while my aunt and her assistant both took vacations this week. I remind myself to get her a nice gift for her birthday in a couple months.

Turning on the happy switch, I approach her behind the counter to review my appointment book for the day.

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