Page 38 of Love Me (Charlotte Monarchs Hockey #1)

Bree

I told myself—and Luke—I didn’t want a relationship while I was in Charlotte.

There’s no reason to start something hot and heavy when I’ll be back in California, or traveling to some other city, in a few months.

Yet here I am, falling head over heels in love with Luke Daniels, despite my best efforts to fend it off.

Dammit!

Who would’ve guessed I’d find the man of my dreams in Charlotte, North Carolina?

I’ve always loved the career I chose, but I’ve never felt happier or more fulfilled with every aspect of my life than I do right now. I have a beautiful apartment, great coworkers who have quickly turned into friends, and a kick-ass boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

It’s the last word I expected to use during my six months here, but Luke, the sexiest, kindest, most incredible man I’ve ever met in my life, broke through my barrier and has me thinking about a future—with him. He’s smart and sweet and has his shit together.

Something I can’t say about half the men our age I attempted to date back home. I’m impressed Luke didn’t let his injury get him down and instead chose to forge ahead with his life.

And I’ve rolled right into that life over the last few months, spending every second I’m not at work with him. My time in Charlotte is coming to an end soon, and the thought of leaving him makes me sick to my stomach. But I can’t let Luke see that, and I can’t let it affect my work, either.

“Hey, Tinkerbell,” Tonya calls out. “You have a phone call parked on line two.”

At first, I think it must be a patient’s family member since anyone else would know to call my cell phone while I’m at work.

But my cell is always in my locker during my shifts, so I wonder if it’s an emergency of some sort.

I rush to the nurse’s station, pick up the receiver, and press the button for the call parked on line two.

“This is Bree. How can I help you?”

“I’m at the airport. Come pick me up.”

It’s Mason.

“What?” I ask, confused. “What airport?”

“Charlotte.”

“Why?” I shriek. Then I lower my voice since I’m at work and I don’t want to cause a scene or have anyone think something is wrong. “Why are you in Charlotte?”

“Dad said I needed a change of pace.” I hear Mason yawn from the other end of the line.

“I told him not to send you here.”

“Where else was I going to go?”

“I don’t know. Washington D.C.? Mexico? Fucking Russia?” I say in a hushed tone.

“What’s your problem, Bree?”

“This was my change of pace. Mine. To get away from you .”

Contrary to popular belief, my brother is the hockey player I took a job on the other side of the country to get away from—not Arkady.

I specifically told Dad “no” over the phone and in a written response to his email asking about flight times. I should have known he’d go behind my back and do it anyway.

No one in the Collins family became successful by taking no for an answer.

“Just come and pick me up already.” The annoyance in Mason’s tone riles me up.

“I’m at work . Which you know since you called this line.”

“You didn’t answer your cell.”

“Because I’m working ,” I stress again, rubbing my forehead. The never-ending list of things I’m supposed to be doing right now races through my mind.

“I’m sure they’ll understand if you take time to come get me.”

“This is not a desk job, Mason. I have patients to take care of—sick patients. I can’t just leave.”

“So what do you want me to do? Sit here and wait for you?”

I want to teleport to the airport just to choke him. “You’re twenty-six years old! Figure it out,” I snap.

“Fine,” Mason huffs before he hangs up on me.

My hands shake as I set the phone back down.

“Who was that?” Tonya asks.

“My brother,” I answer, trying to compose myself. No one at work deserves the anger meant for my brother. “He wants me to pick him up from the airport.”

“I take it you didn’t know he was coming to town?”

I pull the chair out from under the desk and collapse into it. “Nope.” I cradle my face in my hands and rub my cheeks. The conversation exhausted the shit out of me.

Mason infringing on my life is the last thing I need right now.

“Do you need to go get him? I can call Leona and ask if she can come in early.”

“No.” I shake my head. “He’s a big boy. He can figure it out.”

“Damn, Tinkerbell! You cold!” Tonya teases me, pinching my arm. “Maybe we should call you the Ice Queen instead.”

“Well, the Ice Queen has had enough. There’s nothing for him here.”

“You know how athletes are. Issues, issues, issues,” Tonya sings.

Instead of responding, I walk away to check on my next patient. Tonya knows I’ve been seeing Luke though we’ve been careful to keep our relationship under wraps at the hospital.

Every workplace is filled with gossipmongers.

The last thing I need is nosy people getting the wrong idea about me and my work ethic.

There are people who get their shit done and call it a day.

And there are people who stick their nose where it doesn’t belong—in their coworkers’ business.

That’s how rumors get started. That’s also how assumptions are made and reputations are ruined.

My life isn’t an episode of a TV medical drama. My personal relationships aren’t anyone’s business. Imagine how deflated the busybodies would be when I leave to go back to California.

If I leave to go back to California. Though I brushed it off when Luke suggested I stay in Charlotte, the more time I spend with him, the more I want to. The location itself is not my ideal. Three hours away is too far from the ocean, but being here with Luke makes it livable. Enjoyable, even.

I make a mental note to call my contact at the staffing agency and see if my assignment can be extended for a few more months.

There are some things you can’t leave to chance.