“Is that even possible? JD’s not his dad or anything,” I retort without thinking.
Ethan snorts, and Tenley narrows her eyes slightly. “Not that it’s any of your business—but yes. JD and I share domicile custody, which basically makes him one of Ethan’s guardians. In fact, thanks to our family lawyer, JD legally outranks Ethan’s biological father.”
I clear my throat and look away, kicking myself for putting my foot in my mouth again. “Sorry. I, uh, I’m sure I’d have known all that had I taken the time to read through his chart more thoroughly.”
“It’s fine, Doc,” Ethan volunteers. “We’re not exactly a normal family. One minute I was living with my grandparents, and the next, I’m begging my football coach to stop walking around the house in his drawers.”
I laugh shortly. “Well, if there’s anyone who understands what it’s like being the coach’s kid, you’re looking at him.”
Ethan smirks at me, to my surprise. “Or is that just something guys your age do? Go around in their underwear in front of all their roommates?”
I blink. “Uh, I don’t know. I can’t say it’s a common practice for me.”
“See, he respects his roommate’s wishes,” Ethan says to Tenley. “It’s not so hard.”
She clicks her tongue. “You’re not a roommate, you’re a tax deduction. And give JD a break. The last time that happened, it was the middle of the night, and he was delirious from trying to soothe a crying baby. You’re more likely to get accidentally flashed with a boob around the house these days, anyway.”
“Ew. Who wants to seeyourboobs? Right, Doc?” Ethan turns and nods to me.
My eyes widen and flash to Tenley’s, and she immediately reaches out to slap Ethan’s arm. “Stop that,” she scolds him through her teeth.
Ethan shrugs, still staring me down. “I mean, unless he’s seen ‘em before?”
Tenley’s jaw lowers. “Ethan Paul Robin, what has gotten into you?”
“The tea,” he replies, leaning back and crossing his arms.
I glance back between the two of them. “What’s …the tea?”
Tenley narrows her eyes at him. “Gossip. He must have heard we dated a long, long time ago. And I imagine he thinks it’s funny.”
“Oh. Why would that be funny?” I ask dryly.
Now they both turn to look at me. “Because it’s awkward,” Ethan says. “And because it pisses JD off.”
“JD has nothing to be upset about,” she mutters. “We were in junior high when that happened, and we’re all mature adults now. Right, Dr. Reed?”
“Technically, I was in high school.”
Tenley glares at me. “So, how about that referral, Doc?”
“Yep,” I say, realizing she’s annoyed at me, too. “Just let one of the receptionists know which orthopedic you’d like Ethan to see, and I’ll sign off on it. Anything else I can do for you today?”
“There is this one spot on my lower back—a weird freckle. Mind taking a look at it?” Ethan ventures, a smile playing at his lips. “You remember, right? I mentioned it to you the other night on the way back from the wedding reception.”
I inhale when it hits me. Ethan was the one who brought Daisy and me home after my sister’s wedding when I was too drunk to drive myself. That means … he must have heard some of the stuff I said to her.
“I think you’ve managed to jog my memory,” I say quietly.
Just then, baby Jake fusses again, squeaking until he releases what sounds like a full load into his diaper. Tenley whimpers, clutching the blanket against them.
“I think that was another blowout.” She turns to Ethan. “I’ll meet you out front after I change Jake. Behave yourself, or else.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he croons. She shoots me another apologetic look before she shuffles out of the room with the diaper bag, leaving me alone with Ethan.
“What do you want, kid?” I ask.
He raises his brow. “What’s going on with you and Miss Daisy?”
