Page 22 of For the Love of Scott
“Mr. Hudson?” Lucy appears in the doorway. “Dr. Farmer would like to speak with you now.”
Scott nods and moves past Ben. “Don’t wait,” he says for Ben’s ears only and is gone.
Ben stands frozen. Murmured voices carry from down the hall as Doc tells Scott whatever she’s learned. And Ben is here alone and, now, unwanted.
He has to go, has to get out of here.
He plods back to the front, shoving his hands into his pockets.Shit.He has Scott’s keys. Fishing them from his pocket, he leaves them on the front desk and stumbles outside. The night air remains balmy beneath the cloud cover.
The parking lot is empty, save three cars. Ben doesn’t have a ride. Either he calls someone or he walks the ten blocks to his office. At one a.m. on a Friday, walking it is. He has no desire to explain why he needs a ride. He has no explanation.
Twenty minutes and ten blocks later, Ben is no closer to understanding what happened, or why Scott broke up with him before they’ve even gotten started. His head is throbbing and his eyes are scratchy. His throat hurts from swallowing back tears and the string of obscenities he so badly wants to shout at the top of his lungs. His bike sits tucked up against the wall of the brick bungalow that houses his business. He’s half-tempted to crash on the sofa in his office, but no matter the chaos and the crazy, home is where he’ll find comfort.
* * *
Five long, lonely, crappy days later, Scott steps into the warmth of Ben’s accounting firm office. He isn’t here to get Ben back.
What he’s done is unforgivable. He just needs to explain his mindset. Nerves and not weather are the source of his trembling hands, although another cold front has blown in.
Ben’s receptionist and assistant, Patty, looks over from the monitor screen. To her credit she doesn’t frown, but on his previous work-related visits, she’s always had a smile for him.
“Um, hi…I came by to talk to Ben if you think he’ll see me.”
Her gaze strays to the cup in his hand and her face softens just slightly. She pulls the glasses from her face and lets them hang on her chest from the chain around her neck as she pushes her padded frame to her feet. “C’mon,” she murmurs.
He follows her into the short hall that leads to the two accountants’ offices.
She knocks on Ben’s closed door and opens it far enough to stick her head in. “There’s someone here to see you,” she says.
“Who?”
Scott’s heart somersaults at the sound of Ben’s baritone. He’s missed it.A lot.More than seems possible after only a few short days as a couple.
Patty pushes open the door and Scott steps into Ben’s line of sight. He takes a breath. “Me.”
Ben’s eyes go wide, and his lips part as if taking a surprised breath. His gaze darts to Patty and he says, “It’s fine,” and stands.
Patty returns to her desk and Scott hovers in the doorway feeling very unsure of his welcome. Well, he hasn’t been cussed at or immediately thrown out, so that’s something at least. His heart thrums hard.
“How’s Sylvester?” Ben asks tentatively, either fearing his answer or worried about bringing up the topic. Considering it had been Sylvester’s accident that had precipitated the chain of events that led to this awkward meeting, Scott can’t blame him.
“Oh, he’s good. He’s fine.” Scott nods, feeling the relief all over again. “He came home a couple of days ago.”
“What was the diagnosis?”
“Shock and temporary paralysis. A couple of cracked ribs.”
“Well, shit. How?”
“Based on where we found him and his condition, Dr. Farmer thinks he probably lost his balance or footing and fell off the top of the kennels. The distance and impact on his little body were too much.”
Ben shakes his head. “That’s—God, that’s crazy.”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, listen, I’m glad he’s all right.”
Scott nods again. “Thanks. Me too.”
