Chasing Air (7 page)

The workout definitely helped to relieve tension. She took some time to rest while she sat on the bench and watched some of the other students. She heard one of the instructors speaking with a new student she hadn’t seen there before.

The girl found the training grueling and told the coach she had to take a break. She sat down on the bench beside Makenzie and began to cry.

Makenzie watched her for a bit before she finally reached her arm around her, embracing her. “The first time is the worst. Next time will be easier, and each time you’ll get just a little bit better at it. It’s like with anything, you always get to look back at where you came from, but you don’t always get to see where you’re going. One of these days, you’ll be grateful you took this course and stuck with it.”

Makenzie was curious who she was trying harder to convince, herself or the girl.

“Thank you. Sounds like it was hard for you too, but I’ve watched you and you have this stuff down with no problem,” she uttered through her tears.

“Yes, but it wasn’t always that way and just so you know, I’ve had tears just like you. I’m Makenzie, by the way.”

The young woman began to calm down and relax a bit. Makenzie wanted to try and coax her in to continuing.

“Sorry, my name is Rachel Taylor. Thanks for talking to me, Makenzie.”

“Nice to meet you, Rachel. Look, watch the coach working with the other student. They’re new at this like you. I’ve learned a lot from watching.”

“I wish that I’d known this stuff a year ago, I might’ve been able to save my friend from being beaten by her boyfriend until she was in a coma. I have to do this for her. Will you help me with some of the tricks?”

“Oh sweetie, first of all, I’m really sorry for your friend. I hope she’s okay. Secondly, there are no tricks to this course, it’s pure hard work, but you can do it. Take your time and don’t let the frustrations get to you. And finally, do this for yourself. Your reason is a good one, but you have to do this for yourself or it will never work. Now let’s go to the mat and rumble at bit, shall we?”

Rachel and Makenzie spent time going through practice sessions with the coach and using each other as stand-ins.

CHAPTER SIX

The next few days flew by for Makenzie. Her new role at work required her to go in early for medical staff meetings and executive staff meetings. She was happy that she had accepted the position, and it suited her.

It was Thursday morning already. Things had been quiet on the Ryler front. She hadn’t heard from him since Monday when he brought the flowers and the pie, although her thoughts drifted to him often. She actually missed seeing him.

While out for a run, she decided that she couldn’t stay away from the softball game on Sunday. She loved playing ball and hadn’t enjoyed it in quite some time. When she returned to the loft, she sent him a text, saying yes to the ball game and asking for the location. The day progressed, but she didn’t hear back from him, but she figured he was really busy.

Primping for her date with Jonathan, she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. It was exciting to have such a sexy date coming to pick her up. She stood in her closet for the better part of half an hour trying to decide on what to wear. She mixed and matched, trying to find the perfect outfit. Not knowing what they were doing was hindering. Finally, she cracked. She sent Jonathan a text:

Curiosity is killing me. At least tell me what I should wear?

He responded:

Clothes

Makenzie responded:

Hmm,
maybe.

Okay, so he wasn’t playing along. Fine, she would make a decision. She chose a very tight, black pencil skirt, leopard print silk tank, and black stilettos. The skirt would certainly get his attention.

Jonathan sent her a text when he arrived at the lobby and she made her way down to join him. His eyes lit up when he took a look at her.

“You’re simply stunning, Makenzie. Any guy would be drooling to have you on his arm tonight.” He kissed her hand before winding it in his arm as he led her to his car. It wasn’t the Range Rover. Instead, he had a Black Ferrari, the door held by the valet. Makenzie just stood and looked at the car. Finally sinking down into the seat, she waited for him to slide into the driver’s seat. As they sped away, she enjoyed the way he moved the car in and out of traffic on the toll way.

“What do you do, walk out to your garage and go, ‘Eenie, meenie, miney, mo, this is what I am driving today?’” she asked with a taunting smirk.

“Well, since you put it that way, yes. You don’t approve?” he asked with a perky smile.

“Boys and their toys. Can you tell me where we’re going now?” Makenzie was beside herself with curiosity.

“Well, since you’re impatient, we’re going up to McKinney to eat at Rick’s Chop House. It’s my favorite place for a steak, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Afterwards, we’re going to this cozy little jazz club for some dancing if you’re up to it, but that will be your call. I know you worked this morning and I don’t want to stretch you thin.” He took Makenzie’s hand and held on to it until he had to shift gears.

They enjoyed great wine, a delicious meal, and Makenzie agreed the food at Rick’s Chop House was fabulous and the ambience was romantic. They had the wine room all to themselves. While they chatted over dinner, Makenzie asked Jonathan question after question.

“Makenzie, is this an inquisition or are you just trying to keep us from discussing you?”

“Well, what part of barium enemas do you want to talk about?” She had him, she watched him swallow quickly.

“Hmm, next topic?” He laughed. “I would like to know how it is that you ended up here with no family or friends.”

“It’s a fair question. Although enemas can be interesting too.” she laughed. “We can talk about me, but there’s not a lot to tell. I’m from New York, but always hated the extended cold weather. I enjoy working trauma and found the opportunity and climate here to be just what I’d been looking for. Now that I’ve been here for a while, I would never move back to New York. How close to the lofts do you live, since I know you aren’t a resident?” She quickly got him on a more neutral topic.

“Just north by a few minutes, in Plano. Would you like to see my place sometime?” He raised his eyebrow at her. She knew “sometime” could be sooner rather than later if she just pulled the trigger and said yes.

“Sure, I’d love that sometime. So where is this jazz club?” she asked as they waited for the valet to bring the car.

“Harwood609, it’s in Dallas.” He grinned.

“You drove from Addison to McKinney for dinner, now we’re going back to Dallas for dancing?” She gave him a puzzled look on her face.

“It’s the only time I drive my car, plus I like having you next to me as we fly down the highway while I hold your hand.” His smile was convincing.

They enjoyed the drive, which was quick in the Ferrari. Jonathan kept his fingers entwined with hers as he managed to shift the gears. They talked about his little boy Trippe, and the meaning of his name. “He’s actually got a third generation name, so it was a fun nickname, but not my idea. In fact, I refused at first.”

“Does he look like you?” Makenzie wondered how strong his gorgeous gene pool would run. She tried to imagine having beautiful kids with him.

“Nope, he looks just like his mom, except with dark hair. Has her blue eyes, smile, round face, everything. Sometimes I wonder if I was even his father, but he has my hair for sure. Everyone says that he looks like her, that’s not just my opinion.”

“Is he in to the sports stuff yet?”

“Yes he is. He’s all boy, loves to play rough. I know his mom doesn’t like it, but she’s great about not trying to talk him out of it.”

“We see a lot of kids his age in the ER with minor sports injuries. Parents don’t know how to react the first time and usually overreact, but by the second time, they’re practically dismissing the injuries and almost don’t bring them in. It could be the making of a reality TV show for sure. I know I’ve heard ‘man-up’ a million times.” She laughed and shook her head.

“I’ll try to remember that. We haven’t been down that road yet, but I’m sure it’s coming. We’ve had several kids on his team with ankle and elbow injuries. One broken arm so far. This is his first year to play baseball. Last year he played soccer, but didn’t take to it. Now with baseball, he’s already addicted. I would love it if you came to watch a game sometime.” He kissed her hand before getting out of the car at the valet.

The evening was delightful. They enjoyed wine and dancing with the smooth sounds of the house band. Jonathan was a really charming dancer and his arms were strong as he held her tightly to him. Several times, he placed soft kisses on her temple.

It felt good to be held by him, but she found herself thinking about Ryler. She felt like she was cheating. How could that be? She wasn’t in a committed relationship. She wasn’t in a relationship with him period. In fact, a relationship with him would be impossible. She had to let go and move on and that meant even cancelling the softball game on Sunday.

“Is that okay with you?” he asked.

Oh shit, he was talking to her, but she wasn’t listening. She was thinking about Ryler.

“Sounds fine.”

“You weren’t really listening were you?” He threw his head back with a laugh.

“Hmm, you caught me. I’m sorry, my thoughts drifted for a moment. All that talk about kids and injuries, you know how it is. What did you say? Really, I want to know.” She made an apologetic face.

“I knew you weren’t listening when you stopped responding, so I teased and said, ‘How about I take you to my place and strip us out of our clothes?’” He gave a quick laugh, but his eyes were serious.

“No, you did not.” She just looked at him.

“You’re right, I didn’t, but I was thinking it.” He quickly left cash on their table and led her to the valet. While they were waiting, he put his hand in her hair and pulled her face close to his. “Come home with me. I promise when we’re alone, you’ll be thinking of nothing else.”

He didn’t wait for her answer, but kissed her with passion and didn’t care who saw him. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes and winked. A soft cough reminded him they were in public and the valet was waiting beside them with the car. He helped her into the seat and quickly tipped the guys before blazing out of the parking lot.

“You didn’t answer me, Makenzie. I can’t deny my urge to be with you. What’s it going to be, your place or...”

He didn’t get to finish that sentence. A fiery crash on the toll way in front of them stopped everything.

“Find a safe place to pull over, Jonathan.” Makenzie took out her phone and dialed 911. Jonathan had to help her tell the operator their location. She told them she was a physician and handed the phone over to Jonathan before jumping out of the car to attend the victims.

She worked with the car wreck victims while Jonathan assisted under her guidance. Once the paramedics arrived, she worked with the most critical victim in the back of the ambulance. The paramedics told Jonathan which hospital to pick her up at since they needed her to ride with them in the back of the ambulance.

On his drive to the hospital, he realized the extent of her job and what a miraculous woman she was. The accident gave him a quick view of her everyday life and the type of adrenaline she performed under. He was hooked harder than he ever thought possible. He never felt this way about Liza. Watching Makenzie treat those patients, the care and concern radiated from her. She didn’t care if she got dirty or that she ripped her blouse trying to free one of the trapped victims. He was amazed at how she remained so calm and focused.

As people began to stop and gather, she put them to work directing traffic until first responders and police arrived.

He waited patiently outside the ER until she was finished giving the police her statement of the accident and provided the hospital with her information. She had also cleaned herself up and had her hair in a borrowed ponytail holder, compliments of one of the nurses.

Jonathan thought she never looked sexier than when she walked out of the hospital. He heard one of the paramedics holler out, “Thanks, Makenzie, you can ride with us anytime,” from the ambulance window. She waved back to him.

“I’m sorry, Jonathan, I know that wasn’t the fireworks you were expecting from our evening,” she teased him.

“The night isn’t over and the offer is still on the table, but something tells me that you need some sleep.” It was still more of a question, though he hoped she would say no.

“Right. Sleep. Rain check on the rest?” She grinned back at him.

He didn’t answer her with words. He wrapped her ponytail around his hand and pulled her in close to him, holding her tightly to his chest for a few tender moments. When he pulled back, he saw the look of want in her eyes. He pleasured her mouth right there in front of the emergency room.