The Hardest Hit (12 page)

After a few rounds with the strike bag, Trevor and Domenic took a break. The handsome boxer made his way over to her and Daniella.

He pressed a kiss to Chelsea's cheek, then addressed his trainer, “What's up, boss? Do you need me to get you something to eat?”

“That's the problem with being pregnant,” Daniella addressed Chelsea. “Everyone is always trying to feed you.” She smiled. “I wanted to make sure that when it comes to Domenic's right hand—”

“That he's snapping the jab,” Trevor interrupted. “I'm on it. I noticed the lag time when we switched from partner sparring to the strike bag. His level of intensity dropped, probably because he was hitting foam instead of my gloves.”

His trainer nodded as he continued. “That's indicative of a loss of mental focus. He's holding back on the power shots because he knows he's basically hitting air.”

“So what are you going to do about that?” Daniella challenged.

“Up the weight on the gloves,” he answered with full confidence in his voice. “That will give the impression he's hitting something besides a foam-covered stick. Anything else, boss?”

Daniella's smile widened. “My work here is done.” She outstretched her arms and gave Chelsea a squeeze. “I know the clinic sits right across the street, so don't be a stranger. He's always better when you're around.”

Heat rose in her cheeks. “Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.”

Leaving them, Daniella made her way back toward her office.

Trevor greeted Chelsea with another light, but loving kiss. “What brings you by, gorgeous?”

God, she loved it when he called her names like
baby
and
gorgeous
.

“I have a new doctor for you.”

He took a step back. “Really? That's great. Wait. It's not another one of your exes, is it?”

She playfully slugged him in the arm. “No. Dr. Foster is a friend of my mom. She's excited to take your case. But, I'll warn you, she's tough. There's no charming her. She doesn't usually take new patients, but for me she said she'd bend the rules.”

Trevor smiled, “Oh, I know I'd bend some rules for you, baby.”

Chelsea choked out a laugh. “You never quit.”

He shook his head. “Not where you're concerned. So, when do we see this new big, tough doctor?”

“Two weeks from today. Until then she told me to tell you to keep doing what you're doing.”

He leaned in close and whispered, “You mean like fucking you every chance I get.”

“Yep.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Doctor's orders.”

Two weeks later, the phones at the Central Las Vegas clinic were ringing off the hook. Patients sat in the waiting room, and Chelsea's group of volunteer nurses was working their butts off. No way in the world did she expect the massive need on this side of Vegas to be so great, not to mention a nasty strain of the flu had people waiting outside. In line. For hours.

She triaged one patient after the next and dispensed medicine as fast as she could form the diagnoses. Thankfully Trevor's doctor appointment wasn't until the afternoon, giving her time to catch up, and finally support him for once.

After three knocks, she opened the door to exam room one. “Mrs. West. It's nice to meet you. I'm Doctor Fox. What brings you in today?”

Although Mrs. West ran through the details like a checklist, after one quick glance Chelsea knew Mrs. West didn't need to say a word. She looked like a half dozen of all her other patients. Feverish. Pale. They moved as if they were in slow motion, and complained of nausea and vomiting.

After hearing her symptoms, Chelsea said, “I'm going to test you for the flu, Mrs. West. Since it's only been a day since you started feeling bad, I think we're still in the window for the anti-viral drugs to work.” Chelsea held a swab. “Okay, open your mouth.”

The patient did as she was told and Chelsea rubbed the cotton along the back of Mrs. West's throat. “There,” she said. “All done.”

The woman took both of Chelsea's gloved hands in hers. “Thank you. This community has been waiting on people like you to show up and help us.”

Chelsea's heart melted. “We're glad to be here.”

“This place is outstanding,” Mrs. West continued, “Whoever got this place up and running so fast is a godsend.”

Tears welled in her eyes. The outpouring of emotion from Mrs. West overwhelmed Chelsea. “Well, his name is Trevor, and I'll be sure to tell him.”

“You do that right away,” the sick lady instructed.

It was true. He was a godsend, or a downright miracle. Trevor had been such a huge help from the moment she got the idea for the clinic, to opening day, to right this second. He'd even readily forgiven her when she had to postpone dinner plans and cancel date nights because patients at the clinic came in long after closing hours.

What would she do without him? She hadn't a clue. And she never wanted to find out.

She exited the room and found her knight in shining armor headed straight for her.

“Chels . . .” Trevor said as she walked up to the reception area. “Your dad is in exam room three.”

She let his words settle upon her as a pang of hesitation wound through her core. Her father was here. What did that mean? Obviously he wasn't sick. Her dad would never come and see her for care. He must need to talk. She steeled her nerves and winked at Trevor. “Thanks, babe.”

She took another moment before pushing her way past the reception area. She came to the door of exam room three and knocked.

“It's me, Chelsea.” She recognized her father's voice in an instant. Pulling the door open, she walked into the small room.

“I didn't expect to see you here, Dad.” Her voice didn't hide her shock.

Edward Fox gave a chuckle from someplace deep in his throat. Tall and commanding, the revered eye surgeon looked as if he not only owned the place, but had purchased the entire block. With his white hair expertly combed, Chelsea's father, wore sand-colored silk trousers, a white dress shirt, and a navy blue blazer. He looked as if he had stepped straight out of a magazine ad for Ralph Lauren.

Even though Chelsea was a full-grown woman, her father still seemed like the biggest man in the world to her. Sometimes she hated how small she felt underneath his stern glare.

Her father straightened his jacket. “I never would've come down here to interrupt this hobby of yours, but I've sent you three texts this week, none of which you've responded to.”

Chelsea swallowed hard. She'd been blowing her dad off for weeks, and, as she suspected, his patience had started to run thin. “Sorry, Dad. I've been so busy with the . . .”

He put up his hand, stopping her midsentence. “There's no need for excuses, Chelsea. I know you don't want to participate on the board of MediPharma.”

A sense of relief ran through her. “Oh good. Dad, I'm so happy you understand.”

He shook his head. “Not so fast. I've already committed you for this, and MediPharma doesn't have all day to wait around and see if you'll show up or not. The first meeting is at three o'clock this afternoon. I've told them you'll be there.”

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Okay.”

“This is good experience for you, honey.” Dr. Fox shoved his hands in his pockets as if he were afraid of catching something from her clinic.

She looked around the tiny room. “With all due respect, Dad,
this
is good experience for me. Did you see the place for yourself? Can I give you a tour?”

His face contorted. “No need. I took a look around.”

A weight pressed down on her heart. “What do you mean? Do you not like the place? Did you see how many people are out front? It's a huge success.”

He let out a loud breath. “Chelsea, anything free is successful. I'm guessing about half the people sitting in the waiting room could pay for these services you're so intent on giving away. You'll be bankrupt in a year if you keep going like this. You need this board position to replenish the funds you're actively depleting. In today's healthcare environment, it isn't about success, it's about survival.”

Her mouth hung agape. “I thought you'd be proud of me.”

His eyes, which were the same color as hers, narrowed. “I am proud of you, sweetie, and MediPharma is going to be a great opportunity to make me even more proud.”

So that was it. His pride was attached to her doing what he wanted. As her lips slowly closed, she bit her lip to keep from saying anything she might later regret.

“I'll make the meeting. I won't make you look bad.” Her shoulders slumped, and her voice took on a sheepish tone.

“Great.” He rose up on his toes. “Now, would you care to show me out?”

She didn't, but she was raised to respect her elders and show manners at all times. “Sure, right this way.”

She led him out of the room and down the tiny hallway. Along the way, she forced him to take a good look at the clinic. She gave him a guided tour of the place herself. He walked through the makeshift X-ray room, and closet-sized laboratory. “We like to call it full-service, lite,” Chelsea joked.

Her father looked amused. She wouldn't call how his face blanched a look of pride or even one of appeasement. When his eyebrows weren't hiked halfway up his forehead in surprise, he pulled them down in a bona fide scowl. The man simply couldn't be pleased.

“And this is our reception area.” Chelsea guided her father closer and closer to the front door. Then she stopped at Trevor, who was sitting at the front desk. “Dad, I'd like you to meet Trevor, my boyfriend. He's been integral to getting this place set up.”

Her father stuck out his hand to shake Trevor's.

Trevor stood. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

Chelsea held her breath. She knew introducing Trevor to her father at the clinic was either a good idea or the worst timing in the world.

“Nice to meet you too, son,” Her father examined Trevor's T-shirt. “Stamina? The boxing place?”

“Yes, sir, I'm training to take on Dion Nash.” Trevor's voice lined with pride.

Dr. Fox looked over at his daughter. “Brilliant idea, hon. You rolled your receptionist and your security guard into one. Now that's what I call cost savings.”

No one laughed except Chelsea's father.

Trevor's hand closed in a fist. Chelsea knew he wouldn't punch her father, but balling his hand told her he was under stress. Big time. She reacted with the only thing she knew . . . avoidance.

“Okay, Dad, well, thanks for dropping by, and checking out the place. Pleasure seeing you, as always.” She ushered him toward the door.

Her father nodded, taking the hint. “Three o'clock. Don't be late.”

She stopped at the door and opened it wide for him. “Nope. Wouldn't miss it.”

Chelsea waited until he was out of eyesight before closing the door. Her gaze locked with Trevor's and her eyes widened. She rushed to him. “Come with me.”

He abandoned his post at the reception area and followed her into exam room three.

As soon as she closed the door, she grabbed him in her arms. “Honey, I am so sorry. I didn't expect my father to come by. I didn't prep you for what he was like. He insulted you and I'm so embarrassed.”

Her hero stood strong. Without a word, he curled an arm around Chelsea. “So, that was your dad, huh?”

She lifted her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes. I swear I didn't know he was coming or I would've told you what a jerk he can be.”

Trevor gave a nonchalant shrug. “It's okay. I've dealt with people like him before. Usually I've also had the opportunity to knock them out, but he's your father. I'll show restraint,” he joked.

She grabbed a hold of him, pulling him closer to her. “We've been telling him for years his jokes aren't funny.”

“Too bad he hasn't listened.” Trevor kissed the top of her head.

She allowed herself to relax in his arms. She held on to him as if he were her life raft in a sea of confusion. “Please don't be mad.”

His grip on her loosened. “Mad? I'm not mad. Disappointed, sure. I was hoping he'd be a boxing fan. Mad? No. Him being a jerk isn't anything to get mad about.”

She looked up, read the frown on his face, then raised up on her toes and pressed a simple kiss to his lips. “Maybe I can turn that frown upside down?”

He kissed her deep and slow. She knew they had only a few stolen moments but she planned to make the best of them. Pressing her body into his, she deepened their kiss. Oh, how she loved the taste of him. So sugary. Like honey, only sweeter. She simply couldn't get enough. Her tongue met his and swirled in a wicked dance. Oh, what his simple kiss could do to her. She couldn't name the way her body reacted. So many different varied things. He took all of the demands of her life away with just one kiss. He made her feel like the sexiest woman in the room with a simple brush of his lips. All of her obligations and their insignificant details seemed distant when she was with him. That was what she loved the most. How he made her feel.

When they broke apart, she gazed into his eyes, taking a few more moments all to herself. Right then and there she wanted to tell him that she loved him, but the mood changed in the room as his forehead creased.

“Wait a second. What's going on at three o'clock?” Trevor released his grasp.

A pause. Wait. What?

“Oh,” she said, coming down off the high he'd given her. “Uh, MediPharma board meeting. I promised my dad I'd be there.”

Trevor wore a confused look. “No. You can't. You had me clear your schedule because you were accompanying me to Dr. Foster's office for the first meeting.”

Air left her lungs. She lifted her hand and planted her palm firm against her forehead. “Oh no. That's right. How could I have forgotten?”

Trevor's muscles visibly hardened. “You said you didn't care about the board meeting. You said you weren't going to answer your dad, and you'd be at the appointment to give the new doctor all of the background information since Evans flaked. Did you forget?”

She blew out a slow, calming breath. “I did.”

His body stilled. God, she hadn't intended to let the biggest day of Trevor's life slip her mind. Dr. Foster was going to be the one to clear him and allow him back in the ring. She'd said she'd do everything in her power to make that happen. There was no excuse for her absentmindedness. She'd been so busy, so distracted, and she no longer saw him as her patient, but as someone who could take care of her. Yet, she'd forgotten her responsibility to take care of him.

“I'm so sorry.” Tears started to well. If he didn't accept her apology right then and there, she might break down.

His body stilled. All his muscles hardened. She knew he wasn't happy, but he didn't say a word.

Her mind raced until she came up with a solution. “I'll call Dr. Foster right now and give her an extensive rundown of your history. Then, after your appointment I'll leave strict instructions for her to get back with me.” She gave him a pleading look.

“That's okay,” he said flatly. “You have enough on your plate. I can manage the appointment myself. It's my health after all, and my shot at getting back into the ring.”

His words formed a bullet and struck her right in the heart. She couldn't feel any worse about losing track of her day.

“Okay.” She lowered her head, and he pulled from her and left the room, leaving the door open.

Her shoulders slumped. She was going to beat herself up for days. Forgetting Trevor. How could she? After a beat, one of the volunteer nurses poked her head inside the room. “Dr. Fox, you're needed in exam room two.”