Finding Stone (The Stone Brothers Series) (Volume 1) (7 page)

I am coming out of the office when I witness Brayden and Molly in the hallway. She is crying and he has his arm around her. What happened now? I hope it isn’t Avery.

“Incoming. Construction worker fell from second story. ETA five minutes.” Katherine yells. I take off to the ambulance bay. Brayden comes out to wait with me.

“Wonder what we are going get? I bet broken back.” Brayden always loves a good trauma. He doesn’t pick the easy cases.

“As long as it’s not another gunshot.” I say.

“Yeah. No gunshots. After the other day, I think it’s enough.”

“It was chaos.”

“Yeah. I hate that the new girl was there. She’s really nice.” Brayden says and instantly I am jealous.

“I saw her crying. Is she doing okay?”

“No. I feel bad. She is here all alone. I gave her my number. She said she didn’t have anyone and she’s scared.”

I feel like a total douchebag. Why didn’t I go that route of being friends instead of kissing her? I don’t want her to call Brayden. I don’t want her either. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’ve gone nuts. Certifiably insane.

Finally, Friday. I have made it through yet another day. Brayden and I had lunch again today. We talked about our families this time.

I learned he is the only boy and has five sisters. That must explain the ease I feel with him. I tried to get him to reveal his crush. He wouldn't. I can rule out Avery. I asked him if it was she and he looked at me and said, “ I wouldn’t touch that skank with a ten foot pole!”

I am about to finish my charting, along with Missy, a nurse who works part-time. She doesn't say much. I don't take it personally because she seems to always be very quiet. I like her, though, because she is one of the few people who don't laugh when someone makes a snide comment towards me. She offered me a reassuring smile earlier when I asked where the lap pads were and that twat Avery said that I need to start learning where stuff is. I wanted to say "DUH, that is why I am asking."

"They're jealous, you know," I hear her say, pulling me out of my state of irritation.

"Who? Jealous of me?"  

"Yes, you. The other nurses are jealous." She says it so quietly that I find myself leaning closer toward her.

"Why? I haven’t done anything."

"They see the way the men look at you. In particular, Dr. Stone."

"There isn't anything going on." Great! Gossip. I am the mistress slutty nurse. Just great! I hate gossip. Well, at least if it's about me.

"I know. I believe you. My name is Missy. Sorry I haven’t introduced myself before."

I like her, especially since she didn't jump on the gossip about Molly wagon. "Thank you, Missy."

"No problem. I just didn't want to see you fall into a trap of theirs. Myself, I keep my head down and do my work so I can go home." Yep, she sounds just like me, trying to get in and out without rocking the boat. Well, at least that's me when I'm not in trouble.

"Missy, would you like to come out with me tonight? I am meeting some friends over at Hansons. I know we don't know each other but I appreciate you not believing the rumors," I ask, hoping she will say yes. I need all the friends I can get.

"I think I can get my mom to watch my son," she says and I am surprised.

"You have a son? I would have never guessed. How old is he?"

"No one does. No one talks to me. Guess if you don't fit the bitchy mold or help to spread gossip, then you're not interesting enough. He's seven.”

"I want to say congratulations and I don't know why," I laugh. I wonder how old she is. Surely, she can't be more than a year older than I am.

"Well, thanks on the congratulations. Its seven years late, but I appreciate it," she laughs. It's so giddy I have to laugh too.

"9 p.m., be there," I say putting away my chart. I'm excited. I'm making new friends and I'm starting to feel like I'm a part of something.

I'm ready to have some fun and let loose.

Molly is walking out the door. I need to talk with her. After talking with Brayden, I realized that I never checked on her afterwards. I’ve been in Iraq. I’ve seen shit that would eat a person alive. To someone like me, what happened here took no time to get over. I hate the loss of any innocent life. As harsh as this may sound it’s just life. Molly hasn’t seen the things I’ve seen. I can’t image what’s it’s doing to her. I feel like a douche.

“Molly? I’d like a moment if that’s okay?”

“Is this work related?” she is reminding me that she only wants to speak to me if it’s work related. Why did I kiss her?

“Well, yeah I guess, I wanted to see how you’re doing.”

“I feel like I am learning how this E.R. works.”

“I mean how are you doing after the shooting. Any nightmares? We have grief counselors if you’d like.”

“Nightmares? Not too bad. A few, but I’ll be okay. I just need time to get my head straight.”

“You should talk to someone.”

“Like who, Dr. Stone? You? Are you ordering me too?”

“No. Not yet.”

“Is that all?”  

“Yes. That’s all.”

I watch her walk away. It takes everything in me to not follow her. I need to stop thinking about her. No, I need to get laid.

When I got home, I called my parents. Dad was going on about the high school football team. Every year he holds out faith that the Rams will make it to state. They never do. Apparently the team started two a days. Yes, my dad goes to most practices in the summer.

I don't care too much about football, but I enjoy hearing about my old high school. Mom is trying her hand at baking. I cringe.

Growing up, I was very thankful for the church folks who would bring over dinners. My mom is amazing. Her cooking is not.

After hanging up, I go to my closet to try to pick the perfect outfit. After twenty minutes of rummaging, I decide on a tan baby doll dress. It has a shelf bra and it comes to the middle of my thigh. Not too short and it doesn't make me look like a nun. I pick out my favorite pair of cowgirl boots. They've not been worn since being here.

I blow out my long hair and add a few large loose curls. I don't want to wear too much make-up because I plan on dancing and sweating tonight. I put on a little mascara and some lip-gloss, strawberry, of course.

It's 8:30. I hate waiting when I am this excited. This week has gone by so fast. I feel like I have lived a lifetime in five days.

Thankfully, I've thought very little about Dr. Hotty Asshole. He speaks to me in a way no one else has. I thought there might be something between us. I just didn't think that something would be another woman.

I need to clear him from my mind because I don't want to be depressed. I decide I need to forgive him, not for the kissing part but for the yelling and making me feel like a child. I don't know what's going on in his life. Whatever it is, it seems to be killing him. I don't want to add to his stress.

I want to take my time walking to Hansons. I need to unwind. I can feel the tension building up. I look over to see a cop car. I wave because it's the polite thing to do. A uniformed cop comes over.

"Where are you off to?" Why does it matter to him?

"Just going over to Hansons." I only tell him because he's a cop.

"Well be careful on your way home later. Drunks are always out late at night."

"Thanks. I will." Is it just me, or was that weird? Letting it go, I walk into Hansons.

Spotting my entire group, except Missy and Brayden, I start walking over. Then I notice Brayden is already at the bar. HOT DAMN.

He's in a Henley shirt, light blue jeans, his hair is spiked and he is wearing his best accessory, his smile. I walk over to let him know I'm here.

"Hey beautiful. You look hot," he says twirling me.

"Me hot? Look at you!" I say because I mean it.

"Wanna head over and meet my friends?" I ask.

"Go on over. I am waiting on my drink. I'll meet you there," he says with that beautiful smile.

Again, I start to head over when I see Missy coming through the door. She looks at me and then she looks down at herself. No, she will not feel bad about herself. I won't let it happen. So, I hurry over to greet her.

"Hey girl. Glad you made it." She looks cute, mom-ish, but cute. She is wearing a pair of sandals to match her pretty emerald green V-neck and white shorts that make her look super cute. They are short and I am surprised to see her wearing them.

"Oh my God. Why is he here?" She says bending down acting like she is going to tie her shoes. I hope she doesn't feel foolish when she realizes she has on sandals.

"Who?" I say while bending down with her.

"Brayden. Crap." It dawns on me. She likes Brayden. I wonder if this is Brayden's love. It makes me happy. Yes, Missy is worthy of a man like Brayden.

"Did someone lose a contact?" Brayden asks laughing.

"Ah. Um. No, I accidentally stepped on Missy's foot," I say looking at him. He takes in the sight of Missy and instantly freezes. Yep. This is her.

How was I supposed to know?

"Oh? Well it had to hurt like a bitch with those boots on," he jokes.

"I'm fine. I can't stay long. I have to get my son and get him home. He has been with my parents a lot since I went back to school," she says. I think she's lying.

"You have a son?" Brayden asks sounding surprised. Oh? He didn't know.

"Yep. He's seven." Her voice cracks, but she smiles.

"Well hey, lets head over and get this night started," I say because I want to break the tension that is building. I guide them towards my friends.

We all make our introductions. I notice Brayden took my advice. He isn't going to stay in the friend zone tonight. He pulls a chair up for Missy.

"Where will you sit?" She asks noticing all the seats at the table are taken.

"Right here." He sits down and for a second I thought he was being rude until he pulls her into his lap. Awww. I am totally jealous right now.

I'm standing outside Hansons waiting on my brothers to arrive. It's my 35th birthday. I tried to bail on dinner and drinks, but Maddox called me earlier to let me know Molly was dressed sexy and headed to a bar. Like a stalking teenager, I agreed to drinks only if we came here. Maddox knows I have feelings for her.

Evan doesn't. I am pretty sure by night's end he will.

"Why are we here?" Evan slaps me on the back announcing himself.

"Just didn't want to do anything too crazy," I say, and I know it's the lamest thing to come out of my mouth in a long time.

"Uh. Okay. Lets get started. Maddox had to go to his place and get ready. So he won't be here for another thirty minutes."

Hansons is a small bar with a smaller dance floor, not that it is ever in use. Walking in, I see it is tonight. I look over at the dance floor and see Molly with a few girls and a guy. A guy who is dancing rather close to her. Wait, I know him. That's Brayden. Damn, I like that guy.

I also know one of the other girls with her. She's a nurse named Missy. She is usually pretty quiet and I am surprised to see her out and being so carefree.

Of course, there is Kerrigan who is beautiful in her own right, but I can't seem to take my eyes off the girl who has plagued every thought I've had the past three weeks. She looks gorgeous tonight. They are all dancing to MKTO's classic. Molly is holding the bottom of her dress raising it and pushing it side to side.

I'm sure she doesn't realize how many eyes are on her, watching her like I am. I think it's sexy as hell. I feel my dick rising at the sight.

"Hmm. Glad we came tonight. A lot of pussy to pick from," Evan says deadpan.

"Christ. Could you keep it down?" I feel like I am always on repeat with my brothers, probably because pussy is all that is ever on their minds. I admit. Lately it’s all that’s on mine.

"By the end of the night, she is mine." He says pointing to a girl I've seen with Kerrigan before. I don't know her name. He's lucky he didn't try at Molly again. Brother or not, I would have knocked him out if he touched her. Finally, Molly sees me. She looks shocked but rolls her eyes and keeps dancing.

Did she move on? Funny. What would she be moving on from? I'm not hers she's not mine. We take a seat at a table that just emptied.

"What do you want to drink? I'm going to the bar," Evan asks.

"Whatever, just make it strong," I say. I'm going to need something stronger than beer tonight. I think maybe I'm here tonight because I can't move on from Molly if I haven't fucked her. I know I shouldn't. I keep telling myself that I don't get involved with nurses. Try telling that to my dick, though. I've jerked off to the thought of her at least ten times in the last three days.

"Ladies and gentleman," I hear Evan over the speakers. He has to embarrass me. "It's my brother's 35th birthday. Can everyone join me in singing Happy Birthday?"

I'm going to kill the fucker, and with that, all the drunks start singing happy birthday. When it's over, I nod. He, of all people, knows how much I like my privacy. He will pay.