Page 4 of Sideline Sweetheart (Greenville Generals #4)

Chapter Four

Mackenzie

I stare at the piece of paper on my desk with Bryce’s number on it, much like I have for the past two days. I have yet to respond to him, still battling the code of ethics drilled into my head over the past seven years of medical school telling me not to date a patient.

Movement at my door catches my attention as Jamie raises her hand to knock. “Hey, Mackenzie, you got a minute?”

I smile at her. “Of course.”

She steps inside, followed by Luna and Allison, who closes the door behind her.

I flip the business card over to where if displays my information and give them another welcoming smile. “What can I do for you ladies?”

“Actually,” Luna says. “We wanted to check on you.”

I eye them suspiciously. “Check on me?”

Again Luna, who seems to be the spokesman for the group today, leads the conversation. “Yeah,” she says biting her lip as a smile tries to appear. “We heard you met with Bryce and wanted to apologize for not introducing you properly.”

I glance at each one, all looking apologetic, and the tension I’ve been carrying in my shoulders eases a bit. “I appreciate the apology, but it’s not necessary. I could have elaborated and told him I was the new team doctor as well as you.”

Allison tilts her head sightly as she questions, “Why didn’t you?”

I give her a simple shrug. “It was nice being out with the group as Mackenzie and not Dr. Flynn. It’s been a while since I was able to relax and be me.”

Jamie smiles softly. “Well, you have us now. Want to tell us why you looked so perplexed when we came in?”

As long as it’s been since I’ve had friends to go out with, it’s been even longer since I’ve had girlfriends to share things with. I sigh. “You all might want to take a seat,” I offer as Luna and Allison each take a seat in front of my desk, with Jamie perched on the arm of Luna’s chair.

“I’m in the middle of an ethical dilemma. As you all know I’ve been meeting with all the players to introduce myself, review their medical history and get to know them a little bit.”

Allison nods. “Standard practice for any new doc.”

“All of them have been respectful and have kindly answered my questions. After my meeting with Bryce, he asked me out,” I say as I close my eyes waiting for their response. When all of them stay silent, I reluctantly open my eyes to find them all grinning at me.

Luna clears her throat. “And this has thrown you into an ethical dilemma?”

“Yes!” I stand from my chair and begin pacing behind my desk as I ramble.

“During my seven years of medical school the code of ethics was drilled into more than anything else. Don’t date your patients is like the first commandment to the medical community.

And here I am five days into my dream job and I’m already considering going on a date with the first handsome player to ask me out.

” I throw my hands in the air before gripping the back of my chair and facing them. “What am I supposed to do?”

All three of them are grinning at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. Which I probably have for even considering going out with him, but my god, have you seen him? Anyone with the ability to see would agree he was sculpted by God himself.

“Fascinating,” Jamie says, and I glare at her. “Who would have thought one little dinner invitation would throw you into such a snit.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you going to help me or not?”

Allison waves a dismissive hand. “Of course we are, but first let me ask you this, are you attracted to Bryce?”

“Are you kidding? I’d have to be in a coma not to be.”

“Great,” Luna says standing, the others following suit.

She taps on her phone and three dings sound in my office.

“There, I created a group chat. Now whenever you are in need of advice all you have to do is sound the alarm and you’ll have us at your fingertips.

And when you accept Bryce’s invitation?—”

“I think you mean if I accept,” I interject interrupting Luna.

Luna levels me with a glare. “ When you accept Bryce’s dinner invitation, all you have to do is text us your address and we’ll come over to give you a pep talk and help you pick your outfit.”

“Oh, I like this idea,” Allison says rubbing her hands together. “I’ll bring the wine.”

“No, no one is bringing wine,” I say to Allison. “You all seem sure I’m going to say yes. Have you not noticed I’m a redhead and we have a penchant for being stubborn?”

Jamie crosses her arms over her chest. “ Please , you know you’re going to accept.”

I sigh in resignation as I step around to the front of my desk and perch on the edge. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I also know I’ll feel guilty about it the whole time.”

Luna’s hand lands on my shoulder. “There’s no reason to feel guilty.

This isn’t like having a private practice.

Everything these guys do will be made public.

We all met our husbands here, so there’s no retaliation from human resources.

And, if you’re worried about Bryce being a player not of the football variety, I can tell you in the last four years he’s been nothing but respectful to the female staff and as far as I know hasn’t dated anyone seriously for a while.

So,” she says with a shrug, “if he asked you out, he’s not doing it on a whim. ”

“Thank you. Knowing he’s put some thought into asking me out does help,” I say feeling myself relax a little more.

Jamie claps her hands together. “Okay, then, we won’t keep you any longer. And don’t forget we are only a text away if you need us.”

“Thanks, you all. I really appreciate it,” I say with a smile as I watch the three of them file out my door and then return to my desk. I open the group chat Luna set up and text them my address.

In case you need it in the future.

With my phone still in my hand, I take a deep breath, flip over the business card and send a text to Bryce.

As much as I appreciate the dinner invitation, I have to decline.

Three dots appear as I stare at the screen waiting for words to appear.

Playing hard to get? Challenge accepted.

I stare at the screen wondering how in the world I’m supposed to respond. When nothing comes to mind, I toss my phone on my desk and drop my head into my hands. Letting out a frustrated growl I resign myself to the fact turning down Bryce Coban may be a lot tougher than I expected.

While strength and conditioning continues, practices have amplified.

The guys are taking more hits as they prepare for the season to begin.

With more hits comes more work for me. After hours in the training room evaluating injuries, I finally settle behind my desk to make notes on each of the players I’ve seen today.

I’m focused on my laptop when there’s a knock on my door. “Yes,” I call glancing up as the door swings open.

A young woman I recognize as Lydia from the dining hall, peeks through the opening. “Doctor Flynn?”

“Oh, hi, Lydia. What can I do for you?” I ask closing my laptop as she steps inside.

She smiles as she walks toward my desk, a white plastic bag in her hand. “I was asked to deliver this to you.”

I accept the bag, reach inside, and remove a takeout container, utensils and a bottle of water.

I pop open the lid and my stomach rumbles on queue, as the aroma of perfectly seasoned steak fills my nostrils along with mushrooms, onions, peppers and gooey cheese all nestled in a sub roll.

My mouth waters as I’m reminded, I’ve worked through lunch.

“Thank you, Lydia, I’ve been so busy, I forgot to eat today.”

“It happens to all of us. Enjoy your lunch,” she says as she turns for the door.

“Lydia,” I say stopping her before she’s out the door.

She stops in the doorway and turns back to me. “Yes, Doctor Flynn?”

“Who asked you to deliver this?”

A shy smile pulls at her lips. “Bryce Coban,” she says before walking out and closing the door behind her.

“Of course, he did,” I say to the now empty room, before picking up my phone and drafting a text.

Thank you for lunch, it was very thoughtful of you.

You’re welcome. I’m a thoughtful guy.