Page 6
CHAPTER SIX
Tyler
I swing open the driver’s side door of my car, the glossy black paint gleaming under the orange haze of the streetlights.
The cool night air wafts in as I slide into the smooth leather seat, the faint smell of my cologne greeting me like an old friend. This car is my pride and joy, and I make sure it stays looking like it just rolled out of the showroom.
Glancing out the window, I see Nick, who’s leaning casually against the passenger side door, his good hand resting on the roof like he owns the car.
His other hand is wrapped up in a neat bandage thanks to Doc Perry, and he’s giving me that smug, expectant look he always does when he wants something.
“What makes you think you’re getting a ride with me?” I ask, my smirk widening as I press the ignition button. The engine roars to life, a low, satisfying growl that vibrates through the car.
Nick lifts his injured hand, his expression deadpan. “You gonna make me drive with a busted hand?”
I snort, clicking my seatbelt into place. “That’s not all that’s busted about you,” I shoot back, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Funny,” he mutters flatly, shaking his head as he climbs into the passenger seat. He shuts the door with a little more force than necessary, and I smirk to myself.
The cabin fills with the soft rumble of the engine as I ease the car out of the parking lot. The tires crunch lightly over the gravel before we hit the smooth pavement of the street.
The city lights come into view as we head downtown, a shimmering backdrop of gold and white against the deep indigo sky.
I glance over at Nick, a sly grin tugging at my lips. “So, what do you think the odds are Ally shows up at the bar tonight?”
Nick rolls his eyes, his expression already halfway to annoyed. “What are you planning, Ty?” he asks, leaning back in his seat like he’s bracing for the worst.
“Nothing…much,” I reply, trying to sound innocent but not quite pulling it off.
The grin stretching across my face probably gives me away. “Just thought maybe I’d see if she wants to share a drink or a ride home.”
He groans, throwing his head back against the headrest. “Do you ever think with anything other than your…”
“Relax,” I cut him off, my grin widening. “She’s new here. She’s probably lonely, looking for friends. I’m just being hospitable.”
Nick crosses his arms over his chest, the movement stiff and deliberate. “You shouldn’t shit where you eat, Tyler,” he says flatly, his voice carrying that older-brother edge, even though we’re essentially the same age. He was born first, but that hardly counts.
It’s the same tone he uses when he’s convinced I’m about to do something reckless, which, to be fair, is pretty often.
I laugh at that, shaking my head as the city lights reflect off the hood of the car. “I eat wherever I want, bro. And you’ve got to admit, Ally’s something else.”
“She’s also the new doctor,” Nick points out, his tone sharpening. There’s a flicker of something more in his voice, concern, maybe, or frustration. It’s hard to tell with him sometimes.
“And? She’s hot, smart, and knows how to stitch a guy up. What’s not to like?” I glance over, half expecting him to argue, but he just exhales through his nose, shaking his head.
Nick falls silent, his gaze locked on the road ahead. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, the usual teasing grin on my face fading slightly.
Nick only goes silent when he’s mad.
“You’re mad,” I say, breaking the quiet, my tone light and probing.
“I’m not mad,” he replies, though the clipped edge in his voice says otherwise.
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re always quiet when you’re mad.” It’s a tactic I’ve used a hundred times before, poking at him until he lets whatever he’s holding back slip.
Nick sighs, a long exhale that seems to carry more weight than I expected. Finally, he turns his head, giving me a pointed look. “Maybe I like her too, all right?”
His words catch me off guard. I glance at him, my brows lifting, then return my focus to the road.
“Oh, really?” I drawl, a slow smirk creeping back onto my face. “Well, in that case, maybe you should make your move before I ruin her for the rest of you guys out there.”
Nick scowls, his lips pressing into a thin line, but there’s something in his expression— amusement, irritation, or maybe a mix of both, that makes me grin wider.
“You’re such a jackass,” he mutters, shaking his head.
“Yeah, but if I’m a jackass, so are you, twin brother,” I shoot back, laughing. It’s a line I’ve used on him a dozen times, but it still earns a reluctant smile from him.
He rolls his shoulders, the tension finally easing as he leans back in his seat. “Fine. Then I guess I’ll have to win her over before you mess everything up.”
“Good luck with that,” I say, my voice dripping with mock seriousness. “May the best brother win.”
Nick’s grin returns, more genuine this time, and he nods. “You’re on.”
For a moment, the atmosphere in the car shifts back to its usual dynamic, light, competitive, filled with the kind of banter that’s second nature to us. But I can’t help but wonder just how serious Nick is about Ally.
I know I am—serious enough to make tonight interesting, at least.
We pull into the small parking lot behind Surf’s Up. The bold, flashing letters of SURF’S UP reflect on the hood of my car.
I ease into a space near the back of the lot and kill the engine.
Sliding out of the car, I stretch, the cool night air brushing against my skin.
Nick shuts the passenger door behind him and joins me as we head toward the entrance.
“Place is packed tonight,” I say, my eyes flicking over the rows of cars lining the street. It’s a mix of clunky sedans, sleek sports cars, and everything in between—a testament to the bar’s eclectic crowd.
“Yeah,” Nick replies, his tone distracted. He suddenly stops, his gaze locked on the front window. “Wait, there she is.”
I follow his nod, and sure enough, Ally’s inside. She’s sitting at the bar, one elbow propped on the counter as she holds a drink in her hand. The light catches her blonde hair, making it shine like gold against the backdrop of the tiki-themed chaos.
She looks even better than she did earlier, less guarded, more natural.
“Well, well,” I say, my grin widening as I reach for the door handle. “Let the games begin, brother.”
Nick chuckles softly as I hold the door open for him. “Just don’t embarrass yourself, Ty.”
“Please,” I reply, throwing him a wink. “I’m about to give her the best night of her life.”
Once inside, my eyes immediately find Ally again. She glances toward the door, her gaze landing on us for a brief moment before she quickly looks away.
The flicker of recognition in her eyes sends a jolt of satisfaction through me.
“Game on,” I murmur under my breath, my grin widening as I start weaving my way through the crowd.
Nick shakes his head but follows, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. “Try not to blow it in the first five minutes, Ty.”
Ally’s sitting at the bar with Kenzie, both of them laughing about something.
I start making my way through the crowd, weaving between people holding brightly colored cocktails in tiki-shaped glasses. Just as I near the bar I crash shoulder-first into someone.
“Watch it, man!” I snap, turning to see who it is.
Standing there is Bruno Varga, the goalie on our team this season. He’s built like a tank. His dark eyes narrow slightly as he glances down at me.
“Relax, Tyler,” he says, his accent thick but his tone even. “Didn’t see you there.”
Nick snickers behind me. “Better watch out, Ty. You don’t want Bruno flattening you before you even get your drink.”
I shoot him a glare before stepping back and waving Bruno on. “No harm done,” I mutter, trying to refocus on my original target.
I glance back toward the bar, locking eyes with Ally for just a second before she turns her attention back to Kenzie.
“Sorry about that,” I mutter to Bruno, who’s still looming.
Bruno just nods as he moves toward the bar. The guy always looks like he’s about to settle a score, not lace up for a game.
As soon as he’s out of earshot, I lean toward Nick and smirk. “Tell me he doesn’t look like a mobster instead of a hockey player. You half expect him to whip out a cigar and call someone ‘kid’.”
Nick snorts, shaking his head. “I don’t know, man. If he’s a mobster, he’s the kind that’s got you buried in the ice before you know what hit you.”
I laugh, imagining it for a second before Brooks is shoulder to shoulder with me, his expression as grouchy as ever.
“Would you two move it along already?” he grumbles, shoving past us.
“Relax, Grandpa,” I tease, shooting him a grin.
Brooks gives me a look, the kind that says he’s too tired to argue. “This crowd’s too young for me,” he mutters, glancing around the room with a slight grimace. “I should’ve just gone home.”
“Oh, come on,” I reply, gesturing toward the bar. “What’s not to love? Great drinks, great vibes. Karaoke night’s a classic!”
He groans. “That’s exactly why I hate it. Karaoke night is just a bunch of drunk idiots who think they can sing. I don’t have the patience for this.”
Nick pipes up, his grin matching mine. “Guess you’re stuck with us then, old man.”
Brooks shakes his head, muttering something under his breath.
I roll my eyes at Brooks as he grumbles his way toward the bar. “Live a little, man. You might actually have fun for once,” I call after him, shaking my head.
Nick chuckles, nudging me with his elbow. “You know he’d rather be home with a beer and some boring documentary.”
“Then it’s our job to fix that,” I reply.
Ally and Kenzie are still sitting at the bar, their heads close together as they talk and laugh. Ally glances up as we approach, her blue eyes catching mine for a moment before she smiles.
Damn, she’s got a killer smile.
“Ladies,” I say, sliding onto the barstool next to them. “Hope you don’t mind us crashing your party.”
Kenzie grins. “As long as you’re buying the next round, you’re welcome.”
“Deal,” I say, signaling the bartender.
It doesn’t take long before shots are lined up in front of us, and we start tossing them back.Each one seems to come with a toast, Kenzie to her new “favorite doctor”, Ally to surviving her first day, Nick to avoiding stitches again anytime soon, and me for, well, just being me.
Even Brooks grudgingly joins in.
Then the karaoke starts. The opening chords of a classic pop song fill the bar, and Kenzie perks up, clapping her hands. “I’m singing that one!” she declares, already bouncing off her seat.
As Kenzie gets up to sign herself up for karaoke, I notice Ally mouthing the words to the song.
“You’re holding out on us, Doc!” I say, leaning closer. “You’ve got to get up there and sing.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Oh, no. That’s not happening.”
“Oh, come on!” I beg, clasping my hands together like I’m praying. “Don’t leave me hanging. We’ve got to show these people how it’s done.”
Nick joins in, nudging her shoulder. “He’s not going to stop, you know. Might as well give in.”
Ally laughs again, clearly torn. “Fine,” she says, throwing up her hands. “But only if you guys come up with me.”
“Deal!” I shout, grinning like a kid who just got his way.
“Brooks, you’re coming too,” Nick adds, already grabbing him by the arm.
Brooks scowls. “Absolutely not.”
“Absolutely yes,” Kenzie says, reappearing just in time to hear him. She grabs his other arm, and between the three of us, we manage to drag him toward the stage.
The crowd cheers as we pile onto the small platform, the bright lights shining in our faces. Ally shakes her head, laughing, but she doesn’t back out.
The music starts, and we all join in, our voices blending in a chaotic, off-key harmony.
For a moment, everything else fades, and it’s just us, the music, and the laughter echoing through the bar.
The opening notes of Piano Man spill out from the speakers. Ally laughs softly as the melody starts, and I catch her mouthing along to the words before the first verse even begins.
When it’s time to sing, we all belt it out together, a mix of half-decent voices and full-hearted enthusiasm.
Brooks grumbles his way through his lines, his low, gravelly tone a funny contrast to Nick’s energetic delivery and my own, well…showmanship. But it’s Ally who surprises me the most.
Her voice is smooth and rich, the kind of voice that doesn’t belong in a bar full of drunk people screaming along to karaoke. She doesn’t overdo it, but every note she hits is dead on, and I can tell she’s holding back to keep it casual.
My grin widens, and I nudge Nick, who raises an eyebrow, clearly impressed too.
By the time we get to the harmonica solo, the whole bar is clapping along, a few people even pulling out their phones to record. When the song ends, applause breaks out, and I throw an exaggerated bow toward the crowd.
“Not bad, Doc,” I say to Ally, still grinning.
Kenzie stands and grabs her bag. “That’s it for me, guys. Early morning at the clinic.”
We all say our goodbyes as she heads out, leaving the rest of us at the bar. “So, what now?” I ask, already scanning for another round of drinks, or maybe another song.
Kenzie waves one last time before disappearing through the door.
The bartender swings by the table we commandeered, and we order another round. I decide on a whiskey sour, Nick sticks to a beer, and Ally opts for a margarita this time, her cheeks still flushed from the karaoke performance.
Nick chuckles, taking a long sip of his drink. “I’ll give it to you, Ty. That was actually fun. Even Brooks got into it…kind of.”
Brooks rolls his eyes but doesn’t deny it. He shifts in his seat, glancing at his empty glass. “This bartender’s too slow,” he mutters, standing. “I’m going to find someone who can actually get some water to the table.” Without waiting for a response, he weaves his way through the crowd.
Nick gets up too, patting my shoulder. “Bathroom,” he says shortly, leaving me alone with Ally.
The noise of the bar seems to fade as I turn to her, leaning an elbow on the counter. “So,” I say, my tone light and teasing, “you’ve got some pipes on you, Doc. Didn’t know we had a secret star in our midst.”
She laughs softly, her blue eyes sparkling under the warm lights. “It’s just karaoke, Tyler. Nothing to write home about.”
“Well, I’d write home about it,” I reply, my grin widening.
She shakes her head, but there’s a warmth in her smile that pulls me in. Before I can stop myself, I lean closer, my hand brushing lightly against hers. Her breath catches, and for a moment, the space between us feels charged.
Then I kiss her.
It’s soft at first, tentative, but the second our lips touch, I’m overwhelmed by her. The noise, the lights, the people, all of it fades away until it’s just her and me.
The kiss ends as quickly as it began, and Ally pulls back, her eyes wide with surprise.
For a moment, she just stares at me, her lips slightly parted, and I can see the wheels turning in her head.
“I, uh,” she stammers, glancing around like she’s looking for an escape route.
I sit back slightly, my grin fading. “Ally, it’s–”
“I need to go to the bathroom,” she blurts out, cutting me off. Her voice is hurried, and before I can say anything else, she’s heading toward the back of the bar.
I watch her go, weaving through the crowd like she’s on a mission. The sinking feeling in my gut tells me I probably just screwed up, but there’s another part of me, one I’m not entirely proud of, that feels a flicker of triumph.
She kissed me back, even if it was just for a moment. That has to mean something.
Brooks returns to the table, two bottles of water in hand. He glances around, his brow furrowing. “Where’d Ally go?”
“The bathroom,” I say casually, taking a sip of my drink.
Brooks narrows his eyes, his annoyance palpable. “What did you do?”
“Nothing!” I reply, raising my hands in mock innocence.
He doesn’t buy it for a second. “Tyler,” he says, his tone sharp, “I swear to God, if you…”
Before he can finish, Nick comes back, sliding into his seat. He takes one look at me, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Who’d you kiss?”
I blink, caught off guard. “What?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Nick says, pointing at me with his good hand. “That look on your face? That’s your ‘I just kissed someone and I’m trying not to make a big deal about it’ face.”
Brooks groans, his palm slapping against his forehead. “Oh, for the love of—please don’t tell me you kissed Ally.”
I shrug, my smirk creeping back despite myself. “Maybe.”
Brooks and Nick both groan, leaning back in their seats like I’ve just told them the world’s worst news.
“What?” I say, my grin widening.
Brooks glares at me. “You’re unbelievable.”