The Sterling Boys(21)

"I need to go," he interrupts, keeping his back to me.

I pull my knees to my chest, too scared and shocked to say another word as he stalks through the bedroom doorway. Within seconds, I hear the hard slam of the front door. I'd offer him a ride, but I'm guessing that would be refused right now.

I shouldn't have ever gone to that party. I shouldn't have ever moved back here.



"Please come get us," Maverick whines through the phone.

It's already three in the morning, and I have a doctor's appointment at eight. There's no way I'm driving two towns over to haul their asses out of jail... again.

"Call Dane or Dale," I mumble.

I refuse to say Kode, considering no one has heard from him since he stormed out of my house almost three days ago. I can't think about that right now. Knowing I've lost my best friend is painful enough. At least now I understand Dane's side.

He didn't feel the same about me. Albeit, he handled it even worse than I did. I still understand, though. I put him in a terrible situation where no one was a winner. His calls after that letter were just awkward, because neither of us knew what to say or do.

"I think they must still be on their double-date, because neither one of them is answering. Please come, Rain."

I roll my eyes. I almost forgot it was the big Friday night dinner. Of course Fiona prefers the rich, spoiled brat over me. Whoa. Wait. Dane on a date? I thought they were just friends.

Ignoring the pang of jealously—okay, bit more than a mere pang—I focus on the two Sterlings at hand.

"Fine," I mutter. "I need to get dressed. I'll be there as fast as I can."

"Corbin, she's coming!"

"The next time the two of you feel like golfing, wait until the course is open," I grumble while wearily climbing out of bed. "And you owe me. Again."

Maverick chuckles as Corbin sings my praises from afar. "Cash in anytime, Rain. Now get your pretty little ass down here and get us out. I don't like the way this guy in the cell with us keeps checking out my pretty little ass."

I giggle loudly while grabbing some clothes, and then I hang up. At least he managed to wake me up from a terrible dream. I just hope that dream doesn't come true later on.



Maverick and Corbin were both still passed out on my couch when I left for my doctor's appointment. Coincidentally, I scheduled the appointment in the same town the two of them were arrested.

My phone rings as I await my results, and I juggle it out of my purse, fumbling it around a few times before finally getting a good grip on it.

"Hey," I answer, not bothering to look at who's calling.

"Where're you at?" Maverick asks, seeming sober and happy.

"Ridgewood. I had to fill out some more paperwork for you guys," I lie.

I need to mix truth with lies in case he needs me to meet him somewhere. I can't say I'm close by and not be able to back it up. I also can't let them know why I'm here.

"Shit. Sorry, Rain. Corbin and I will meet you there, and we'll grab something to eat. My treat."

"No," I blurt out, feeling my body flush.

"Yes," he rebuts. "We have to pick up Corbin’s car from the parking garage there anyhow. We're on our way. Chill out. We'll behave. Besides, the golf course is open now."

I half laugh, but what if they get here before I'm done? A doctor's office is fickle on how long it takes them to finish.ba

"Um... fine, but meet me at the restaurant."

"You sound... edgy. You only sound edgy when you're doing something shady. You had so better not be flirting with that dickhead cop."

I burst out laughing as I think back to Officer Charming who was more than obvious in his attraction to me. I was starting to worry Corbin and Maverick were going to end up back in jail if I didn't get them out of there.

"I'm not—" The doctor walks in, and my eyes grow wide. "I have to go. Jupiter's restaurant. I'll meet you there. Send me a text when you're close."

I hang up before he can say more and before the doctor can say anything in front of him. But apparently the doctor isn't in any hurry to say anything at all.

I hate stoic people. They never give you any warning of what news is to come, and this doctor has the best poker face ever.

"Well?" I ask, smiling and staying hopeful.

The harsh breath he lets out says more to me than anything he can voice. My smile falls and tears threaten to slip out, but I restrain them.

"There are two spots, Rain. We have to do the hysterectomy."

I was wrong. Saying it aloud is worse than knowing it without words. The tears start to fall, and a nurse comes in carrying a box of tissues. I jerk several free and start wiping my face as they stare expectantly at me. When no words leave me, the doctor continues.