Unfriending the Dr by Piper Sullivan

Ryan

She’s finally mine. I looked down at the Speedster with a big shit-eating grin on my face. The boys weren’t here yet because it was still school hours, but I had decided to take Persephone’s advice and start on the restoration without them. It would teach them all a lesson, but it also meant I had to do a lot of the grunt work myself, which I didn’t mind. My uncle and grandpa had all started with the grunt work, learning the art and science of car repair and restoration from the ground up.

The paint needed an upgrade. The upholstery on the inside was a mess, and even the steering wheel needed, well, everything. I couldn’t wait to get to the engine, so I started by removing the battery first.

And that was as far as I made it before the phone rang. “Branson Automotive, what can I do for you today?”

“Ryan, Sherriff McCormick here. Just passed an antique broken down on the side of the road, if you’ve got time.”

The Speedster would have to wait. “When you say antique, are we talking a tractor from the nineteen-twenties or a real antique?”

His rumble of laughter put a smile on my face. “It’ll be worth the trip to the edge of town, I promise. Would’ve stopped myself but I’ve been called to JRMC for a DV.”

I rubbed a hand over my face at those words. It was easy to think in a town like Jackson’s Ridge things like domestic violence didn’t happen, but they did. They happened everywhere. The only difference was that chances were good we all knew the victim and the offender. “I’ll head out now. Thanks for the call.”

“Anytime. You start on that Speedster yet?”

“I was just about to,” I answered and took another long look at the car, knowing she would have to wait.

“Sorry.”

“No worries. When I’ve made some progress, I’ll let you know.”

When the call was over, I flashed one final look at the Porsche, grabbed the keys to the tow truck just in case it was needed, and went to find the stranger with the antique car stuck on the side of the road.

Driving through town, I smiled at all the people who had stopped in the middle of running errands or shopping just to say high, but the truth was they were most likely exchanging the latest gossip. It could also be recipes, changes to the Sweet Treats menu, Megan and Casey’s impromptu softball game and wedding, or taking bets on when Gus and Antonio would tie the knot. Like I said, gossip.

By the time I reached the edge of town, my thoughts were back on Persephone and those beautiful violet eyes. They saw everything, except the truth of what I felt for her. Or maybe she did see it, and she didn’t want it.

That was a hard pill to swallow, but if that was the truth, I would find a way to accept it.

But not before I made a genuine and concerted effort to make her mine.

“What in the hell?”

I found the antique, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air—metallic red paint, white convertible top, and I’d bet anything the interior was white with red threading. The damn thing had smoke coming out of both ends and I drove another quarter-mile up the road to turn around and pull in front of the fire hazard.

The car was a thing of beauty, and well maintained, too. Except for all the smoke. So much damn smoke.

“What seems to be the problem?” I bent down near the driver’s seat and found the car empty.

A dark head of hair appeared first on the other side of the car, and then a face appeared. Familiar, with surprised green eyes and messy blond hair—and instantly I knew who it was.

“Holy shit, man, am I glad to see you. Anyone, really, but it’s been a minute since anyone zoomed past here. I was startin’ to wonder if this town really existed. The name is Gavin. Think you can give me a ride into town? I can pay.”

I laughed and shook my head at his word vomit. “Yeah, man, I know who you are. Gavin Ross, lead singer of Tragic Havoc. What I don’t know is what the hell you’ve done to this Bel Air.”

He flashed a smile that I’d heard Persephone gasp at on more than one occasion, and I wanted to hate the guy. But his music was good and he seemed like an all right guy. “No fucking clue, man. It just jerked, bubbled and hissed, and then went to shit. Know a good mechanic?”

I thumbed at the flatbed parked about twenty feet in front of us. “Mechanic and damn good restorer.”

His eyes widened. “No shit?”

“No shit.” I popped the hood and shook my head. The car was in excellent condition, on the outside. The inside had been sorely neglected. “Don’t you have people who make sure you get regular maintenance on your cars?”

“Uh, yeah. Normally. I won this beauty on my way, in a card game in Vegas.”

Vegas? “You got here from Los Angeles through Vegas?”

Gavin shrugged and put a finger to his lips. “As long as you promise not to tell my agent, then yeah.”

“You won it in a card game? You got proof of that?”

“Deed’s in the glove compartment. The guy said it was a good, solid car, and look,” he knocked on the hood, “how sturdy she is. I guess maybe I should have done a tune up or something before driving from Vegas to Oregon?”

“You think?”

“Now I do.”

I laughed and shook my head before getting the car hitched up on the flatbed. “Where do you need to go?”

“Just to town. I can make my way to my appointment from there.”

A man’s secrets were his own so I gave him a nod and then motioned for him to hop in the passenger seat. “Hop in.”

We drove mostly in silence. Gavin seemed deep in thought, so I left him to it, but I was curious as hell what brought him to Jackson’s Ridge.

Gavin played finger drums on his knees, hummed along to an old country rock ballad, and did everything to avoid talking about his reason for coming to town. “This place is so real, man. So fucking real.”

“Guess you don’t get a lot of that in your life?”

“Not enough,” he grumbled.

“That’s why you get the money and the willing women, to make up for your lack of reality.”

Gavin Ross laughed and shook his head, shoulders heavy with the weight of the world on them. “Maybe.”

You want to come into the shop? It’s empty now so you can have a few more minutes of reality.”

“Yeah, I should probably check on Sue Ellen, make sure she’s all right.”

“Sue Ellen?”

“That’s what the guy I won the car from called her. It wouldn’t be right to change her name.”

“Obviously,” I shot back, sarcasm heavy in my voice.

After a quick exam, I shrugged and turned to the rock star walking around my shop. “She’s not damaged beyond repair, but it might be a few weeks before she’s ready to go back on the road.”

Gavin let out a heavy sigh and grumbled to himself. “Same could be said of me.”

My curiosity, or my time as a lifelong resident of Jackson’s Ridge was getting the better of me and I wanted to know—badly—why he was in town. But it was his business, and a man’s personal business was just that, unless he decided to share it with you. “You have someplace to stay in town? We don’t have a lot of lodging, but it fills up fast.”

“I bought that mansion overlooking the cliffs int own a couple years ago. Haven’t been here much, but the place is mine.”

I scratched my head and looked at him. There had been no mention in town that a rock star owned property in Jackson’s Ridge. “I’ve never seen you around here and I would have at least noticed—my best friend is a huge fan. Got her through med school, according to her.”

Gavin shrugged and dropped down in one of the uncomfortable metal chairs that didn’t encourage guests to stay and chat. “I pay my staff well to keep my business out of the media and the mouths of gossips.”

I laughed and wished I could do the same, not that it would matter. “That’s smart, but fair warning.”

“Get outta town by sunset?”

“Hell no. This is a small town and people are going to talk about you. Not much else to do around here but gossip, but it’s all in good fun. You can trust that if any sneaky reporters come to town, they’ll get told off and sent away. You’ll like it here if you stay long enough to get used to it.”

His blond brows arched in disbelief. “A few autographs and I’ll be all good?”

I let my head fall back and roared with laughter. “You wish. Be prepared for advice on your song lyrics, matchmaking, and endless propositions.”

“No! Are you for real?”

I nodded, my expression serious. “I’m for real, but it’ll be more fun for everyone if you find out for yourself.”

Gavin shuddered. “I feel like I should be slightly terrified.”

“Take that feeling and embrace it. Respect it. Lean into it.”

His laughter muffled the sound of the metal door opening and then slamming shut, but it didn’t hide the familiar tapping of high heels with determined steps drawing closer and closer.

Persephone.

I held my breath and waited for her to go all fangirl on Gavin Ross, but her violet gaze was fixed firmly on mine. She was beautiful in a light purple dress that showed off her spectacular tits, narrow waist, and hips that I now knew were perfect for grabbing on to.

“Ryan,” she growled. “There you are.”

“Here I am.” I smiled at her annoyed expression.

“I came by a few minutes ago and you weren’t here.”

“Work.”

She shook her head, arms folded, and her eyes staring holes into my body. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Okay,” I answered, drawing the world out into four, possibly five syllables.

“I think we should have sex again. Make sure it wasn’t a fluke, that it was as vibrant as our memories say.”

A booming masculine laugh bounced off the brick walls and concrete flooring. “You’re right, Ryan, I am gonna like it here. Got my first piece of gossip to share. That should get me out of some of this mess, right?”

Persephone froze and turned slowly until she found the source of the laugh. Recognition dawned in her eyes and I held my breath, waiting for her squeal with delight and tell Gavin how much she loved him.

But I underestimated her.

She sucked in a breath and pointed a manicured nail at Gavin Ross, world famous rock star. “Nice to meet you, Gavin. I am a huge fan. Huge, but if you tell anyone what you just heard…” She leaned back on her heels and folded her arms, a clear threat in her expression.

“Yes?”

“Let’s just say that I’m a doctor and I can make just about anything look like an accident.”

Instead of being offended, Gavin tossed his head back and laughed. Long and hard, with his whole body, which was fully clothed for once. “I like you, Persephone, so I’ll note your threat and keep my mouth shut. But I can’t promise the good people of this town won’t pry it out of me.” He pretended to zip his lips, mischief shining in his eyes. “You’re a lucky man, Ryan. I’ll see you around.”

“You want to fill out some paperwork so I can contact you when Sue Ellen is ready?”

He laughed and shoved his hands into his pockets, strolling slowly out of the shop. “I’ll stop by again soon. Gotta hear how this story ends up. Oh, and say yes, that is one stunning babe.”

Persephone snorted but I noticed the blush creep up her chest, neck and cheeks. “Well, that was surreal.”

“It was… something.”

Persephone turned to me, her expression wary. Serious. “Don’t say anything yet, please. Just think about it. Please.

I let out a half-snort, half-laugh. “I doubt I’ll be able to think of anything but that for the foreseeable future.”

She smiled, but it was shaky. “Okay. Well, you’ll let me know?”

I nodded. “I most definitely will.”

What the hell else would I think about but having the woman of my dreams all to myself for once?