The Man Who Has No Love - Victoria Quinn Page 0,56
great…”
“I know. My patient’s numbers have dropped incredibly. Cholesterol is down, so the treatment is reducing the chronic inflammation in the body. I’m going to give him another dose and see if these numbers get even better.”
These were the moments I lived for—when we actually made a difference. But I wasn’t as excited as I usually was because there was so much shit going on in my personal life.
Dr. Hawthorne must have gotten to know me well enough over the last few weeks to recognize my moods, to know something was wrong. “Everything alright, Deacon? You seem a bit…distracted.” Since my reaction wasn’t that big, maybe it was a dead giveaway.
“I’ve just…got some stuff going on.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“No.” I wished I had someone to talk to about this. Cleo was my person, but I couldn’t talk to her. She gave me space like I’d asked, didn’t text me at all, even though we hadn’t spoken in over a week. “I’m having relationship problems…”
She nodded slowly. “With Cleo?”
I turned to her, surprised by her accurate guess.
She sighed loudly. “I’m really sorry about that whole thing. If I’d known—”
“Please don’t apologize.” I was embarrassed we were having this conversation at all because of Cleo’s stupidity.
“Well, if these problems are caused by that night—”
“They aren’t. I just found out some stuff about her…and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
She was quiet for a while, like she didn’t know what to say. “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, you have my number. I’m not a relationship guru or anything, but I am a woman and I do share your intellect. I might be able to give you some advice.”
“I basically found out she lied to me…about some serious stuff.” I didn’t know why I was talking to her. I guess I was just so lonely. I didn’t want to talk to Tucker about it because I already knew what his response would be.
She nodded slowly. “All I know is trust is pretty important in a relationship. And if it’s not there, nothing is there.”
Tucker texted me. Hey, favorite brother in the entire world. I’ve got a favor to ask.
I was in the back seat of the car on my way home from work. I’m your only brother.
Therefore, you’re my favorite.
What do you want? It’d been almost two weeks since Cleo and I had parted ways. Time passed quickly because I focused on work so much. But it also passed slowly because I was angry, sad, miserable…and everything in between.
Can I use your beach house this weekend? He sent a grinning face emoji.
I’d probably never use it again, so I didn’t give a damn. Yes. The place was haunted by Cleo’s ghost, by the happy weekend we’d had there, the two of us…in love. I wasn’t sure if I could go to the cabin either, not for a long time. It was supposed to be a special place for Derek and me…but she somehow became a part of that.
Great. Can I come by and get the key? Or can Cleo drop it off?
Come and get it. If I sent Matt, it might raise questions I didn’t want to answer.
Be there in thirty minutes.
When I arrived at the building, I headed straight to the elevator, never looking at the office in the rear because I didn’t want to see Cleo at all. It didn’t matter how hard she’d cried in my condo. I was still so fucking pissed off that I couldn’t see straight. She lied to me, and she made me look like a fucking idiot.
I stepped inside my condo and barely had time to change before Tucker’s knock sounded.
“It’s open.” I went to the fridge and grabbed a beer.
“What’s up?” He shut the door behind him and spotted the key on the table right away. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. “Pria and I had such a good time last time. I’d tell you why it was so good, but you’d probably tell me to shut up.”
I walked into the living room with my beer in hand, wearing my sweatpants and a t-shirt. “Have a good time.”
“Why don’t the two of you come with us? It’ll be fun.”
I wasn’t going anywhere with Cleo. “Maybe another time.” I moved to the couch and took a seat with the bottle held in my grasp.
Tucker slipped the key into his pocket. “You want to watch the game or something?”