Page 22 of Draft Pick
“We’re just worried about you, Briggs. Nothing more. Nothing less. You’re getting older. Not that it’s a bad thing,” Gus elaborates. “But you gotta take care of yourself. That little girl in there needs you, man.”
It’s at this exact moment that I shift my head to the right and spot Addie in all her glory. Apollo sits solo at the child-sizedtable with her green crown on top of his head, and scattered tea party dishes laid out before him. Addie paces in front of him with her fairy wand in hand, pointing at Apollo in direction.
Their deep-bellied laughter can be heard from outside, and I know I don’t need to worry about Apollo’s ability to speak, much less run away.
“Poor kid,” I mutter, knowing exactly what it feels like to be personally victimized by Adeline Briggs. Oddly, it’s also my greatest joy. “If he knew what was good for him, he’d run.”
Our laughs echo across the outside walls of Tenley and Gus’ home. “He’ll learn when he’s thirty,” Gus says while Tenley jumps in with a sudden question, “Oh, Crew. I forgot to ask. How do we like the new doctor in town? I still can’t believe Dr. Wolk retired. He never heard a word I said, but Apollo loved him. I hear the vibes are very different with the lady doc.”
Differentis a mild word to describe the change. Superior is more up to speed with what comes to mind. Dr. Wilde is just…better. I finally feel like we’ve found someone qualified, who not only respected my thoughts as a parent, but found a way to honor them all while keeping Adeline’s health the main priority.
“I like her. Think she’ll be a good fit for the community.”
Silence stretches between us before Tenley speaks, “You like her? What does that even mean? Was Addie scared of her? Does she have a massive wart on the tip of her nose? Does she smell like sugar? Talk at NASCAR speed? You’re gonna need to give me a little more than that, my friend.” Gus has clearly learned what’s good for him in regard to his wife because his lips are sealed.
I huff on a soft chuckle. “Exactly what I said, Ten. I like her. She seems cool. Well educated. Like she has a plan and will do a lot of good for the kids in the community. Addie loved her. Maybe a little too much, actually. She invited her to our opening game last week.”
“Wait, did she actually come?” Tenley asks, and I nod. “That’s really fucking cool. Could you imagine seeing Wolk at a Strikers game?” she shrieks in hysterics.
“She and Addie hit it off right away. I’m glad for it because it made the entire appointment that much smoother. Aside from her walking in on me doing a fucking curtsy. Bow. Or whatever it’s called.”
“You didn’t…” Gus gasps.
“Oh, I sure as shit did. Only had about three seconds to recover before she joined in on the royal experience.”
“I love her already,” Tenley declares, reaching for a cube of cheese to go with her red wine. “Apollo actually has a check-up this coming week, so I’m excited to meet her. Maybe we’ll become best friend?—”
“No,” I cut her off. “I mean, she’s a doctor and really busy. Just moved here and everything. Might not be the best idea.”
My friends look at me like I’m an absolute lunatic, and right now, I’m not convinced they’d be wrong. “Odd reaction coming from you,” Gus draws out, an unknowing smirk playing up the side of his cheek.
“Interesting…”Who invited Tenley here anyway?“I’ll ignore that weird outburst…for now. But hear me out, Crew, if I think she’s cool, I’m inviting her to hang out. Moving to a new place as an adult fucking sucks when you have no friends. I won’t be that girl who doesn’t look out for girls.”
Goddamn it.That’s not what I meant, but I think deep down, I also know that Tenley will hit it off with Dr. Wilde right away. Maybe she can also find out her first name because theDr. J. Wildesign on the building door does me no favors. Not that I’m itching to know her name. I’m not, but for other purposes, it might be helpful.
You know, in case she starts coming around.
Or she might not. Maybe she’s already made an army of friends in Atlanta and doesn’t need any more. Yeah, that’s a possibility. I’ll hold onto that.
“Do whatever you need to do. Won’t bother me,” I tell Tenley, and something about my attempt at a truth feels sour. It’s not exactly a lie, but seeing the alluring doctor on opening day last week took me by surprise.
There’s no way it was because she looked like a fucking knockout in a black Strikers shirt that resembled more of a dress in length with laced boots. She had on those black-and-emerald-green leopard-print reading glasses I remember from before; everything about her outfit was a drastic contrast to the woman practicing medicine for children in every color of the rainbow.
I’d have been a foolnotto notice her.
Even her jet-black hair was pinned straight down her back, only adding to the dark and ethereal pull she emits. Dr. Wilde is not your typical woman, that’s for sure. Sweet when she works, sassy when she plays.
Unfortunately for me, a combination I enjoy far too much.
Fucking hell. I shouldn’t be analyzing how my daughter’s pediatrician dresses. But I’ve never learned the easy way—only five feet from the bottom.
Tenley sends Gus a mischievous look, and I know plotting when I see it. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” An alarm sounds from inside, catching our attention. Gus abandons his cigar and stands, arm stretching above his head. “Fuck, I’m starving.”
I appreciate the change in subject and stub my cigar on the ashtray. “Same. I could use a good steak right about now. Thanks for hosting, Graves. Next time, we’ll do my place.”
Gus pats my shoulder as Tenley leads us into the house, the smell of charcoal-grilled steaks, veggies, and Caesar salad the only thing on my mind. “Anytime, brother. Keep me updated on that arm. Don’t wanna see you making it worse.”
I nod, appreciating his care. “I promise. I plan to start more rigorous therapy next week. Hopefully, that’ll help. If not, I guess I have no choice but to follow up with an orthopedic.”
