Page 2 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners (Gridiron Warriors #2)
There is something vaguely familiar about her.
She is blonde, petite—even in high heels—and where I’m still in my work outfit, she wears a skintight yellow dress with her full cleavage on display.
I’ve come across women like her in LA for years.
Many people from California are migrating to Portland and Seattle, which may explain her over-the-top look.
Her make-up is on point, and her pursed lips have been plumped.
“Alexandra.” My name is called, and I jump up, wanting to get away from this crazy woman. There’s movement behind me, and I turn to see her standing up, too. “Oh, Kimberly, you're next. Just have a seat,” the nurse says, and she huffs before moving to sit where I had been.
After having my weight taken and an ultrasound performed, I am led to a room where I scoot up onto the table. I like Dr. Jarvis and will hate leaving her practice, but I realize I must move on. She’s already suggested someone I can use in Seattle when I decide to get pregnant.
“Alex, how’s your Thursday going?” Dr. Jarvis steps into the room, and I calm down from the situation in the lobby with that woman.
“I’m doing well. The hormones have been making me a bit more emotional.” I laugh it off.
“Do you still want me to prescribe the next round of medication? The pills you’ve been taking have contributed to your healthy egg numbers; however, by changing to the Gonal-F injections, it will increase the growth and quality of the follicles and bring you another step closer to viable embryos.
This is your body and your decision, Alex. What’s your plan?”
This is why I travel down here to see her instead of finding a doctor closer to home. She knows me. She’s not only an OB-GYN, she’s also a reproductive endocrinologist. I was lucky to become one of her patients years ago when I first came here for my general female care and to get my IUD fitted.
“What were the test results? Do you think I’m able to handle it?”
“Your numbers and levels look good, so the more eggs we can collect, the better. We even identified a few follicles forming in your ultrasound today.”
“Okay. Let’s start.”
“Great. Let me fill in my nurse, and she’ll be in to get you started.
Come back on Monday before heading home, and we’ll have your first two weeks of injections ready.
When you return, we’ll do another ultrasound.
If more follicles have developed, we’ll give you the trigger shot at that time; if not, we’ll do another round of injections. ”
“That sounds good.” I try not to fidget on the table, so the paper doesn’t make noise.
Dr. Jarvis opens the door and steps out without closing it behind her.
She tells her nurse to prepare the shot for me, and a few moments later, I hear the nurse directing that Kimberly woman to the bathroom.
I stand up and move to the chair so I won’t be seen when she passes my room after she’s done using the facilities.
A few minutes pass, and the nurse accompanies Kimberly back to her room. Something about her being in a non-patient area, but I don’t think of it anymore when it’s time for my first shot.
“Okay, Alexandra, let’s get you started.” She proceeds to show me the best way to administer the drug to myself and suggests that I take it at night, explaining the side effects and potential risks that the doctor has already gone over with me.
Leaving the office, I’m a bit emotional and decide to take a walk before returning to my hotel for the night.
I have meetings tomorrow—one with T.K., then a couple of new players who want to meet with me.
I can only take on one, maybe two clients, but there are several people in my office whom I can refer them to and keep an eye on them.
Just a few slots remain so that I can give each client my undivided attention.
Strolling along the pedestrian walkway on the Hawthorne Bridge, memories I’d prefer not to entertain swarm through my mind.
The last time I crossed this very bridge, I was holding Brayden’s hand.
I sensed he was about to propose, and I knew what I had to do.
I broke both of our hearts that day. Thirteen years have come and gone, and I’ve never recovered.
He’s moved on and on, according to the press, but I’ve only been with a couple of guys because work has been my sole focus.
The bright side of our breakup is that both of us achieved our dreams. So maybe it’s hearing the rumblings that Brayden’s talking about retiring from the Seattle Westerners, or the fact that I’m actually contemplating having a baby by myself, that has me so emotional and reflecting on the past with regrets.
He has always been the man I compare all others to. My parents loved and adored him.
After we broke up, I couldn’t tell anyone why I was to blame, and they all just assumed incorrectly. Then he proved them right by doing what many rookies do—sleeping with countless women. I can’t blame them, though; he’s sexy and sweet all rolled up in one.
I lean against the railing of the bridge and peer out over the water. He brought me here for our first date. Told me his story of being raised on a farm in Montana and how he wanted something different, knowing he was meant to be great and do more.
His brother helped him because his parents were so focused on the farm.
It’s not even one they own; they just work it, and I have this information because I stay in the know for all things Brayden Murray.
His parents have still never attended one of his professional games, and I find it sad, but he isn’t mad at them.
He used to say it’s how his father was raised.
Keep working for his family until he can’t anymore, to ensure they have everything they need.
He worked hard to pay for his son to become the football player he was, getting him admitted into the University of Oregon, and then for his eventual recruitment to the Gridiron Warriors League.
I’m proud of what he’s achieved and often wonder if he could have done it with me as his girlfriend. I just know that on that day, I had to make that decision, and I did. If we had stayed together, he might not have made it, and I didn’t want to be the reason he couldn’t do it.
Walking back to my hotel room as the evening settles in, I feel the change in the air. Preseason has already started. This is going to be a big year. Will the Portland Settlers carry on and succeed in a repeat, or will one of the many other teams step up and take the Victory Bowl?