Page 68 of Doc Showmance
“Then I’ll go with you. I could use coffee.”
“I’m not buying but I’ll get the Uber.” I ordered a car to pick me up and figured I’d wing it. Anywhere but here sounded good.
25
Ian
“Where’s Amber?” I demanded of Brock. In the recesses of my mind, I remembered her showering. She couldn’t have been gone for more than fifteen or twenty minutes. Of course, I couldn’t be sure since I had a headache from hell.
Brock made a face from where he was refilling his coffee cup.
I knew that face. He’d said something crude or suggestive, maybe hurtful.
I center chested him with my palm and slammed him against the refrigerator. His coffee cup hit the ground, shattering. “What the hell did you say to her?”
“She left.” He stared at the broken mug on the ground, probably calculating how upset Mom would get over the mess.
“Where’d she go?”
“To get coffee.”
I released a small bit of pressure on him and slammed him back against the refrigerator once more. “What shit came out of your mouth?”
“Offered her a good time. Guaranteed to be better than with you.”
What? Red hazed my brain with the need to hurt him.
I leaned in, hoping my breath reeked as foul as my mouth tasted. “Stay away from her. You might’ve been able to pull that shit with Maya, but don’t ever with Amber. You’re lucky she didn’t cut off your nuts. She’s good at neutering. You do something like that again, and I’ll put the scalpel to your balls myself.”
“Her loss. Not like I’m super into her type, but I figured she’d be happy to get her freak on.”
I punched him. Direct hit to the nose.
Brock wailed and cradled his face. Blood oozed down over his lip. “You broke my fucking nose.”
“Serves you right for being a dick. I can’t believe you said that. Amber has more integrity than anyone in this entire house. I’m packing us up. No way are either of us staying here.”
“That girl’s a liability who brings nothing to the table. What can she do for you, Ian? She can’t do a single thing to help your life or your career. She’s got no wealth, no connections, and a marginal job in the service industry. She’s worth no more than a fling. Definitely not worth getting this worked up over.”
I stalked toward him, grumbling low. “That woman paid her own way through school, supports her entire family, and is the most intelligent and stubborn person I’ve ever met. She’s hands down the best vet I’ve ever seen in action and is right now wandering on her own through the city to get away from you.”
I stormed out of the kitchen. With jerky movements, I stuffed all of Amber’s belongings into her suitcase. I’d apologize later for the crap packing job. I collected my things, took a quick shower, and called the driver—the oneIhired, not my parents. We wouldn’t leave San Francisco yet since I still hadn’t gotten my few minutes with Dad, and we agreed with Marianna to stay until tomorrow. If we didn’t do our time here, I feared what new thing she’d force us to do. Staying meant there was an end in sight. I wouldn’t examine how the thought of only seeing Amber for four to five more weeks filled me with despair.
But I refused to remain in this house.
In the car, I texted Nabi:Have you heard from Amber?
Nabi:Yeah, hon. She’s right here. We’re down at the waterfront grabbing coffee. Her, me, and the camera dude.
Ian:Your usual place?
Nabi:Yep.
Ian:Be there soon.
I marched into the small coffee shop and squinted into the darkened atmosphere. I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until I found them at a window table. Somehow, I feared she’d be in line at the airport buying herself a return ticket. I wouldn’t blame her after yesterday and then this morning.
Holy fuck. She was so naturally beautiful.
