From “Clingy” to Gone My Independence Was His Biggest Regret novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Go book Nova a hotel.”

held the door open for Ezra, then started throwing clothes into my suitcase.

le didn’t like my calm reaction. Grabbed my wrist.

She’s an adult. She can handle it herself.”

Why are you packing? Where are you going?”

yanked my arm free.

Don’t you have your own life to deal with? Why are you obsessing over my plans?”

zra went quiet.

e recognized his own words thrown back at him.

fter a beat, he said gently:

Not telling you about the conference was wrong. I’ll keep you updated from now on.”

Tomorrow I have to hit the university. Nova’s roommate drama escalated. The dean wants to meet with family, but her parents can’t make it. So I’m going.”

ush your surgery back a day. I’ll come with you.”

uess I was still at the bottom of his list.

kept packing.

Don’t bother. Won’t make a difference anyway.”

zra looked at me like I was missing something obvious.

can get you the best surgeons, explain your test results. At least handle the boring stuff like paperwork and waiting.”

is phone buzzed before I could shut him down again.

ova’s panicked voice filled the room.

Dr. Martinez, someone’s messing with my door lock… I’m so scared…”

zra’s face went pale. He bolted for the door.

Hold up.” I called.

le spun around, already irritated.

Seriously, Reese? You think I need permission to help someone who might be in danger?”

This isn’t the time for your jealousy. She could be in real trouble. Can you drop the attitude for once?”

He paused, then sighed like I was being unreasonable.

Tll be at your surgery, but right now you need to figure out what actually matters.”

He had it completely wrong.

hapter 3

was trying to tell him not to bother with the surgery at all.

ut he was already out the door.

ly surgery got rescheduled anyway.

zra knew my surgeon personally. He’d gone behind my back and pulled strings.

top giving that poor guy such a hard time.”

1. r. Williams smiled like he was talking to a pouty teenager.

Dr. Martinez filled me in. All that talk about going solo was just you being mad at him.”

le really cares about you. Man’s completely swamped but switched his whole schedule around for a routine procedure.”

tarted to speak but couldn’t get words out. Just felt completely drained.

y original plan was simple: surgery today, fly out tomorrow, start my new job the next day.

stead, Ezra had blown up my entire timeline.

called to give him hell. Nova answered instead.

zra’s passed out. He’s been up all night. What do you need?”

e whispered like she didn’t want to wake him.

our surgery’s today, right? He probably can’t make it now.”

en she caught herself, rushing to explain.

mean, don’t take it the wrong way, Reese…”

ended the call.

if I’d somehow misunderstand.

ova’s Instagram lit up minutes later.

Tothing beats feeling safe and protected. Best big brother ever!]

he photo showed her hotel room.

zra slouched in a chair by the window, completely out, with dark circles under his eyes.

ike he’d been standing guard all night.

blocked them both and called a hospital in Seattle.

Whatever.

Good thing it was minor surgery. No overnight stay needed.

f this place couldn’t work, I’d find another one that could.