Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(15)

“You should’ve called one of us to help you, Hayden. I would’ve been happy to come,” Jeremiah offered.

“I didn’t want to bother anyone. Besides, it was nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Wilford patted him on the shoulder and laughed. “Haven’t you learned by now that Dr. Hunter is the stubborn one out of us all?”

“That she is,” Jeremiah agreed.

“Dr. Patton, your first patient is here,” Jessica said, leaning her head inside the door.

Jeremiah sighed. “I’ll be right there.” Then he turned back to me. “Next time, don’t be so stubborn. Call someone.” He walked out, but Wilford stayed.

I yawned and rubbed a hand over my face. “I think I need some coffee.”

Wilford chuckled. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you take the day off? You’ve been here all night, and I can clearly see that you need some sleep.”

“I can’t. I have patients.”

“As of right now, you don’t. They can be split between me, Michael, and Jeremiah. Now go.”

I slowly grabbed for my keys and then remembered I didn’t have my car. “I can’t. My car is still down the street.”

A wide grin spread across his face. “Well, then, why don’t I take you to it? You can’t use that as an excuse, young lady. I promise the animals will be fine while you’re gone.”

“Will you check on Bear for me? He’s the dog I rescued last night.” I didn’t know where the name came from, but it was the first thing that popped out of my mouth.

“Bear?” he asked. “Did you name him?”

“Looks like I did.” I laughed. “He’s going to need help with walking.”

He shoved me out of my office and shut the door. “I’ll handle it. Kellie has a device next door that helps dogs walk. We can put Bear in it and see how he does.”

We strolled up to the front office, and Michael raised a brow when he saw Wilford behind me. “You didn’t get fired, did you?”

“For the day, she did,” Wilford explained. “I’m taking her to her car, and then she’s going home.”

Michael snickered. “I’ll call you later, then.”

Once we were in Wilford’s car, he drove me to mine, and I was thankful it was still where I’d left it. “Thank you for dropping me off,” I said to him.

“You’re welcome, Hayden. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for someone like you to come along.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

He smiled. “You’ll find out soon.”





Chapter 7





Derek


How was it possible to see the same woman almost every day? I couldn’t believe I’d never noticed her before. For the past two days before going to practice, I stopped by the Caramel Café to get my coffee only to see her walking back up the street to the clinic, carrying her own. I’d thought about showing up a few minutes early so I could catch her, but decided against it.

I shouldn’t have been thinking of her anyway. There was no way a woman like her would be interested in a guy like me. It wasn’t like I had the time for a relationship. Hell, I didn’t even want one. However, this morning was the same as all the others. I parked my truck in front of the café and watched her stroll up to the clinic. She wore a pair of pink scrubs that hugged her curves, with her chocolate-colored hair pulled high in a ponytail. Her face was what captured me. It was almost like she had a constant smile on her face, like she didn’t have a care in the world. I’d give anything to feel like that again.

Once she disappeared behind the glass door of the clinic, I grabbed a quick coffee and headed to the training facility. Now that pre-season was closing in, our schedules had gotten more hectic. Our practices were longer, and we were expected to work our asses off. I didn’t mind it. I’d missed putting in the hours.

When I arrived at the facility, Evan was in the parking lot, shooting the shit with Chris and Gavin. Grabbing my gym bag, I got out of the truck; Evan walked toward me while the others continued on inside.

“Are you too good to answer my calls?” he asked.

I shook my head and laughed. Hayden still had my phone. “I don’t have my phone, douchebag.”

“What’d you do, break it?”

“It’s a long story.”

He looked at me, his gaze concerned. “Everything okay? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you much recently.”

After practice, all I’d wanted was to go home and crash. “I’m fine,” I assured him. “And about my phone, I gave it to someone else. I just haven’t remembered to get it back.”

His mouth dropped open. “Gave it to someone?”

“Her name is Hayden Hunter.” The second I said her name, his eyes went wide. “It’s not like that, Townsend. The other night at the tavern, I hit her with the back door and she dropped her phone. It broke, so I gave her mine until she could get another one.”

“Wow, that’s interesting. And I assume you haven’t seen her since?”

I was at a loss for words. “Well…”

“You have?” he exclaimed. “Are you trying to tell me you’re seeing someone?”