Page 82 of My Salvation
Looking back at Thayer, I notice his eyes are filled with laughter. “You’re laughing at me?”
“Laughingwithyou, I hope. It’s fine. It didn’t hurt. In fact, it felt damn good to have a woman in my lap again.” His eyes trace over my curves, as if he’s just now noticing them. Holding up his hands, he solemnly says, “I promise. It’s all good.”
My hand reaches out to grab the arm of the chair, and I sink down into it. Looking across the desk, I realize it feels weird to be on this side. I’d gotten so used to this as my office, it feels as if an intruder has taken over.
“OK. Let’s talk.” Waving my hand at him, I indicate he should begin.
Smirking, he tilts back his head and says, “Right. I wanted to apologize to you for my behavior towards you. Not only should I have trusted my brother’s judgment, I didn’t know you, and I never should have taken my anger out on you. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
I stare him down, trying to understand if he is sincere or not. Shaw said he felt remorseful, but the apology was clipped, as if the words were forced out of him.
“Are you sorry?”
“I just said I was, didn’t I?” Anger tightens his eyes as he glares at me.
“What you did was cruel. What if I’d had a PTSD episode? You accused me of having a lack of compassion, then cornered me into giving you a piece of my past. I don’t feel you are really ready to apologize. I think you’re only doing this because of my relationship with Lev, Lowell, and Shaw. If that’s the case, you can keep your apology. I don’t need it. I can treat you with professionalism, and we can stay out of each other’s way.”
“You’re impossible.” His voice raises as he runs his hand through his hair. “I am incredibly sorry. You don’t even know the depths. My mother was abused, and the thought of someone making her relive one moment of her torture fills me with murderous thoughts. And the fact that I did that to you...I can’t even tell you how sorry I am. And I hurt my relationship with my brothers, too.” He shakes his head from side to side, as if astounded by his own behavior. “Give me time. Please. To make it up to you. I promise I’m not a bad guy. Just an ass. Sometimes. And stupid.”
Releasing my anger, my voice softens as I reply, “I accept your apology. Hell, my therapist thinks it could be good for me. I hadn’t spoken about the abuse to anyone but her. Now I’ve told you, your brothers, and even Sarah this morning. It’s like I’m an open book now.”
“Thank you.” Pulling his chair forward, he pulls up the files from this morning. “Let’s talk about the patients.”
CHAPTER 38
THAYER
I get a text from Lev, stating dinner’s ready. As it’s a nice night, we’re eating outside.
Rolling on the back patio, I pull up to the table. Lev sets down the platters of food and motions for us to dig in. Mm, it looks like pork chops tonight, with some type of gravy and a salad.
Shaw hands me the platter as he kicks off the conversation. “Thayer, how are things going in the office?” His simple question is a smoke screen for what he really wants to know.
“It’s good to be back in the office. Patients are happy, and there are no complaints about Kate. She’s a really great doctor. Smart, compassionate but professional. We’ve collaborated on several patients and cases, and we’re doing well. She and Sarah are thick as thieves.”
He narrows his eyes to let me know he wants the personal information, not the glossy version I just gave him. Lowell and Lev have also paused their eating while they wait for me to continue.
