Shattered Edge(81)

“Me too. You have any extra blankets?”

“You bet.” I pulled the new ones out of the bags we bought today. “Sorry they haven’t been washed yet.”

“Are you serious? This is heaven compared to some of the shit I’ve slept on.”

“Good night Preston. Thanks for everything today.”

“Hey, I’m glad to be here Caroline.” He winked and I shook my head. I’d never get used to being Caroline.



********



Two weeks later, I “bumped” into my sexy new neighbor when we both walked outside on our way to get some coffee. It just so happened we were both headed to the same place. And we had something else in common. We’d both just moved here. His name was Justin Middleton and he was an orthopedic surgeon specializing in repairing shattered bones of all kinds, mainly accident victims.

Tall, dark and unbelievably hot, he smiled and I was smitten. Exactly like the first time. I invited him over for dinner the next night. He asked what I did and I told him I was a freelance research analyst. I was currently looking for work, so if he knew of anyone needing someone, I was available. He winked and I winked back. And so it went...the second time around. I think I can safely say for the both of us that we enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time.





CHAPTER THIRTY ONE





Justin



My family hosted a farewell dinner for me. They did their best to persuade me to stay...I had to hand it to them. Pearce and Andrew pulled me aside during the cocktail hour and we had a little brotherly chat.

“Man, I have to say, you look the happiest I’ve seen since...well, you know.”

I smiled and said, “Yeah, I know.” I wanted to really smile and shout out from the roof tops, but I couldn’t. So I acted reserved and held my elation in check. “I think it’s the idea of starting a new life away from here. Getting rid of the painful memories and making some new ones. I always liked Seattle, although I’m not looking forward to the gray skies, but who knows. They have a great ortho program there and I feel honored to have been invited back as an attending.”

Pearce clapped me on my back and Andrew did the same.

“Well, Big Brother, I’m gonna miss your mug around here,” Andrew said.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I guess you’re just gonna have to step in and fill my shoes then, huh?”

Avery, my grandmother made her entrance and we all went to hug her. In front of everyone, she announced, “I’m glad you’re getting out of this town Justin. You’re the first Middleton that’s had the balls to do something like this. The rest of us have all been too damned chicken.”

The whole family started laughing...well, everyone except my mom. I hugged my grandmother and whispered in her ear, “Just what I needed. But you know my new home won’t be complete unless you come out to visit.”

“Oh you can count on it. At least I won’t have to bring a damned bikini!” She gave me a big wink.

Lexi hugged me and told me how much she would miss me. Of everyone here, she understood the most. Of course she would. She had been in that terrible accident with her boyfriend and he had died as a result if it. She blamed herself for years and tried her best to destroy herself over it. She had to leave her home in Virginia because of it, so she was totally on board with me moving and starting a new life. I wished so badly I could tell her that her best friend was still alive, but since I wanted to keep Caroline that way, there was no way I was ever going to speak those words to anyone.

After dinner was over, everyone wished me the best and left me with Mom and Dad.

Mom was crying and Dad was trying to calm her down.

“Mom, it’s not like you can’t hop on the Middleton jet and come and visit once a month,” I chided her.

“I know that, but I feel like you won’t ever be coming back here.”

I looked at her and knew I couldn’t be anything less than honest. “Mom, you’re right. I won’t be. Charleston isn’t home any more. It’s filled with too much unpleasantness that I need to free myself from. Leaving here and the idea of beginning a new life has brought me hope that I haven’t had in a long time.”

“I can see it, it’s just that I’m sad that you won’t be here.”

“I’m not the first son to ever leave home Mom.”

“I know, but your my first son...and all the way across the country.”

“You dealt with it before and you did just fine. Charleston isn’t my home anymore. My heart isn’t here.”

“I know Justin. I’m just being selfish. Go. Be safe. And have a wonderful life out there. And Justin, meet a nice girl that will love you like Terri did. Don’t settle for anything less.”