Avoiding Amy Jackson (8 page)

I chuckle slightly. “Yeah, I really like it here. I fell in love with Charlotte when I did my residency at Eden Medical Center, despite the fact that working under hard-ass Dr. Borman wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. There’s just something about this city that feels like home, and I’m glad I opened my practice here.”

“I’ve heard about Borman and I’ve never heard anyone speak nicely of him. He’s a brilliant fucking surgeon though. You lucked out with that residency.”

“Is this you indirectly trying to tell me I’m your hero and you look up to me?” A small smile creases my lips.

“Shut the fuck up,” Trent replies sarcastically. “But seriously, you’re planning on being here permanently? No second thoughts about the move? I mean, you basically just picked up and moved to Charlotte, left all of your family and friends back in Cincy.”

“No second thoughts. It was definitely the right move. And honestly, most of my closest buddies are guys I met in the Marines and they’re scattered across the country. The only people I really left behind in Cincinnati were my family,” I answer without regret.

“How are they taking it?”

I clear my throat after I take a sip from my water. “My mom isn’t exactly thrilled that her only child is seven hours away, but my parents are currently enjoying their retirement by traveling the country, so it’s not like she’s sitting around crying her eyes out. How is your family handling your change in residence? Seattle is a lot farther away from Charlotte than Cincinnati.”

“Eh, they’re okay with it. I think my mom is more excited about the possibility of Ellen and me getting married and giving her grandbabies.” Trent laughs and shakes his head.

“Well from the looks of it, I’d say marriage is inevitable for the two of you.”

“Yeah…actually…” Trent pauses for a moment. “I’m going to propose to Ellen,” Trent pronounces with a megawatt grin plastered to his face.

“
Really?
Congrats, man. I can’t say I’m surprised, but that’s pretty huge,” I say, acknowledging his announcement with nothing but excitement.

“I know. I went shopping with your friend Amy yesterday. She’s been covertly getting ring ideas from Ellen.” My eyebrows rise immediately at the sound of
her
name.

“How’s Amy?” I lamely question.

Trent chuckles at my unsuccessful attempt in sounding unaffected and kindly puts me out of my misery. “She’s good, her usual sarcastic self.” Trent knows that this woman has me more than intrigued. His amused expression is evident.

I decide to leave my pride outside of the cafe and work towards gaining as much information about the enigma that is Amy Jackson. “So…do you know if she’s dating anyone?”

Trent’s forehead crinkles in mild curiosity. “Amy Jackson does not date. I would have thought you of all people would have at least that figured out by now.”

I look at him skeptically, silently mulling over his last statement. “Yeah, I understand that Amy Jackson enjoys indulging.
A lot
. One-night-stand kind of indulgence.” I automatically wince when that last sentiment rolls off of my tongue and burrows itself inside of my chest. “But that can’t be all she does. Has Ellen ever talked about Amy being in a relationship or dating a steady guy for any length of time?”

Trent shakes his head with three determined, concise movements. “Nope. Like I said before, Amy Jackson doesn’t date. I’ve had this conversation with Ellen and I recall her saying, ‘The last time my best friend had a boyfriend, she was fifteen years old.’”

My jaw goes unhinged. “
Fifteen?”

“You heard correctly.”

“
Holy shit
. It’s like she uses brazen outward displays of sexuality to protect herself from something…” I trail off as I consider this idea.

Does Amy avoid relationships and focus on one-night stand bullshit because she’s actually avoiding something? I don’t really get it. I know she comes from a good family. I can’t fathom what she could have in her life that is so bad that she avoids any type of emotional attachment.

“Any luck on that situation? Is she still in mega-bitch mode whenever she’s graced with your presence?” he questions with an interested tone.

“No luck. I’m still walking around with blue balls from the other night at the bar. That girl left me high and dry on the dance floor, used my own words against me.”

I wanted her so bad that night.

I can still taste the sweet saltiness of her skin. I can still feel the soft curves of her body pressed against me. The sound of her sharp intake of breath and momentary second of weakness are still present in my brain. They’ve been on constant repeat like a popular pop song on the radio. The only difference is that I feel like I’ll never get tired of them, never get bored with the lyrics. I’m only left desperate for more.

“Yeah, I saw that. She’s quite the pistol. Ready to give up yet?” he asks with curiosity.

“
Never
. I’m never giving up. I’ll get on her good side eventually. I realize I could sustain more physical injuries, but it’ll happen.”

Trent grins with hilarity, and I’m sure he’s thinking about the handprint she left ingrained on my face the day I helped Ellen move. “You are a masochist.” He points his index finger in my direction. “That woman is a fucking puzzle, and I think you’re in over your head, Williams. She’s out of your league in a ‘you’re never going to understand her’ kind of way.” Trent relaxes back in the booth, his elbows resting comfortably on the table.

I bet it’s easy to be relaxed and content when you’ve found the woman you’re meant to spend the rest of your life
and
she actually returns your affection. There’s just something about Amy. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. Something that has me more captivated than any woman I’ve ever met. Yeah, she’s sarcastic and has the ability to be the biggest bitch on the planet, but there’s more to her. There are secrets behind her eyes, a vulnerability that she hides behind her outward display of blatant sexuality and total disregard for caring about what anyone thinks. I want to know her secrets. I want to make her vulnerable. I want to see the tender side she hides from everyone.

She’s turning me into a pussy.

“I’m going to take a different approach,” I declare, more for myself than for Trent.

He sits up a little; both elbows still rest on the table as he places his chin in his hands. “I’ve gotta hear this.”

“I’m going to talk her into being friends first, and I’m going to use your precious soon-to-be fiancée as ammunition. And then once I get on her good side, I’ll get on her
better
side.”

Trent runs his hand across his forehead as he peers up at me in incredulity. “I can’t wait to watch this all unfold. I hope it works out for you, man. I really do. But I have my doubts. If I know anything about Amy, it’s that she does not respond well to being backed into a proverbial corner.”

I smirk as I recollect the memory of the other night.

I definitely attempted to back her into a corner on the dance floor. Yeah, we were right in the middle of the bar, but I tried to use her obvious attraction to me in hopes that she would let that ironclad guard down.

“Don’t doubt it. It’s going to happen. And if I have to pull your ass in to help me, you’ll fucking help me.”

He holds up both of his hands instantly. “Whoa. How in the hell did I get roped into this? I have no desire to get on Amy’s bad side.”

I point my index finger towards him with a pointed expression. “You’ll do it because I helped you pull off that ridiculous profession of love for Ellen via karaoke at Murphy’s Pub.”

I’ve got Trent right where I want him. He can’t deny my part in helping him pull off his little performance for his soon-to-be fiancée. I was the one who went to the bar and got everything set up and ready to go so Trent could sing his heart out to the lyrics of Ray LaMontagne. Yeah, my buddy is quite the romantic. Despite the fact that his terrible voice and off-key singing leaves a lot to be desired, Trent’s big romantic gesture managed to sweep Ellen right off her feet. They’ve been together ever since.

“What is it with this woman that has you reducing yourself to scheming for her affection?”

His inquiry has me racking my brain for a specific reason or a definitive response. “I have no idea, but I’m going to find out.”

“Well…” Trent hesitates for a moment before lifting his glass and saying, “Here’s to helping you find out.” We clink glasses, solidifying his willingness to join in on my cunning plans to get on Amy’s good side.

The waitress interrupts our conversation when she places our plates of food in front of us and flirtatiously asks if there is anything else we need. Once she leaves our table, I’m left with one of the most delicious sandwiches known to man. I’m also left with a head full of scattered thoughts that are all wrapped up in one woman—
Amy
.

Maybe it’s just the fact that she’s a challenge that has me so fascinated?

I let that question roll around in my brain for a few moments and then send it back where it came from. I know Amy
is
a challenge. She’s a puzzle, an absolute conundrum of questions. She is feisty and sarcastic, strong and beautiful. Amy has a tender side that I’ve witnessed on more than one occasion in the emergency room when she didn’t think anyone was watching. And for some crazy fucking reason, I find myself wanting to be on the receiving end of that tenderness.

Cheers to gaining Amy’s friendship, the fact that I’m now a total pussy, and the hope that I come out of this scenario with my balls still intact.

Chapter Six

“If he’s at least twenty, sexy, and has a cock that can thrust,

then I say let the boy stick it in your honey pot.”- Amy

“All right, spit it out. Give me
all
of the dirty details about Ryder?”

Lizzy is sitting on the edge of my bathtub, chatting with me while I get ready for work. Her face flushes crimson as she looks down at her bare, perfectly manicured toes. She tucks her auburn hair behind her ear. “W-what…what do you mean, dirty details? There are no dirty details. Ryder is my trainer.”

I cough out a laugh as I throw my hair up into a bun. I look at Lizzy through the bathroom mirror. “
Oh, come on.
You don’t have to act like you don’t realize how ridiculously hot he is. Just admit it. You’re digging Ryder!”

“Oh my god! He’s twenty-four. I’m thirty-four. For one, I’m far too old for him. And two, I’m still technically married.” Her stiff demeanor and worked-up expression help prove one thing—I’m one hundred percent right about her attraction towards that sexy piece of muscly man meat.

“I think you should take advantage of this very cougar-esque situation. Can you even imagine the kinds of things you could teach him? I’m picturing a whole lot of scenarios, and the majority of them include Ryder giving you some serious face-time. His-face-all-up-in-your-snatch kind of face-time. Plus, I know you’re technically still married, but you’re actually in the process of a divorce.”

Her eyes immediately meet mine and I see a wealth of emotions in her hesitant expression.

“Has something changed with Matt that you’re not telling me about?” I ask with uncertainty.

Lizzy made her way to Ellen’s and my doorstep a few months back. She traveled all of the way from Louisville to escape the melancholy life she had been leading with her husband. And by some crazy circumstance, she made the decision to put herself first, which meant becoming a permanent fixture in Charlotte. Things have not been easy for her. They’ve been difficult and heart-wrenching and completely miserable at times. But she’s working through it. She’s finding the woman she lost after she became Mrs. Matt Montgomery III. I honestly couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s made a complete three-sixty from the drunken mess I found on my doorstep. Lizzy is finally doing what she wants. She’s taking classes to finish her teaching degree and making a new life for herself—one that includes being happy.

“I know I’m in the process of a divorce, but I’m still feeling a little torn. Matt isn’t making this any easier on me. He’s not exactly in agreeance that divorce is our best option. He’s still hoping we work things out,” she responds in a small voice and bites down on her bottom lip, indecision radiating off of her in waves.

“Just remember that you have to do what is best for you. Not what Matt wants. You need to do what Lizzy wants. Do what’s going to make you happy. And I gotta say, I think Ryder might be the guy to give you just that.”

“I know I need to do what makes me happy,” she breathes out with a sigh. “Despite the fact that he’s really playing the guilt card, I’m certain that I’m doing what’s right. I’m doing what’s best for me. I just hate that Matt is making me feel like I’m gaining happiness at his heart’s expensive.”

A few moments of silence descend upon us, and I give Lizzy some space while I finish getting ready for work. She continues to sit on the edge of the bathtub, and I can guarantee she’s silently mulling over everything in her head.

“And the fact that you think Ryder could be the guy that makes me happy is absurd. Do I need to remind you that he’s twenty-four
and
my personal trainer?” Her question pulls my focus from applying my makeup back to her internal dilemma.

“Well I’m twenty-nine and I would most definitely be banging that hot piece of ass if he was my personal trainer. Speaking of personal trainers, is Ryder accepting new clients?” I ask nonchalantly as I powder my nose.

“No. No way. No fucking way! You
are not
going to schedule training sessions with Ryder!” And now I’ve got her throwing F-bombs at me. This is awesome and actually a little funny. Lizzy is visibly furious as her eyes shoot daggers into my back. I think the green-eyed monster just made her appearance.

“But why does it matter? I mean, it’s not like you’re attracted to him or anything, so that pretty much makes him free game.” I turn around and face Lizzy, my back resting against the bathroom sink.