One bull isn’t going to ruin this life for me. Not this time. Not ever.
The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the eight seconds.
Hopping free, a cackling laugh leaves me. Riding has always felt like heaven to me. It’s been my place of freedom, solitude, and strength. And tonight it was all those things and more. Tonight, that ride was for me and Tate, and River. For a future that goes beyond putting myself at risk every time I go out there.
With a wide grin splitting my face, I shove the helmet into the first set of hands I see and head home.
My woman is waiting for me.
Chapter 37
River
Partnermeetingsarethebane of my existence. Not only are they held on the days I operate from sunrise to sundown, but they’re also after hours.
The last thing I want to do is sit in our small conference room at six in the evening, while these assholes shovel food into their mouths and talk around me as if I’m not even here.
I am a partner just like they are. Unless we all agree, they can’t make decisions without me.
“Barnes starts next month, so we’ll need to split the back office so he has somewhere to work,” Buckner announces.
I’m suddenly thrown back into the present. I hadn’t been paying attention, distracted by anything except what they were rambling on about moments ago. The annual golf tournament they host for charity every June is their pride and joy. It doesn’t hurt me, so I agree to it. I just have to be there, pretend I can’t play, and shake a few hands. Easy enough.
“Who is Barnes?” I question.
They all stare at me. A few have the decency to look uneasy with the conversation that has to happen. The few that don’t go out of their way to treat me less than, but just follow the ones bold enough to outwardly do so.
“He is a new associate we’re bringing in. Fresh from NYU. He has a specialty in sports medicine. Same as you,” Buckner relays.
“Excuse me? Was someone going to tell me?”
“It was in an email,” Buckner huffs.
“Unlike you, I actually go through my inbox. There is nothing about a new associate. Which means once again you asshats decided you were going to make a decision without me.” My voice is low, the anger barely contained.
“Watch it, River,” Johnson warns.
“Or what?” My palms slam down on the tabletop as I stand, narrowing my gaze on the room full of men who think they are God’s gift to this world.
Their eyes all track down to my hands, but it’s too late to hide what they’re looking at. The diamond ring glaring at them on my finger has stolen the moment. A ring I put back on after my surgeries, the way I have been out of habit, completely forgetting that I should have kept it off for this meeting, too.
“You’re engaged?” Corkman gasps.
“And? That’s not what we’re talking about right now?” I snap. “We’re talking about you all once again trying to undermine me. I am a partner just like all of you. If I don’t sign off on this Barnes guy, he’s not coming. And I will be damned if I am the only one forced to split my office for some guy to come in I had no knowledge of.”
Buckner snickers. “You’re getting pretty angry, River. Are your hormones in order? Any other secrets you have to share?”
My eyes press shut, a deep breath sucked in before I let it slowly release. My gaze narrows in on Buckner’s face. No one is a bigger asshole than him. “No, Donald. I’m not pregnant, but I am pissed.” He quirks a brow as if challenging me. “You know what, bring Barnes in. He can have my position.”
“What?” Billings chokes. “You can’t just quit.”
“I didn’t yet,” I retort. “I have a surgery schedule booked out over a year. I’ll see that through and only add new ones through that time period. In the office, I’ll see return patients, but no new ones unless I’m on call.”
“You can’t do that!” Billings squeaks.
“I can and I am. I’m tired of you all sitting here treating me like I’m not as good or better than you when I am. So it’s time I take my skills elsewhere.”
“Better for us,” Buckner huffs. “You’ll have a horde of babies in no time and then be useless to us anyhow.”
