Chapter 8
Bentley
When I saw Jax sitting on that bench, he looked so lost and broken. It’s something that calls to me, a feeling I can relate to. The girls at work are always saying I’m a harbourer of lost souls, and I guess Jax is just another one I’m bringing in. I’d like to think that’s why I’m so good at my job, the amount of empathy I have for the sick and injured. Plus, there’s no doubting Jax would fit right in around here.
Is that what this is? My professional life crossing over into my personal one? It has to be, there’s no other explanation as to why I offered to help him. It’s not like I like the guy. Although I do admit I was taken aback by his outburst about what people expect from him. Maybe that contributed to the offer I made him too. He’s obviously struggling with a few things, and I want to help him through that. I know I can. But I will under no circumstances allow him into my “tight-arse” shorts. Nope, no way, not happening. He is highly entertaining so it might be worth keeping him around for that.
I finish my workout and head to work. There’s a huge smile on my face and I’m whistling as I walk through the doors to the vet clinic where I’m a nurse.
“Uh-oh,” Lisa, our resident vet and mother hen, says when she sees me.
“Uh-oh what?” I ask, and start looking around for whatever disaster she’s spotted.
“You’ve got that look,” she says.
“What look?” I cross my arms defensively.
“That ‘I’ve got a new pet project’ look.”
“No I don’t,” I say, and hurry towards the back of the building where our staff room and lockers are.
“Oh yes, you do,” she insists, following me.
I put my bag away and pull out my scrub top before I turn to face her. “No, I don’t. There’s no look, no new ‘project,’” I say, making air quotes.
“Uh-huh,” she says, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. “What is it this time? A refugee family? A crowd-funding account so you can sponsor a donkey in the Himalayas? Oh, are you finally taking that trip to China to volunteer to work with pandas?”
“No, it’s none of that.” I pull my scrub top over my sports bra.
“Aha!” Lisa says triumphantly.
“Aha what?” I ask.
“It’s none of that, meaning there is something, just not what I listed.”
“Fuck.” I’ve been had.
“Come on, lady, spill the beans. Tell Dr Lisa all about your latest project.” She takes a seat across from me at the mismatched and beaten up table-and-chair set.
I sigh and flop down across from her. “It’s nothing really,” I say as I trace a crack in the tabletop with my finger.
“Oh, this one’s going to be a good one,” she says, rubbing her hands with glee.
“What the fuck?” I ask. “How on earth do you know that?”
“Because, my sweet Bentley, when it comes to your projects you’re usually busting at the seams to tell anyone and everyone what’s going on to get them involved. The fact that you’re downplaying this and wanting to keep it to yourself must mean it’s important to you.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head, “it’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“His—” I start, and Lisa squeals.
“His? As in a real life human male?” she asks excitedly.
I sigh again. “Yes, he as in a real life human male.”
“Bentley,” she says, her face soft with affection.
“Oh no, there will be none of that,” I say, gesturing to her face.
“None of what?”
“None of whatever it is you’re thinking.”
She crosses her arms again and arches an eyebrow. “And tell me, dear, just what am I thinking?”
“I can see it. You’re picturing me and him living happily ever after, and I’m telling you right now you can stop it. Nothing of that nature will ever happen, and certainly not with Jax Ryan,” I say with a shudder.
“So let me ask this,” she says, “if this Jax,” she emphasises his name, “is so repulsive, why is he your new project? Furthermore, why are you so dead set on keeping this one to yourself?”
I stop and think before I answer. “I think it’s different because I see so much of myself in him. He’s a freestyle BMX rider, and six weeks ago had a massive crash during a competition. He’s healing, but I don’t think it’s going well. I mean, this guy was hands down the best rider going round, but now he can’t even turn his head quickly without losing his balance. Something he loves hurt him.” I stop and shrug. “I don’t know, something about that calls to me.”
Lisa grabs my hand and squeezes it tight. “Are you sure you can handle this?” she asks gently.
I nod. “I’m totally fine, just helping another lost soul.”
“Hmm,” she says and I can tell she doesn’t believe me.
“Seriously, Lis, I’m good.” After everything happened with Ethan, or Satan as we refer to him in these parts, I went to stay with Lisa. She’s seen me at my lowest and knows how I get when I involve myself in a new project.
“You know I’m here for you if you need me, for anything at all,” she says, a wary look in her eyes.
I squeeze her hand back. “I do, and I love and appreciate that more than you know, but you don’t need to worry. Jax Ryan is the last person I’d ever involve myself with in that way. I’ll help him get his balance back, and that’s it.”