Best Foot Forward Page 3

  Brad turned to the source of the voice. Dr. Kara Dickson, one of the fourth year residents in the emergency medicine residency, was sending him one of her hundred watt smiles. Could people tell he was upset? He’d thought he’d hidden it fairly well. The last thing he wanted was to be depressed and grumpy the way Josh had been acting over Charlie.

  He plastered a smile on his face. “It’s six a.m. and I’m not much of a morning person. But I’m okay. How’re you, Dr. Dickson?”

  “Great actually. It seems like all I’ve been doing lately is studying for my board exams. But I’ve got tickets for the Yankees game Friday night. You want to go?”

  “Uhmm... Well I—”

  “Oh! I forgot. You’re dating that little brunette girl, right? How old is she? She looks like she’s still in high school.”

  Brad felt his face getting hot. “She’s twenty-four years old, Kara.”

  “I’m just teasing you,” she chuckled. “I’m thirty-two—practically an old hag. So I’m jealous of those cute-young-things.”

  He laughed at her self-deprecating humor. She was anything but an old hag, and she knew it. At five foot eleven, she was only an inch shorter than him, sporting long thick blond hair and the face of a model. He gave her the expected response. “I don’t think you look anything like a hag, Kara. And since I’m thirty, I don’t think you’re that old either.”

  “Ah, but I’m older than you. So if you ever break it off with that cute-young-thing and want to date an older woman, let me know.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, maintaining his fake smile with great difficulty.

  *****

  Kara saw the flowers walking in the hospital door and the shapely legs beneath them. The bouquet covered the face, but she knew the girl carrying it must be small. She walked toward the flowers.

  “What a beautiful bouquet. Can I help you?”

  “Uhmm... Yes... I’m looking for Dr. Gates. Do you know where I can find him?”

  When she peered around the flowers, Kara recognized the girl Brad was dating. She noted with considerable irritation she felt like Conan the Barbarian with this petite girl around. “He’s in with an accident patient right now. But I can give him the flowers for you.”

  The girl shifted her feet as her eyes darted around the room. She rose onto her tiptoes as if she could see over Kara’s shoulder. “Oh... Well maybe I could wait for a while before I have to leave for school.”

  “What grade are you in,” Kara asked, unable to resist a little dig.

  A cherry red blush bloomed on her cheeks. “I’m a teacher—I teach first grade.”

  “That’s nice,” Kara replied, looking down her nose. “But I really don’t think Dr. Gates will be free anytime soon. He could be in there for a couple of hours.”

  “Oh, I... I really wanted to see him. I wanted to give him these in person.”

  “Why are you giving him flowers? Isn’t it usually the other way around? I didn’t know Brad liked flowers.”

  “He doesn’t... I mean... Would you mind giving them to him and this card, too? It’s really important. Maybe I should wait for a while in case he comes out.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he gets them. And what’s your name?”

  “I’m Grace. And what’s your name?”

  “I’m... I’m Leanne,” said Kara. Why did she give her middle name? And why was she lying to Brad’s girlfriend about his whereabouts? She knew the answer—because this little pipsqueak of a first grade teacher didn’t deserve Dr. Brad Gates. She wasn’t smart enough. She wasn’t sophisticated enough. She wasn’t even big enough. And if Kara had her way, Brad would soon see she was the only woman who would ever be able to satisfy him in every way. She’d even gotten tickets to a baseball game in spite of the fact she hated sports. That only proved she was willing to sacrifice to make him happy.

  “Okay. Thanks, Leanne. Don’t forget to give him the card, too. It won’t make any sense without the card.” Tears glimmered in her eyes as she handed over the vase and the envelope. She glanced toward the inner-sanctum doors one last time before she relinquished her grasp on the objects.

  “I won’t forget. Have a good day.”

  After assuring herself Grace had departed, Kara quickly opened the card. She almost cried out with glee when she read the note. They had obviously had a fight and broken up. This was the best opportunity she could ever have.

  Dear Brad,

  The white chrysanthemums stand for truth—I’m sorry I lied to you. The daffodils express respect—I respect you. I should have respected you before. I should never have judged you to be like all the other guys I knew. The purple hyacinths mean I’m sorry and I’m asking for forgiveness. I know I don’t deserve it, but I am asking for another chance. If you think there is even the smallest chance you could forgive me and we could try again, I’ll do whatever it takes to be worthy of your trust. I’m really confused, and I’m just asking for an opportunity to talk to you.

  Yours and yours alone,

  Grace

  “Nice flowers, Kara,” said Brad as he emerged from the double doors. “Who are they from?”

  Kara slid the card into her pocket. Wow, that had been close. “Oh, just this guy I’m really trying to get rid of. He’s been hassling me for months. I think he found out about those baseball tickets and he’s hoping to rope me into taking him. Are you sure you can’t go with me? Just to keep him from bugging me?”

  Brad hesitated. “I don’t know. I probably wouldn’t be very good company.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Really. I just need to be able to tell him I’m going with someone else. It’s not like we’d be on a real date or anything. Surely your girlfriend won’t mind you helping out a colleague in need. Or is she the jealous type?”

  His brows furrowed. “No she probably wouldn’t care at all. Just a minute.” He pulled out his cell phone and checked his messages. Then his mouth firmed into a straight line. “You know—why not? I love the Yankees.”

  *****

  “No, I haven’t heard from Grace, and I don’t expect to hear from her, either.” Brad slammed the refrigerator door hard enough to rattle the bottles inside. This was ridiculous—he never lost his temper.

  “Sorry. I just thought maybe she might have called you today or come by,” said Josh. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I’m not upset. I just answered your question. I didn’t hear from her and I don’t care.” Brad stared at the apple he held in his hand, thinking he wasn’t the least bit hungry. Had he even eaten lunch?

  “Right. You don’t care. That’s why you almost broke the refrigerator when I asked you about it.” Josh held up defensive palms at Brad’s answering glare. “Look. I know what it feels like to be rejected. I’m not trying to give you a hard time.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Josh said, “I wasn’t trying to make you talk about it. I just thought... Did you check your messages? Are you sure she didn’t call you?”

  “I checked, okay? She hasn’t called. She hasn’t texted.” He didn’t mention he’d checked his phone at least twice an hour for the past four days.

  “Maybe she’s afraid,” Josh suggested. “Maybe you should—”

  “I’m not calling her. You want to know what happened? I’ll tell you. She ditched me and told me she’s dating someone else. It’s over.” Brad put the apple back inside the refrigerator and carefully closed the door. He wouldn’t let Grace change him into an angry sullen man. He couldn’t control her, but he could control himself.

  He made his visage pleasant, or at least he tried. Josh’s reaction indicated his smile might have appeared a little menacing. “Actually, I’m going out with Dr. Dickson on Friday.”

  Josh’s mouth fell open. “You’re going out with someone else? You’re already giving up on Grace?”

  “I’m not giving up on Grace. She gave up on me. She gave up on us. And yes, I’m going to a baseball game with Kara. Why not? Grace i
s dating someone else. Should I just mope around forever over a lost cause like you do?” He regretted the words the second they left his mouth as Josh flinched and dropped his eyes. This was all Grace’s fault—he would never purposely hurt his best friend’s feelings. He scrambled to think of a way to retract his words.

  Josh’s voice was low and full of hurt. “If you love someone, you don’t quit the first time things get rough. And anyway, maybe I think Charlie’s worth the wait and worth the work.” He spun around and moved toward the door.

  “Wait Josh! I’m sorry—”

  Josh never broke his stride, throwing out one last hostile accusation as he left the apartment, “Maybe the truth is you don’t really love her.” The door clicked closed behind him and silence filled the apartment like a heavy fog.

  Desperate to escape the oppressive quiet, Brad turned on the television and sat before it, flipping aimlessly between channels as the minutes dragged by. He was startled at a loud knocking.

  “Ben,” he said, opening the door to reveal a swarthy man with close-cut dark hair and beard. “What are you doing here?”

  “What? No ‘Hi brother! Great to see you!’ or ‘Come inside. What a great surprise!’?”

  Brad chuckled, “Come on in, Brother. As a matter of fact, I’m really glad to see you.”

  Ben strode inside, suitcase in hand. “I hope you don’t mind if I stay a few days, little brother.”

  “I’m four years older than you, little brother.”

  “Yes, but I’m referring to your stunted growth. But don’t feel bad about yourself just because you’re only six feet tall.” Although he only topped him by an inch, Ben never let him forget about his superior stature. He folded his lengthy frame into a chair and let his bag fall on the floor beside him. “And you have that short little girlfriend to help you feel taller, right?”

  Brad swallowed with difficulty. He didn’t feel like having this discussion with his unsympathetic brother who had a habit of yanking his chain at every opportunity. He’d already blown up while discussing Grace with Josh. Perhaps he could change the subject. “Actually, I’m not with Grace anymore. But that leaves me with some free time to entertain my wayward brother. How long are you here for, and what would you like to do?”

  “You’re not with Grace? She’s the only one of your girlfriends I ever liked. How’d you blow it with her?”

  “You only liked her because she laughed at your stupid jokes.”

  “I liked her because she was the only girl with the intelligence to recognize and appreciate my humor and great wit.”

  “That’s only because your intellect is on a level with her first grade students.”

  Ben gave a belly laugh. “That might be why she was attracted to you. That and the fact you’re so short.”

  “I ought to pin you to the floor for that. But we already know who’d win that battle.”

  “Only because you’re fatter than I am. It’s a middle-weight fighting a heavy-weight.”

  “I’m not fatter, I’m fitter. This is solid muscle.”

  “Ha! I’d take you on if you hadn’t already torn my rotator cuff. That’s actually why I’m in town—I’m having a surgery consult.” Ben moved his shoulder, wincing.

  “Are you kidding me?” Brad said. “Who’s your surgeon?”

  “Dr. Blankenstein or Blankenship or something like that.” He fumbled in his pocket, pulled out an appointment card and handed it to Brad.

  “Dr. Blankenship. David Blankenship. I know him—he’s a good guy. Oh man, I’m sorry you’ve got to have surgery on your shoulder. Did that happen when we were playing around last month?”

  “No, you didn’t actually do it. I was wrestling this other guy, kind of on a dare—a former football player. He beat me six out of six times. I guess I should have stopped after the fifth time, but I really don’t like losing.” He laughed again. “But never mind that. Why did Grace break up with you?”

  “Maybe I broke up with her? Why do you assume she broke up with me?”

  Ben leaned back and propped his feet on the footstool, crossing his arms. He appraised his brother from head to toe. “Nope, I don’t buy it. Grace way out-classed your ugly butt. You wouldn’t break it off with her unless you were stupid. Hmmm... On the other hand, you can be pretty stupid sometimes. Maybe you did break up with her.”

  Brad had an urge to wipe the smirk off Ben’s face. He forced his fists to unclench and stretched his stiff neck from side to side. Maybe he could divert the conversation before he tore his brother’s other shoulder. “Speaking of ugly butts, you never told me how long you’re going to be here.”

  “I’m planning to stay through the weekend if that’s okay. I’m doing some business stuff in addition to the surgery consult.”

  “How is your new business going? Tell me again what you’re doing?”

  “I’m creating printed books based on people’s Facebook entries. They just upload their favorite posts and pictures into the pre-made format, and I print the book for them.”

  “I can’t believe it. My brother, who never reads, has a business printing books.” Brad chuckled, “Aren’t you kind of a hypocrite?”

  “They’re picture books!” Ben narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows, pretending anger. But he couldn’t suppress a laugh. “I think it’s apropos I’m making money off of people who are foolish enough to waste their time buying and reading books. Someone is going to take advantage of these people—it might as well be me.”

  Brad shook his head. “Sometimes I can’t believe we had the same parents. Maybe your father was the exterminator. Didn’t he have eyes like yours?”

  “Very funny. That might explain why Mom always liked me better than you. But maybe we should both be worried—Dad didn’t care much for either one of us.”

  “Ha! That’s true. Have you had dinner? We could go grab a bite somewhere. I’m suddenly starved.”

  “No, I haven’t eaten.” Ben stood and started toward the door. “Now, I think you were telling me why Grace broke up with you.”

  “No, I wasn’t,” Brad growled, falling in step beside his brother, aware his appetite had fled to once again be replaced by a sour stomach.

  “Seriously, it’s really over? I thought for sure you were going to marry her. I’ve never seen you so stupid over a girl. I mean, I’ve seen you stupid plenty of times. But not over a girl—not until Grace.”

  “Look. There’s nothing to tell. We broke up. It’s over. I don’t even care about her anymore.”

  “Really?” Ben tilted his head with a wry smile. “Then it’s okay with you if I ask Grace out? OW! I think you broke a rib. If I have to have another surgery, you’re paying for it.”

  *****

  Grace’s heart skipped a beat as her cell phone rang. But a quick glance showed the call was from her future sister-in-law, Emily. She debated whether to answer the call. She might accidentally miss Brad’s call if it came while she was talking to Emily.

  “Hi Emily. Uhmm, I can’t talk long. I’m kind of expecting a call.”

  “Okay. This won’t take long, anyway. Spencer and I just wanted to see what y’all were doing Friday night?”

  “Y’all?”

  Emily laughed. “Don’t make fun of my Texas accent. I meant to say you—both of you. You and Brad. Do y’all have plans? Because we were thinking of making fajitas and playing cards while the boys watch the baseball game.” She chuckled, “Who am I kidding? I mean, while all three of you watch the baseball game. You’re just as bad as they are.”

  “Uhmm... Can I get back to you on that? I mean... I’d have to talk to Brad first.” She felt her eyes starting to water. She had to get off the phone before Emily noticed anything amiss. “Oh, I think that’s the other line. I’ll get back to you soon, okay?”

  Disconnecting the call, she searched her pocket for a tissue that wasn’t totally drenched. She wadded up a handful of wet Kleenex and stuffed them in the now-empty box and stumbled toward the trashcan.


  She jumped at the voice behind her. “Okay Sister—spill it,” ordered Olivia. “You’ve been emptying tissue boxes for days, and I know you don’t have a cold.”

  “It’s nothing—just hormones.” Grace’s phone coughed out a message indication. She hurried to open the message, only to find a communication from Emily about their Friday night plans. Her shoulders slumped along with her spirit as she slinked back to the couch.

  “You know we’re synced, so don’t give me that hormone excuse. What’s up? You’ve been acting weird since Saturday.”

  “Please, I don’t want to...” Her words stopped as her phone rang. Her heart began to race as she checked the caller ID. It was Josh. A nauseous feeling welled up in her stomach. Josh had said he would call if things didn’t go well. This must mean Brad had rejected her offer. She silenced the phone and swallowed the bile that rose in her throat, failing to stop a fresh flood of tears.

  Olivia was beside her in a second, hugging her sopping face in her arms. “Grace, what happened? Did someone hurt you? I’ll kill them for you. I can do it—I’m bigger than you are.”

  At that proclamation, Grace let out a muffled chuckle. She sniffed and wiped her face on her sleeve for lack of a dry tissue. “It’s just... Don’t tell anyone, okay? Please? Not even Hannah or Claire or Spencer?”

  “Okay, I promise. Our sisters are both out for the evening anyway.”

  “I... We... Brad and I broke up.”

  “What happened, Grace? I really thought you were perfect for each other.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. It’s all for the best. You know me—I don’t date anyone for very long.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t usually cry when you break up with your boyfriends. What’s the deal? Are you in love with Brad?”

  “Of course I’m not in love with him!” Grace bit back with vehemence. “I’m the one who broke it off.”

  “Okay, okay. Whatever you say. I wasn’t trying to be offensive, you know.”

  Grace cringed, “I’m sorry, Sister. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

  “But something is different with Brad. Right?”