Page 36 of Just One Chance
Chapter 12
Davidworkedback-to-backshiftson Friday. Not because he’d planned to, or because he particularly wanted to. The ER had just been too busy for him to leave. He finally managed to head home just after six Saturday morning, after successfully delivering a baby in the front seat of a car in the parking lot of the ER. That had been a first, and it made for a pretty decent way to finish twenty-three hours on his feet. All he wanted now was a hot shower, a peanut butter protein bar, and twelve hours in his bed.
He reached the island just as the sky started to lighten, the wispy clouds over the ocean a stunning array of pink and orange and deep yellow. It was almost enough to lure him to the beach to watch the sunrise.Almost.He pulled into his driveway and turned off the ignition, his head falling forward onto the steering wheel.
“Bed,” he said sleepily. “Bed would be good.”
He climbed out of his car and shut the door, turning when movement at Avery’s caught his eye. He froze, his blood running cold.
Tucker’s truck was in her driveway.
Tucker himself was standing on her porch, kissing Avery as she leaned halfway out her front door.
Well, then.
David shook his head and turned slowly toward his own house, too tired to care. No, not too tired to care. He definitely cared. Too tired to do anything about it? Absolutely.
He was almost to his front steps when Tucker called his name.
“Hey, David?”
David breathed out a weary sigh and turned around, his face expressionless.
“Man, you look rough,” Tucker said. “A lady friend keep you up all night, too?” He smirked.
“Yeah. She was eight pounds, three ounces and she and mom are both doing great.”
“Ha,” Tucker said with a chuckle. “Touché.”
“What do you want, Tucker? I just worked back-to-back shifts. I don’t really feel like talking.”
Tucker glanced over his shoulder as if to make sure Avery was well and truly inside her house and out of earshot. David had to wonder if she was watching through a window though. What would she think about Tucker approaching him?
“I don’t know what you were doing out at Jessica’s the other night,” Tucker finally said, “but I’m pretty sure you weren’t on a date.” He folded his arms across his chest. “It’s possible I asked around and couldn’t find a single person that recently moved into Jessica’s complex. Funny, right?”
David’s jaw tensed, but he said nothing. What could he say?
“You don’t want to go to battle with me,DoctorDaniels,” Tucker said, emphasizing thedoctor.“You won’t win.”
David ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders slumped. He was way too tired to deal with Tucker. To deal with anything. “What are you trying to prove?” he finally asked. He looked Tucker right in the eye. “Why do it? Why hurt her like this? She doesn’t . . .” David sighed, not even sure what he was trying to say. “I know you think you’re just fooling around, but she doesn’t. She thinks this is going somewhere.”
“You don’t know anything about what Avery—” Tucker stopped and smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. “Oh, I see what this is. Youlikeher.”
Was there not anything David could say to get rid of this guy? He opted for the direct approach. “Can you just leave? Please? I told you I wouldn’t say anything, and I won’t.”
Tucker took a step backward, laughing softly. “That would really be something,” he said. “Youand Avery? I mean, I have to give you props for even thinking it’s possible.” He laughed again, a cruel, condescending laugh. “Talk about shooting for the stars.”
David turned and climbed his porch steps. Tucker had some nerve. How could Avery be so blind to the guy’s obvious lack of character?
“Don’t forget, Doc,” Tucker said as he continued to back away, just loud enough for David to hear. “I’m having dinner with Stevenson tomorrow night. It wouldn’t be hard for your name to come up.”
David unlocked his front door and stepped inside, slamming it closed behind him without acknowledging Tucker’s words. He was done. So done.
He dropped his phone and his keys onto his bedside table and pulled his shirt over his head. His bed called to him, but experience had taught him he’d sleep better if he washed the smell of the hospital from his skin. Minutes later, he climbed into his bed, muscles relaxed and skin red from the heat of his shower. He closed the blinds to the brightening day and checked his phone one last time.
He had a text message from Avery.
What did Tucker want?
