Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(20)

“Wow, you have been busy. I just wanted to call and make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine. I have today off.” Grinning from ear to ear, I cleared my throat, knowing I was about to shock the hell out of her. “But I am going out with someone today. Do you want to know who?”

She laughed. “Michael? Or is it that hot doctor you work with?”

I rolled my eyes. “First off, you know Michael’s situation. And no, it’s not Jeremiah.”

“Then who is it?”

“He’s a football player for the Carolina Cougars. His name’s Derek McLaughlin.”

She gasped. “Oh, wow. How did you meet him?”

His truck rumbled down my street, and I watched him approach. “It’s a long story but one I’m going to have to tell you later. He’s pulling into my driveway.”

“Call me back. I have to know the details.”

“Okay,” I said, laughing.

After Derek had called, I’d spent most of my time in front of my closet, wondering what I was going to wear. I’d settled on a pair of denim shorts and a pink tank top, since it was already blistering hot outside. Derek got out of his truck, dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a dark gray T-shirt that hugged his muscles perfectly. He still hadn’t shaved; the stubble was turning into more of a beard. It was sexy as hell.

He rang the doorbell and I took a deep breath. “You can do this, Hayden,” I said to myself. “Just play it cool.” I opened the door, hoping like hell that I didn’t look like an idiot. My heart was pounding so loud he could probably hear it. “Hi,” I greeted him.

Smiling, he slid his hands into his pockets. “Hey, you ready?”

“Yep, I just have to get my purse. You can come in if you want.”

He stepped in while I hurried into the living room for my things. I’d spent all night cleaning in case he did decide to come in. Grabbing my purse, I watched him look around my house. “Your place is cute,” he said.

“Thanks, I like it.”

“I half expected to see a ton of animals in here. Do you not have any?”

I shook my head. “Not until Patch comes. I’ve been working so much to build up my practice that I haven’t had any time for my own pets. That’ll change when I stop working so late.” I walked out the door and he followed me, shutting it behind him so I could lock it.

“Are you from around here?” he questioned. He opened the truck’s passenger door for me.

I looked up at him, shaking my head. “Raleigh, actually. I moved here about eight months ago and started working at Stonebrooke. I like it here.”

“I do, too. I’m originally from Oneida.”

After I was in, he shut my door and went around to his side. The inside of his truck smelled exactly like him. Once he got in, we were on our way. “Oneida, huh? Sounds like a small town,” I said.

He chuckled. “It is. I grew up on a farm.”

“Did you have horses?”

“Six, as a matter of fact,” he said with a grin.

“I’m so jealous right now. I’ve always wanted one, but we lived in the city. One of these days, I’ll get one.”

“What made you want to move here from Raleigh?”

I shrugged. “It just felt right. One of my professors is a friend of Wilford Bentley, the owner of Stonebrooke. He was looking for a couple of doctors to work for him, and my professor thought I’d be a good fit. She couldn’t have been more right.”

He pulled into the parking lot of the pet store and parked. “So you’re happy you made the move?”

“Definitely.” We got out of the car and walked side by side into the store. I grabbed one of the carts and started down an aisle. “Are you happy you joined the Carolina Cougars? I’m sure there were a gazillion teams who wanted you.”

“I thought you didn’t like football. How would you know if I’m good or not?” he asked, challenging me.

“My friend Michael told me. He’s a fan of yours.”

“Ah, is that your boyfriend?”

I giggled. “He’s just a friend. We’ve known each other for years. He moved up here with me to take the other opening at Stonebrooke, but in a few more weeks, he’ll be moving back to Raleigh.”

“So he’s a veterinarian, too?” he asked.

I pointed him toward the dog food aisle. “Yep, we went to college together. He’s more of a city boy, though. That’s why he’s moving away. He got offered a job at a bigger and better practice.”

“And you’re staying?”

I nodded and let out a sigh. “Yeah. I’m going to miss him. He’s the only friend I have down here.” I pointed to a bag of dog food. “That brand will be good for Bear.”

Derek picked it up and put it in the cart. “That’s not true. I’m one of your friends, or at least I think I am.”

“I just met you.” I laughed. “In order to be friends, you have to spend more time together. With your busy schedule, I doubt you’ll have time to hang out with me.”

“Want to bet?” he challenged.

I stopped midstep and faced him. “Seriously? You really want to bet on this?”

He shrugged. “Why not? I think it could be fun. Believe me, I need a little bit of that in my life.”