“The old forced proximity trope,” Tank nods sagely.
“You are not doing that,” Blanche growls, poking a finger in my direction. “That woman has been through hell. She needs to learn who she is. ” All the Ol Ladies in the common room nod in agreement with her.
“You need to let her fly, brother,” Marx says, slapping a big fucking hand on my shoulder.
“Besides, it’s not like you’re in the best position to claim her and Kit, even if that’s what you want to do,” Chewy adds, sitting cross legged on the floor with Laney and Chomper.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I growl.
“What?” Chewy looks up at me, head tilted. “You’re super busy all the time. Even if you could convince Joy to fall in love with you, she’d still spend the majority of her time alone with Kit, with you working between Rose Grove Medical Center and the ER.”
“She has a point there, Doc,” Gus adds and I flip him the bird.
I want to argue, I really do, but fuck, she’s not wrong.
Marx lets out a breath, “I think you know what to do. Let her heal, spread her wings, but be there for her. Be her friend -”
“- but don’t be her friend just to get into her pants, we hate that,” Mira butts in.
“I would never be her friend just to get into her pants! That’s not what this is about -”
“Good. Then be her friend and if it grows into more then it’s meant to be. You can’t force this shit, kid.” Pops adds, “In the meantime, while you’re letting her live her life you can loosen up your hours and fucking smarten yourself up. Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
“Thank you for your kind, and comforting advice Pops,” I reply sarcastically.
“You’re welcome. You get your shit together, then come see the Love Pres -”
“- And the VP -”
“ - And the Chaplain,” Rider adds, hand in the air.
“Wait, why the fuck do we need a Love Chaplain?” Pops asks, whirling to look at Rider.
“Oh, you’ll need me alright. With two engagements over Valentine’s, most likely thanks to my boudoir shoot, I went and got ordained online. I can marry all these fuckers.”
“Oh Jesus, no,” Vi whispers in horror, clutching Jules’ arm.
“Oh Jesus, yes!” Rider points a thick finger at me, “Don’t worry, Switch, when it’s your time, I’ll make myself available to you.”
“I gotta get the girl first.”
“You will. I have faith in you. Besides, we’ll all help,” Mira says cheerily.
Shit. That’s what I’m afraid of.
Chapter 1
Switch
“So, what do you think?” Joy stands at the kitchen sink, sunlight pouring through the window, lighting her auburn waves to look like a perfect sunset. She picks at her thumbnail as she peers up at me.
She’s a different woman from the one I stole away in the middle of the night to save her and her daughter from Travis Fucking Hitchens. She can look people in the eye a little more, she’s made friends with the Ol Ladies, and she’s started working part-time as a receptionist at the medical center in town. Yes, the same medical center I work at full-time now since I gave up the ER to get a better work-life balance. And to see Joy and Kit more, but she doesn't need to know that.
“I like that it’s close to the clubhouse and it’s not too big for maintenance and things,” Joy trails off, looking more and more nervous.
“I think it’s a great place, Joy,” I soothe.
But I don’t think it’s a great place. A great place is my place, where she and Kit currently live. Yeah,it may be in my guesthouse, but they’re still there, on my property where I know they’re safe and sound. But as all my meddling brothers and their Ol Ladies have told me, I can’t keep Joy and Kit there forever. And I get it. Watching Joy’s shoulders relax and the smile grow on her face at my words, I know she needs this. She needs to spread her wings and discover who she is on her own. Without me. Which makes my fucking ass cheeks clench because it goes against all my natural instincts to give up something I want so bad. I blame my parents for having six fucking kids. Gingers at that so we were all firey, ill tempered little shits with not enough to go around. Which meant when you got something you fought to keep it.
