Dr. Mitchell: Chapter 21

I felt like I was pulled back into middle school when I approached the beautiful women who surrounded another section of this boat’s party deck. All conversations instantly ceased and forced smiles were put in place. Lillian walked out to the front, and for the first time, the woman hugged me and air-kissed each of my cheeks.

“Darling, what on earth are you doing here?” she asked with a strange giggle, the group behind her slowly surrounding me now.

“I came with Jake,” I stated with a smile, trying to refrain from staring at the woman as if she’d transitioned into some other version of herself. “I’d ask the same question, but I’m guessing you’re here with your friends.”

“Oh, dear, you’re too innocent.” She cackled. “No, I’m here with James, his brother. I’m sure you might have met him.”

“Unless you weren’t present for the whole pool scene, I’m sure you’d know I’ve met Jim.”

“Excuse me,” a woman said. Instantly, I recognized her. She was with Jake at the coffee shop in San Francisco, and she was at my cousin’s wedding. “What’s your name again?” she asked, her eyes unreadable.

“Ashley,” I answered. “I think we’ve met. In San Francisco. I spilled that drink on—”

“I know,” she curtly cut me off. “I’m Vickie,” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “Now that introductions are out of the way, I have to know something: how is it that you have turned up again?”

“Turned up again?” I asked the partially-drunk woman. “I came with Jake.”

She smirked, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t see something wicked flash across her face. “I’m sure you did.” She smiled back at the quiet girls that crowded around us. “However, if you knew him as I do, you’d understand what we all know—you’re a party favor for his special birthday. A shame,” she kept on, “I could have sworn everyone knew about how all four of those boys operate by now. Looks like someone is just another trophy in the Billionaires’ Club for them to place on a shelf.”

I pursed my lips after all the women laughed at the blonde who slurred her insult.

“You know, I’d think you were right about that, especially after following the news on the guy; however, I hate to let you all down by saying I’m not part of this Billionaires’ Club bullshit.”

“Easy on your language, Ashley,” Lillian reprimanded with a laugh. “And if you’re here with Jacob Mitchell, don’t you dare think for a second that you’re not a part of that club. These men want only one thing, and they’re extremely particular about who they get that from.”

“That’s why I’m not part of this shit,” I said, half defending myself and half defending Jake. “I’m not qualified.”

“What makes you say that?” Vickie asked.

“Well, I don’t know. For starters, I’m a college drop-out.” Their faces grew serious, “Excuse me, sorry, a junior-college drop-out. I still live with my dad—Oh, Jake saved his life after a massive heart attack, so that’s a fun fact.”

“A charity case?” Vickie said with a laugh. “Jake is desperate these days.”

“I found it odd, too.” I smiled. “I mean, I get it. I was part of this bullshit of getting laid by a gorgeous guy and moving on the next day, but it turns out that fate brought us back together. I guess he’s keeping me as a party favor for a while.”

“Jake throws his girls away, and trust me when I tell you that you’re not his type.”

“I would imagine that decision is mine alone,” Jake interrupted.

“Why is she here?” Vickie asked Jake, almost as if she and Jake had a history that’d just become that—history.

“Because over the past few weeks, I’ve learned there’s a lot more to this man than any of you have the privilege to know,” I stated.

“I guess that makes you the expert, then,” Vickie responded to me, but her eyes never left Jake’s. “So, when are you going to grow tired of playing with this toy?”

“You’re drunk, Vick. Leave Ash out of our past.”

She smiled and took a large gulp of her cocktail, rage igniting in her eyes. “When this whole game you’re playing backfires in your face, don’t expect me to be around for your fallout.”

“Is that a threat?” Jake sneered. “Because trust me, any shit you have on me isn’t something that hasn’t already been smeared all over the fucking place.” He took my hand in his, “And something tells me your ass is likely responsible for destroying my efforts to spread better news for the medical industry.”

“Say what you want,” she scolded. “We both know what you’re most passionate about.”

“Let’s go, Ash. I won’t listen to this shit anymore.”

“Afraid she might know the person you really are, Jacob Mitchell?” Vickie said.

“As I said, if I were afraid,” I interjected, “I wouldn’t have shown up tonight.”

“Let’s go,” Jake said, ending his stare-down with Vickie, the bitch.

We walked next to the pool toward Collin, Jim, and Alex. “Ash and I are heading to the upper deck. The blackout-drunk mean-girls are waiting for you all.”

“We’ll handle them,” Jim said, then looked at me. “You look like you came out of that without a scratch.”

“I think they were too drunk to tell me what they really thought of me.” I smiled. “It was rather a dull moment. Oh,” I said before leaving with Jake, “Lillian is sort of on one, so good luck with that.” I winced at the intimidating businessman.

Jim’s eyes roamed over to the women. “Alex,” he said, “have someone babysit that group. I’d rather spend my brother’s birthday with him instead of a drunk group of drama queens.”

“Make that two of us,” Collin added.

“And I get to corral them and let them know dancing on the yacht will be the only party they’re partaking in for Jake tonight?” Alex answered and looked at Jake. “You invited them, dumbass.” He laughed. “Get your asses up to the next deck. I’ll handle the hospitality of the lonely-hearts club and be up in a few.”

“That’s why he’s my right-hand guy.” Jim smiled at Jake.

“Oh please,” Collin and Jake looked at each other.

“Yeah, quit acting like you’re God, Jimbo.” He unexpectedly brought my hand up and kissed the back of it. “I’m getting Ash out of here. While you’re in the act of apologizing to me for allowing Lillian on my boat.” He looked at his brother. “You, Jimmy, can also arrange for drinks and food to be brought up there.”

“Get out of here.” Jim rolled his eyes and clapped his brother on the shoulder. “We’ll ensure they’re all taken care of by the staff so we can enjoy some privacy. We seriously need to warn Ashley about the man she’s holding hands with.” Jim winked at me, and then the three were walking off toward the party-goers as Jake led me toward a staircase that spiraled up.

We were out in a private lounge area where comfortable white canvas seating—something I imagined was much more boat-like—was set up. The couch-like accommodation was situated around a slate rock fire pit, shaped in a rectangle with glass to surround and protect the beautiful dancing flames that rose from the rock bed. The wind was muted by glass, but it didn’t block the view as the yacht cruised along the coastline. I leaned against Jake’s side, his arm up and around my shoulders while gazing out at the lights of the city, rolling through the dark water of the ocean.

“What are you thinking?”

I pulled my soft hoodie in tight. “How thankful I am that you thought to have comfortable clothing waiting for us in that pool locker area after we were thrown in tonight.”

He laughed. “Well, I was thinking about how sexy you’d look in a beach poncho that should, of course, complement your yacht pants.”

I ran my hands over the soft cotton fabric. “So, you’ve got my sizes memorized already?”

“No.” He sighed. “Those lounge pants are shamefully too loose.” He kissed my head as we heard the commotion of the guys coming up to the top deck.

“Here,” Jim said, tossing a beer at Jake’s bare chest, of which I was still grateful the man hadn’t pulled on a shirt to conceal his perfect abs from me yet. “You both seem quite cozy,” he winked and handed me a beer after twisting off the cap. “The guys are changing into their uniforms, and then they shall serve your royal highness the food you requested.”

I sat up and curled my legs underneath me. “Is everything okay with us sort of ditching the party back there?”

Jim laughed. “Jake wouldn’t care if they all fell overboard.” He tipped his head back and took a drink of his beer. “Although I don’t know how that would fare with their lawyers.”

“You pity that group of desperate fools too much,” Jake answered. “Besides, we’re up here to avoid them.” He looked at me and smiled. “They won’t get their feelings hurt for our lack of being around them if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“They’re so wasted,” I heard Collin’s raspy, yet deep voice say from behind the door that opened to this private area. “Alex and I actually had to have security babysit the group.”

“Nothing out of the norm,” Alex said as the men sat down and joined the solitude of the environment.

“I saw one of the interns from my ward in that group.” Jake shook his head. “That shit shouldn’t be anywhere near me outside of work, especially with the media buzzing around me like hornets.”

“What’s that saying about the media, Alex?” Jim smirked over at the dark blond man. “If it doesn’t bleed, it doesn’t lead?”

Alex chuckled, his green eyes brilliant against the light of the flames from where he and Jim sat across from us. “Pretty much. And so long as they keep finding stories to dig up on you and poor Jakey here, they’ll keep finding ways to make you bleed before this is over.”

“When will that ever be?” Jake asked. “Good grief, at this point in my life, I’d like to think I knew I was a dumbass and reckless with my life outside of work. And now,” he took another drink of beer, “I get to try and put that chapter in my life behind me while someone is begging to dig up yet another act of stupidity on my part.”

“This isn’t going to ruin your job,” I spoke up. “My dad and I heard multiple patients in your office discussing how they’re worried your talents are going to have them replaced.”

Collin smiled. “It’s a good day when your cardio doc replaces you with a new patient, and you’re alive to move on from the man.” He nodded at me. “Jake’s not replacing anyone, trust me. Those patients—all of his patients—are his other family. Shit.” He punched Jim, where he sat in a chair on Collin’s right. “Even you ride second best to his family of patients.”

Jim eyed me with a smile that reminded me of Jake’s daring grins. “Make that third in Jakey’s lineup.” He leaned forward, resting both elbows on his knees. “I have to hand it to you, Jake. I swear you appear to be a changed man.”

I felt my cheeks warm up, knowing this conversation could go a million different directions.

Jake’s hand ran along my shoulders. “Quit getting sentimental, old man,” Jake said, diffusing any stupid concerns I may have had.

“Speaking of old men,” Collin said, “my dad told me you wouldn’t be performing the surgery.”

“I won’t. I can’t,” Jake stated.

I listened in as I found comfort in the flames of the gas-lit fire. “What are the test results showing? He’s not telling me shit,” Collin asked.

Jake sat up. “I was hopeful.” He ran the bottle of beer between his hands, looking at Collin. “But his kidneys are worse than ever. He and I have been on this goddamn merry-go-round for over five years, and it’s time he gets off the fucker and lets me take care of him. He needs the transplants, and he knows that. His diabetes put him in this position, and he’s not even monitoring that well.”

“It pisses me the fuck off,” Collin said while Jim and Alex looked on with concern.

“He still won’t consider the transplant?” Jim asked.

“Nope. He thinks Jake can turn water into wine.” Collin smirked, but I could see the sadness in his face. “The son of a bitch is going to die because of his obstinacy, and I’m going to kick the goddamn casket over at his funeral when the day comes.”

Jake smiled. “Aside from Ash’s dad, your dad is the most stubborn man I’ve ever met. You don’t run empires by being a pushover, I guess.”

“Yeah, you run them by being smart and stubborn,” Alex said, seemingly as disgusted as Collin was.

“No, shit.” Jim chuckled. “That’s old-man Brooks, though. We all know that Mitchell and Associates wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is now if it weren’t for his help after dad died.”

“Why won’t he do the transplant?” I asked, concerned that Collin was pretty much in my shoes—or where I was before Dad surprised us all by telling Jake that he was going through with the transplant.

Jake looked over at me. “Same reasons your father wouldn’t do it at first, but we’ve been on this subject with Mr. Brooks for at least five years. It’s being stubborn and believing they’re too old to matter. Your father expressed it to me more than once, even when I asked him to consider it for you and not only for him. It’s a difficult thing for one to accept,” he said, eyes diverting to the dark ocean water. “I understand fully why anyone, regardless of their age, would find it difficult to accept a donor organ to save their lives. I’ve seen it first hand, and that’s also why I’ve ensured I was with my clients when the donor family met with the recipient of a heart I transplanted. I’ve watched the donor family listen through a stethoscope, tears pouring out of their eyes. It’s a very emotionally-charged moment, but I’ve seen when the donor family has found peace that their loved one has helped to save another.”

“Wow,” I said. “I’m so sorry.” I looked at Collin. “Until recently, my dad has had me more than frustrated by not even considering the idea of a transplant.” I looked at Jake. “I researched the hell out of success rates, and I didn’t care if we had to sell the house. I didn’t care about losing the material stuff. I saw where we could keep Dad around longer, and he shrugged it off like it was nothing. Thank you, though.” I reached for his hand. “I had no idea you were in there advocating for my side this entire time.” I glanced around the yacht. “However,” I arched an eyebrow at his serious expression, “perhaps you only did all of that because you needed the money. You do seem quite broke.”

Jake licked his lips as they turned up into a smile. “Goddammit, you busted me. I was selfishly pushing for that transplant for my own needs.” He chuckled and brought his lips to mine. “Most definitely not yours. You’ve been the last person on my mind throughout this entire ordeal.”

“We all know this is true.” Alex chuckled. “The four of us can vouch for the fact that we haven’t been badgered about you or even heard your name until tonight.”

“Indeed.” Jim sighed and smirked at Jake. “Whatever those women said down there about you and Jake, I’m probably going to have to agree with them.”

I laughed. “That I was his flavor of the night or whatever?”

“Flavor of the night,” Collin scoffed. “You did that shit to yourself, guy.”

“We all did it to each other, dick,” Jake said. “At least I shall be the first to find someone to change me from my wicked ways,” he said dramatically. “All while you three watch it somehow bite me in the ass.”

“I think Ash here is more confident in herself than to give your sorry ass that much credit, brother.” Collin chuckled.

“This is true,” Jim added. “If she’s managed him, the bad press, the bad him in the press, and still managed to stay with this joker,” he reached over and ruffled Jake’s hair, “then I say all we can do is cheer to the best birthday present you’ve received in your life.”

“To Ashley!” Alex raised his beer.

Jake rolled his eyes and smiled. “Cheer it up, boys, because I’m taking my birthday present to bed.”

With that, the brothers and their friends made their silly toast, and Jake and I left for our room. We walked through yet another exit and ended up where the captain and a crew of two other men were in the wheelhouse of the boat. Jake introduced me, and we moved on, leaving the men to continue to relax after Jake asked them to set anchor and then worked with the men to pick out a new route for the next day. It seemed we were halfway up the coast, and Saturday and Sunday would bring us up toward Carmel-by-the-sea before slowly returning to Jake’s marina.