Page 19 of Doctor Mile High
Wyatt and Waylon are in their mid-thirties. Contrary to how they’re acting now, they are mature, kind, good men. Anytime we get together, though, it’s as if we forget we’re grown adults and revert to our younger days.
“Come on, Winston. Why did we even have to find out like that? We don’t even know who you’re talking about.” Waylon seems bothered that I didn’t come to him.
I didn’t even think about it. Not because I don’t love my brothers, but because of how ridiculous it sounds when I speak the truth out loud.
“Waylon. Wyatt. I didn’t hide anything from you. Not intentionally,” I add before either one of them can argue with me.
“What is going on?” Mom asks, sounding so confused. “What are they talking about?” She peers up at my dad through gray eyelashes. “What are you three talking about?” She shoots her icy daggers at me, not filled with love like they were moments ago.
“Winston met someone,” Wyatt starts.
I hold my hand in the air to stop him. “Enough with the damn childlike attitude, Wyatt. I kept this to myself for a reason. Noteverything needs to be shared all the time. This was mine to tell you about when I was ready. What you saw was my last resort.” I place my elbows on the table and narrow my eyes at my brothers, then focus on Mom. “I met someone in Costa Rica. Remember when I went on vacation?”
“We remember,” Dad says, holding Mom’s hand. “So what’s the big deal? That’s great. When can we meet her?” His voice booms through the restaurant with excitement. “Am I finally going to be a grandpa? I never thought I would be at the rate you three are going. Slow as fucking sloths, I tell ya.”
“I’m going to be a grandma?” Mom gasps, cupping her hands over her mouth. “Oh my. I never thought.” She begins to sniffle, dabbing her under eyes with a napkin. “Winston, I’ve waited so long to hear you say that. With you turning forty-five, I kind of gave up hope you’d ever settle down and have child.”
I frown. “Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. Damn, Mom.”
“Don’t curse at your mother,” Dad scolds, pointing a finger at me. “Don’t act like she’s wrong either.”
“Okay, this is getting out of hand. No one is pregnant. I’m not having a baby. You can’t meet her because I don’t know how to find her.” I press my palms against my eyes and groan. “Waylon and Wyatt are talking about the video I made on social media. I can’t find her anywhere, okay? I hired a private investigator and it didn’t work out. My assistant had me make that video and I don’t even know if it will work.” I can’t hide the defeat in my voice. “I need to try, though, because it was the best night of my life when I met her. She changed something in me. She made me want more and I haven’t felt that in a very long time.” I take a long swig of my gin and tonic. “That’s that. That’s the truth. Can we move on now and stop with childish antics?”
“Sorry, Winston.” Wyatt says. “We didn’t know it would bother you so much. We’re sorry. Tell us about her. What was she like?”
“Yes,” Mom chimes in with a big smile. “Talk to me about my future daughter-in-law.”
I scoff a laugh. “I have to find her first, Mom.”
“You will. Someone who makes you feel like that? That’s destiny. You’ll find each other when the universe says you will.” She gives my face a soft pat. “You deserve good things, Winston. I hope you don’t stop looking for the lady who made my boy want good things for himself again. Because that’s okay, you know, to want for yourself.”
“I have everything I need, Mom.” I stare into her watery blue eyes, hating the wrinkles that have formed.
She tsks. “That’s different than everything youwant.”
I didn’t realize until now that those two things are not the same.
5
DOVE
I walkthrough the door after the hellish day I had to see Hanson setting the table. The smell of a home-cooked meal has my stomach turn in hunger and guilt. I never thought of Hanson as anything more than my best friend. In all the years of our friendship, he has been my safe place. Shelly’s words are in my head now.
But Hanson would cook for any of his friends.
“Hey, you’re home. I hope you don’t mind that I cooked dinner? I was starving after setting up the nursery.”
I blow out a breath of relief. If Hanson ever admitted he has feelings for me, I know our friendship would be over. I can’t wrap my head around that possibility yet. I’m not ready to even think about what my life would be like without him. All I can do is hope Shelly is wrong.
“I don’t mind at all. I’m starving and exhausted and a little sick and a little wired and my feet might fall off my body.” I sit down at the table, groaning in relief.
“That’s a lot going on.” He places an entire roasted chicken in the middle of the table on the red serving dish my mother gifted me at Christmas.
That familiar sinking feeling in my stomach returns. I did not have a whole chicken in the fridge. He had to go buy it.
“I had the chicken delivered. I will admit, I cooked none of this because the best I can do on a good day is boil water.”
It’s like he can read my mind. I suppose after being friends for so long, we can read one another’s thoughts in a way.
