Compass (20 page)

She returned her gaze to her phone, knowing Ryan was probably wondering why she hadn’t replied yet. She rested her fingers against the flat surface. “You know, we should bump into each other more often,” she suggested. “I’ve enjoyed chatting with you tonight.”

“Remember what I said about Ryan having my balls on a platter? Try more like a skewer.”

Alexis blew raspberries, rolling her eyes. “If he can hang with Reagan, I can hang with you.”

Declan shook his head. “You’re asking for trouble, girly, but I’m game.” His laughter filled the cafe. “What do you say to us getting a bite to eat?” he offered.

“I’m not dressed to go out.” She pointed to her favorite black scrubs with hot pink trim. Her hair was pulled back, much like Mary’s had been, and she knew her makeup was far from flawless. She wasn’t the type to reapply even a smidgen of lipstick throughout the day, unlike how many of the other doctors and nurses did. “Plus, I really should be heading home. I told Ryan I’d meet him at the diner when he arrived. I don’t want to ruin my appetite.”

“I promise we won’t ruin your appetite. And you look amazing,” he complimented. “Besides, it’s not like this is a date or anything.”

Alexis laughed and nodded. “True. You have a fond attachment to your testicles from what I understand.”

Declan reached down between his legs. “A very fond attachment.” He squeezed and shook his package. Alexis gasped, pretending to cover her eyes.

“Point taken, although I have to say, I might need a microscope to find those things.”

“Oh, you didn’t just insult my thunder down under.”

Alexis’ mouth dropped open. “And you seriously didn’t just call your junk the thunder down under.”

It was at that moment Alexis’ stomach decided to join in the conversation and grumble with its need for sustenance. “Well, I guess that settles it,” Declan announced. “Your stomach just gave you away. Let’s get some grub.”

Embarrassed, Alexis flattened her hands over her stomach. “Fine. You win that round by default.”

Standing up, Declan picked up his book. “Believe what you want, Doc. We both know you were looking.”

Alexis smiled with rapt amusement. “True, but not for the reasons you think.”

He clicked his tongue, smirking. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, sweetheart.” He patted her head, grabbing their trash from the table. While he discarded of their garbage, Alexis snapped up her phone and replied back to Ryan.

It’ll be better when you get home. Miss you, too. Be safe and see you soon.

She ended the message with her standard heart emoticon and pressed send. Glancing up, she caught a glimpse of Declan perched by the door watching her. His book was tucked under his arm and his eyes narrowed as she slipped her phone back into her pocket. He graced her with a flattering smile, bowed his head, and opened the door for her. She stood up and walked over to him, patting his shoulder as she exited the shop. The night air was brisk, making her grateful she’d brought her windbreaker after all. There wasn’t a moon in the sky and the stars had no luster, even though it was a cloudless night. She inhaled the cool night air, feeling her phone pulse in her pocket.

“I’ll follow you,” she noted, pointing toward her car.

“Sounds good.”

They parted, each heading toward their respective vehicles. Once inside, she turned on the heat, pulling her phone back from her pocket as she waited for Declan. Ryan had responded to her message with nothing more than a heart, producing a smile to her face. Declan honked at her, bringing her back into the moment. She dropped her phone in the cup holder and followed him out of the parking lot. What she didn’t expect was for him to direct her back to his and Ryan’s apartment, where they shared in Declan’s exquisite cooking abilities, work horror stories, laughs, and one too many bottles of wine.

Home!

Before Alexis returned to his life, long trips had always been Ryan’s favorite. He never had any issues working week long stretches. More often than not, he even asked for more flight time. The more hours he accumulated the closer he came to making captain. But now, those trips almost killed him. He stopped asking for hours as often, because spending time with Alexis was his top priority. Anytime they were together his whole world felt complete. He savored their long talks, the sound of her laughter, the way she felt pressed against his body, but more than anything, he loved that she was starting to open up to him.

As soon as the plane landed, he messaged her, but no response came. He brushed it off thinking she was probably doing her last minute rounds. She’d told him she had a few days off from work, which excited him, as he was off work, too.

When he got to his car, he texted her again. A little reminder that he’d made it home, but he got nothing in response, which was unlike Alexis.

There was a twinge of panic in his gut. Maybe something was wrong.

He shoved it aside as him overreacting and tried calling her. It was possible she’d fallen asleep at the hospital. It wouldn’t be the first time that’d happened. When it came to her patients, Alexis was a machine, one of the many qualities Ryan admired about her. “Lex, it’s me. I’m sure you’re okay, but I haven’t heard from you. I’m home. Call me and let me know if we’re still meeting at the diner.”

But still no response.

He stopped off at the diner, thinking maybe she’d gone straight there, or maybe her phone had died. But when he arrived, there was no Alexis.

Again, he called, “Okay, Lex, you’re starting to worry me. Call me, please.”

His mind whirled with an infinite number of possibilities of what could hold her up. The swirl of panic in his gut began to trickle up his spine. He headed to the hospital, only to find Mary, who’d informed him that Alexis had left work hours before. This worried him even more. Something had to be terribly wrong.

“Lex,” he called her again, “I’m on my way to your place. Please be there.”

But she wasn’t. Her car was gone and her apartment was dark. That didn’t stop him from banging on her door, hoping that maybe she was there but asleep. Who cared if the world was asleep? His girl was missing and it scared him to death.

On his way back to his car, he called her again, “Alexis, where are you? Please, if nothing more, let me know you’re safe.”

It was only a few blocks to his apartment, and in that time he contemplated contacting the police.

Maybe she’s at Miles’ place.

The instant that thought came into his head, it left. He knew better. Things between Miles and Alexis had become a little more cordial as time passed, but not by much. He couldn’t imagine her staying the night with them. Not if it meant her missing their time together.

All the way home, his heart raced. He imagined the worst. Car accident, leaving her helpless and alone. A store robbery and at that moment some crazed lunatic was holding a gun to her head. So many scenarios filled his head, but never in his wildest imagination would he have expected to find her at his place.

What the hell?

There, parked in his spot, was her car, and next to it was Declan’s. Here he was, ready to call the cops and she was there. Relief flooded him at the thought she was safe. A little confused at what she’d be doing at his place, he unloaded his luggage from the car and made his way into the apartment building.

He tried not to think, letting his mind and body go blank as he took the elevator up to his floor. It was quiet, no one around, as he’d expect at that time of the morning. Out of the elevator, he walked down the hall, trepidation mounting in him with each step.

The door opened with a creaking sound, but instead of finding Alexis sitting in his living room, as he’d hoped, he was welcomed by complete darkness. The lights were off and the place was silent. Ryan left his luggage at the door and walked toward the kitchen. He flipped on the light to find dishes in the sink and two wine glasses sitting on the counter. Next to the empty glasses were Alexis’ messenger bag and cell phone.

But still no one was around.

He couldn’t wrap his mind around what he was seeing. Not Alexis. Not with Declan. That was impossible. The room started to spin. Air wouldn’t fill his lungs. Every inch of his body prickled and the walls around him felt as if they’d cave in on him at any moment. He felt crushed. Hurt. Defeated.

Placing his hands on the counter, he steadied himself, and forced air into his lungs. The click of a door caught his attention. He glanced down the hall and his heart stopped. There stood Alexis, sneaking out of Declan’s bedroom. Her hair was tousled and she still wore her scrubs, suggesting she came there straight from work.

Blood boiled under his skin. He stood up straight and balled his fists at his side, his teeth clenched together. She stopped the instant she noticed him.

“I was just about to text you. I’m so sorry,” came her hushed whisper.

“Save it. I get it. You were a little busy.” His body shook with the sting of his anger. Betrayal. All this time he thought things were progressing between them. He longed for her, and he hated how seeing her leave Declan’s room made him feel. He wanted to rush into his roommate’s room and beat him within an inch of his life.

“Excuse me?” she hissed, as she moved down the hall, glancing over her shoulder one last time.

He extended his hand out toward the vacated door. “You. Were. Busy.” He enunciated each word as if speaking to a child. He squared his shoulders, taking in a deep breath. “And I’m sorry if I interrupted y’all. I can leave if you need me to.”

“Ryan, it’s not what you think. I ran into Declan at…”

He sniffed hard, waving his hand. “It’s cool.” He played it off. He wouldn’t allow her to see how crushed he was on the inside. The nerdy little teenage boy buried deep inside him raised his head, pointing out that, once again, she’d chosen someone else over him. Maybe it would’ve been better if she’d never come back into his life.

“No, you don’t get it.” She moved toward him, her hands extended out.

Ryan took a step back. “I do, and it’s all good. It’s really none of my business.”

She hunched her shoulders, her brow furrowed and her face scrunched up. “You don’t care?”

“Why should I? It’s not like we’re together or anything.”

Those words almost choked him. He felt his mouth go dry and his stomach lurch. The expression on her face made it even worse.

“You’re right. We’re not together.” Her voice sounded weak, defeated.

She brushed past him to collect her belongings. Everything about that one, little touch set his soul afire and that only added fuel to his anger. He didn’t want her to make him feel alive. He hated that all he wanted to do was kiss her and force her to forget Declan ever existed. He backed away, putting distance between them.

“I guess I’ll see you later,” she rasped.

“Sure. Call me. Maybe we can do something this weekend.”

“I thought…” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You know what, don’t bother.”

“Huh?”

The hurt that had been so evident in her disappeared. Fury now radiated from her; she was on the verge of explosion. “Don’t bother wasting your time on me this weekend. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do. Or maybe better people.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means, I’ve lived here for almost four months now and you still haven’t introduced me to Reagan. You get your cake and eat it, too. You look down on me for being here tonight, but I’m not supposed to think anything of
her
.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” He threw his hands in the air. “We’re back on Reagan again? If you want to meet her, fine!”

“What the hell is going on out here?” Declan stumbled from his bedroom, shirtless. His eyes drooped with sleep and his hair was a mess.

“Nothing,” Ryan seethed.

“I’m leaving,” Alexis announced. “And thanks for the best sex I’ve ever had, Deck. We’ll have to do it again soon.”

Declan’s eyes were suddenly wide and awake. “Wha─”

Alexis didn’t give either of them time to say anything. She walked out the door, and slammed it behind her. The whole apartment rattled at the sheer force behind her escape.

Declan scratched the apple of his ass, plopping down on the kitchen chair. “What the hell just happened?”

Ryan shoved his shoulder. Declan sprang up in defense. “I thought I told you she was off limits,” Ryan yelled. He jabbed his index finger into Declan’s chest.

The corner of Declan’s mouth lifted. “You did.”

“Then what the hell was that!” Ryan flung his hand toward the door.

Declan pushed around Ryan, and returned to his seat. “We bumped into each other last night. One thing led to another and we ended up back here.”