“Yep, and I think I saw some of your family on a couple of those shows. It was really sad. You might want to help them out.” I punched him in the arm, and we moved onto the free weights.
Forty-five minutes later, I was sweating my ass off and ready for a shower. I let the hot water run over my body. My mind was clear for the first time in quite a while. I closed my eyes and relaxed. My mind went back to those last few moments with Rita at the dog rescue. The feel of her body against mine. The small taste of her lips. The feel of her breath washing over my skin.Fuck. If I didn’t stop, I was going to end up jerking off. If I were at home, it wouldn’t be an issue, but I was in the middle of the fucking gym shower and there was nothing private about where I was standing.
I rushed to finish, making sure I didn’t spend too long on my cock, and got out. Rylan was getting released today, and I wanted to make sure I was there in case he needed anything or if something went sideways. Perhaps later I’d make another call to the hotline and ask for Rita. She might not think we needed to talk about what happened, but I knew we did. Our next meeting was in a couple days, and I wanted this settled before I walked into her office.
I rushed through getting dressed and out the door. It wasn’t until I went to plug my phone up to charge that I noticed I had a missed call and a new message.
“Play messages.” I instructed the phone after I turned on the car and pulled out of my parking space.
“You have one new voicemail.” The computerized female voice spoke through the radio. “Hi Major Harris.” The voice changed to Rita’s. “I’m calling to inform you that because of unforeseen circumstances, I won’t be able to continue your sessions.”
“What?” I practically screamed.
“I’m sorry for any inconvenience this might cause.” She kept going. Her voice was completely professional and devoid of emotion. I’d done that voice myself when delivering bad news. “I’ve referred you to a colleague, Aspen Archer. She has all your information and already has you scheduled for Wednesday at eleven.” That was tomorrow.
“Again, I am sorry for any inconvenience, but I believe this is for the best. Good luck with your sessions. I’m sure you will be back to your patients soon.” The voicemail ended.
What the hell? If Rylan didn’t need me I’d turn the car around and drive right to her office, but I wouldn’t do that to my team. Especially after my talk with Devon.
Dana shook her head when I walked into the room. “I should have known you would find a way to be here.” But she let me stay.
I kept a smile on my face and made sure Rylan got out of the clinic without any complications. When he made it home, the rest of the guys were there. The evening turned into one big barbecue and an overall fun night. I laughed with them and joked and did all the things I was supposed to do. I was the leader that I had forgotten to be while not in uniform.
Later that night, while lying in bed trying to sleep, I played Rita’s message over again. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was about more than our attraction. Did this have something to do with my seeing her at the hospital? Was something seriously wrong with her? What the hell was she hiding?
I called the hotline and repeated the same thing I told them the first time they put me through to Rita.
“Please hold while we contact your therapist.” I waited, but it didn’t take long for them to return. “Just a second.” The phone clicked, and then there was an unknown voice.
“This is Ms. Archer.”
I pulled the phone from the side of my face and looked at it in confusion.
“Where is Rita?”
“May I ask who’s calling?”
“Stewart Harris.”
The line was silent for a quick moment. “Ah, Major Harris. Your file was transferred to me. I have you scheduled for tomorrow. Ms. Fontaine is no longer your primary therapist.”
I ran my hand through my hair. “I need to speak to Rita.”
“If you’re in crisis I can help just as easily as Ms. Fontaine.”
“Fine.” I grunted. “I’ll see you in the morning.” I hung up. She didn’t even care enough to say goodbye to my face.
I put the phone on my nightstand and turned out the lights. Hopefully, she’ll be at the office when I get there tomorrow, and we’d be able to talk before her coworkers reported I was stalking her and I never got back in uniform.
Chapter 8
Rita
I’d been on edge ever since seeing Stewart at the hospital. I hadn’t cleared him to return to duty, but I should have known that wouldn’t stop him from checking on his guys. He told me he could have a one-track mind. I guess I should have believed him.
For days every sound, every footstep, every time the phone rang, I knew it was him, but it hadn’t been. I made sure to come in later in the day last Wednesday when I knew he was meeting with Aspen. Since then it was like he had simply disappeared. I knew I should be relieved, but I wasn’t. This was just more evidence I did the right thing by transferring him to Aspen. If I had seen him one more time, who knew what would have happened.
My trip to Colorado Springs couldn’t have come at a better time. I was half tempted to spend the entire weekend here, but I didn’t want to waste the money. It was better to do my shopping, run the errands I needed, and head back home before the weather took a turn. They weren’t predicting anything, but this was Colorado. Stand still long enough and the weather would change right around you.
