Facing the reality that the angry person I thought of as my father likely has some ulterior motive to hurt the surgeons that keep finding their way into, well, me would be so much easier if I had a handle on what the hell was going on.

Well, okay, I thought that until about two seconds ago. I can’t figure out where the last sex tape leaked from sex I had in my own damn house happened, but when David asks where I want to meet, I still want to meet at home.

“I’m sure no one has put out a hit on me or anything,” I say with a nervous laugh.

I don’t know though now, something about saying that makes me paranoid. Mostly, it makes me pissed off. Someone keeps violating my privacy.

Someone who I used to think of as the only father I have…well, I know that what he told me that night in the hospital was just what he wanted me to believe. I wouldn’t have begrudged him for wanting me to get out of the spotlight before I came back to work for him, but the way he’s treated me since this whole scandal started taking over my life? Well, I have reasons to believe that he cares a lot less for me than I thought.

David’s voice on the phone honestly made me believe more than anything that I needed to start opening my eyes to what might be in my blind spot. After Julian’s obvious surprise before…after how David told me that he needed to share something, well, I just can’t take any chances, you know?

David knocks on my door and I rush to the door like, for even a second, I can forget the total nightmare that these past few months have been. Because I can’t take much more of this stress. Clearly that’s why despite everything going on I keep leaning pretty hard on the orgasm button that are the three surgeons my adoptive father wants to see suffer…and the three surgeons that I seem to be falling in love with.

Fuck, how crazy is that? This is not normal life? I mean the losing the father thing is pretty damn rough. But dealing with not one or even two men that want you, but three men that are more than happy to share you?

That’s a level of overwhelming I didn’t know existed outside of vibe time. Though…me and my vibrator probably need to start getting better acquainted.

Because the instant I open that door and look at David’s face, I feel heat pooling in my belly. The sight of him makes me swallow.

“Elodie, thanks for having me over. I know that with everything…I just know that I would have understood if you wanted to never see my face again.” David clenches his fist against his leg. I don’t think he even notices the move. I mean I don’t think David or any of his surgeon partners have ever been nervous like they have been lately. I might have to switch careers in a big way, but I can’t even begin to consider what a life without that much hard work and dedication need to count for something. They built their practice from nothing!

David’s words sink heavy on my heart. I can’t imagine a world where I don’t see his face. I don’t say that, but I think I’m dangerously close to sporting some crazy eyes.

“Do you want some coffee?” I had considered brewing a pot, but I didn’t want to get jittery. Not when I have butterflies in the stomach, weak in the knees reactions to David as it is.

“I think I’ll pass. I can’t take any caffeine with what I’m going to tell you.” David inhales and looks right in my eyes. “I’m not going to dance around it. Julian had uncovered proof that Al Jefferson was taking drugs when he got into his…accident. I needed to tell you. I don’t think he can be trusted, and I think there’s a lot more to this story. But I don’t want to shoot conjecture at you. Those are just the facts that we know for certain.” David puts his hands on his temples, looking at me and wondering what I’m going to say. How I’m going to take this.

I know that the way David is looking at me, I can’t doubt anything he’s saying. I feel the raw passion between and know it is more than sex. I know that David would never lie to me, and he’s holding back even more now simply because he doesn’t want to be wrong. If this is what he feels is confirmed enough to bring to me, I’m going to lose my mind if I start thinking about what else there is yet to be proven with evidence. “David, thank you for telling me. I can’t believe…wait. That’s not what I want to say.” I throw my hands up in the air. “He’s not the person I thought he was at all. I can’t believe that whatever he’s done that he’s decided to drag your private practice through the mud to cover it up.” My voice starts to get shrill. “This place is bugged. Who knows what’s going to make the news next. I am really interested to see how this is my fault. My fault, and my pussies! Because heaven forbid a woman in this world like getting fucked. Apparently who she gets fucked by and how are just public fucking domain!” I turn around, putting my palms on my knees and crouching, trying to regain my cool.

And, the worst fucking timing ever, there’s a knock at my door.

I rush toward the door, and David follows quickly behind me, looking concerned.

The last time he visited my shitty ex, Chris, showed up and demanded basically that I fuck him.

And I’ll be damned if Chris isn’t at the door right now when I open it.