Doc Cedarwood Read online

  Table of Contents

  Books by Megan Slayer

  Title Page

  Legal Page

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Trademark Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

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  About the Author

  Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

  Single Books

  Constant

  Permanent

  Vaulting

  Drive my Car

  We Belong Together

  Finding Michael

  Must Love Dogs

  The One I Want

  You and Me Again

  The Real Me

  My Other Half

  Cedarwood Pride

  Home to Cedarwood

  Ripples in Cedarwood

  Scoring in Cedarwood

  Rainbows over Cedarwood

  Rocking Cedarwood

  Cedarwood Manny

  Together in Cedarwood

  Anthologies

  Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

  Out of Bounds: Making the Play

  Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

  Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

  Collections

  What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

  Cedarwood Pride

  DOC CEDARWOOD

  MEGAN SLAYER

  Doc Cedarwood

  ISBN # 978-1-83943-032-9

  ©Copyright Megan Slayer 2020

  Cover Art by Cherith Vaughan ©Copyright May 2020

  Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

  Pride Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

  Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.

  Book eight in the

  Cedarwood Pride series

  Can an accident and a rim job lead to lasting love?

  Aiden Connor isn’t looking for a date. Sure, he wants one, but relationships seem to be too difficult to maintain. He’s an ER doctor and doesn’t have time for commitment…that is, until he runs over a curb and needs a new rim for his sports car. The mechanic isn’t anything like he expects, but could be the one man he needs if he’s willing to open his mind and heart.

  Matt Phillips equates dating with disaster, but sees himself as an eternal optimist. When he catches sight of Aiden, he wants to give relationships a try. Every cell in his body screams to get the sexy doctor naked and in his bed. But Matt has demons and addictions he’s still working through. Will he fall prey to his past or learn and move forward with the hot doctor?

  Dedication

  For JPZ, my editor and my lucky ducks.

  You all rock.

  Trademark Acknowledgements

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Cadillac: General Motors

  Chevy: General Motors

  Dodge: FCA US LLC

  Saab: Saab AB

  Toyota: Toyota Motor Corporation

  Twilight : Stephenie Meyer

  Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Alliance

  Chapter One

  “My name is Aiden and I’m not a parent.” Aiden stood in front of the support group and laced his fingers together. “I’m the not-so-rare breed called the child of gay parents. I grew up well-adjusted and happy. If my father, Keye, hadn’t died, we’d still be a happy family. My other father, Len, decided not to seek out another partner after Keye’s passing five years ago. Last year, he decided to try again with a man named Ross. Anyway, I knew I was loved, cared for, I had boundaries, and if I screwed up, my dads and Keye loved me enough to punish me.” He swept his gaze around the room. Meeting at the hospital wasn’t the norm for the group, but he couldn’t complain. They’d been able to come to him and he appreciated the gesture.

  Colin Baker stepped up beside Aiden. “He’s leaving out the best part.” He grinned. “Aiden grew up big, strong and to become a doctor.”

  “Well, there is that.” The tips of his ears burned. He wasn’t embarrassed to admit his profession. Being a doctor was in his blood. Sure, he had a good job, but he wasn’t much different from anyone else. “I’m here at the hospital and I’ve put my work number on the business cards in case you or your children have questions. I’ve been in their shoes and know a lot of how they feel.”

  He flexed his fingers and waited for questions, but none came. Some of the group members left their chairs and others turned to chat with those around them. He eased away from the people and made his way to the door. His phone hadn’t buzzed—good thing. According to the schedule, he was off for the next twenty-four hours, but that didn’t mean much. If the emergency room staff numbers weren’t up to regulations, he’d be called in until he maxed out his allowed hours. He’d racked up so much overtime that if he were hourly, not salary, the hospital would go broke.

  “Good turnout tonight, especially since we scheduled it for a Thursday.” Colin straightened the pamphlets on the table, then arranged the various cards. “It’s not one of our usual chatty meetings, but the others will be happy to have another resource in you. The kids need to know they aren’t alone and can succeed.”

  “Gage is doing just fine and I guarantee he knows he’s not alone,” Aiden said. “I’ve seen his artwork in the children’s ward. I’m glad the school teamed up with the hospital to do that for the pediatrics. It’s awesome and boosts our morale, too.”

  “He’ll be thrilled.” Colin stuffed his hands into his pockets. “You’re going to be at the wedding, right?”

  “I am.” How could he forget the wedding of Farin Baker and Steve Moore? He’d only known Farin since the seventh grade. Everyone in the gay community seemed to be invited to the ceremony. He wished he had a date. Going alone would suck and he despised hook-ups at such events.

  “I’m ready to rip out my hair. I never realized how picky my baby brother can be,” Colin said. “If it’s not the flowers
or lack thereof, it’s the music or the events at the reception. He’s got the whole damn thing organized. There’s a time for dancing and one for sitting and being quiet. Who’s quiet at a wedding reception?”

  “The brother of the groom. It’s Farin’s day—well, his and Steve’s. Let them do it how they want.” Not that he knew anything about weddings. He’d never been married and his last relationship had lasted a whole three years. Other guys loved being with a doctor and the paycheck he received, but hated his hours and how much time he was expected to spend away from them. Maybe I’m dating the wrong men.

  “I keep telling myself that. Jordan tells me the same thing, but I still want to clobber Farin when he goes Groomzilla on us. I wasn’t this bad when I married Jordan—at least I don’t think so. We walked, we stood, we said I do, then had one hell of a party at the house.” Colin shook his head. “I just wouldn’t have thought he’d be…like this.”

  “It’ll be over in two days. You’ll live.” Aiden clapped Colin on the shoulder. “Speaking of days, I have exactly one day off before I’m expected back at the hospital. I’m on for an eight-hour shift on Saturday, so if I’m running late, that’s why.”

  “We’ll keep an eye out. Thanks for the heads-up and thanks for talking to the group. Have a good night.” Colin winked, then strode away.

  Aiden grabbed his jacket from the coat rack. The weight of a twenty-four-hour shift had gotten to him. He wanted to go home but wondered if he’d make it. As he navigated through the halls of the hospital, he waved at a couple of the nurses and, in the foyer, nodded to the elderly woman behind the main counter. The moment he stepped into the chilly October air, he blinked and dragged a long breath into his lungs. Nothing worked to wake him up like crisp fall evenings. Well, nothing like those and a good blow job in the morning, but he wasn’t likely to get one. He’d need a boyfriend first. He’d worry about his lack of a partner later. Right now, he wanted to go home, slip into a warm bath or hot shower and collapse for twelve hours straight. Maybe he would meet someone at the wedding or reception.

  Maybe hell will freeze over first.

  * * * *

  Thirty-two hours later, Aiden strode out of the hospital again. Just as he’d guessed, the ER had been short-staffed and had called him in four hours before his eight-hour shift should’ve started. He rolled his shoulders. His joints cracked and popped. A long groan escaped his lips. Why can’t I meet a good massage therapist right about now?

  He made his way across the staff lot to his car. At least he’d had time to change into his suit before his shift had ended or he’d be beyond late. He checked his reflection in the driver’s-side glass. The lines around his eyes were deeper than normal and the crinkles across his forehead were more visible. Christ, he resembled an ogre, not a thirty-five-year-old doctor. Fuck it. He had to get going.

  Aiden slipped behind the wheel of the car, then sped out of the lot. According to the clock, he had exactly twenty minutes to drive across town to the church before the ceremony started. Easy. Right? He turned onto the main road leading away from the hospital. Unlike most hours of the day, few cars were on the thoroughfare. He increased his speed and headed north. A set of headlights blinded him.

  “What the hell?” he groused. “Turn the brights down.” He swerved to the right, but the vehicle with the LED lights kept coming at him. The closest street lamp illuminated the vehicle. A truck. Aiden yanked the wheel to the right again and was rewarded with a clunk. “Shit,” he murmured. The lights went away and, when he checked the rearview mirror, the truck disappeared around the corner.

  Aiden’s hands shook as he limped his car into the closest lot. He parked in the gravel and left the car to check the damage. He rounded the hood. The scent of burned rubber curled in his nose. He choked back a cough and examined the passenger side of his car. “Fucking hell.” He squatted beside the front wheel. “I’m not even sure how to fix this.” He touched the deflated tire and bent rim. Getting to the wedding was now going to be even harder. He stood and whipped his cell phone from his pocket. Who was he supposed to call? Most mechanics would be closed by now. He’d have to phone Whit. He groaned. Whit Sherman was a nice man and a decent enough friend, though not dating material. But he was also invited to the wedding, so if he hadn’t left yet, maybe Aiden could beg a ride.

  Aiden stood on the side of the road. He could’ve sworn he’d seen the advertisements for an auto mechanic near the hospital. He spotted the neon over the garage and hope blossomed in his chest. If he wasn’t mistaken, the sign read OPEN. He retrieved the keys from the ignition and locked the vehicle, then sprinted down the road. “Just don’t close before I get there.” He pushed himself, pumping his legs and praying. “Please stay open.”

  Part of him wished he’d seen the license plate number or markings on the truck that had run him off the road. But what would he be able to do? Turn the guy in? How was he going to prove the incident other than his bent rim and blown tire?

  Aiden bounded across the asphalt to the front of the garage. At the door, he stopped to catch his breath.

  A man strode out of the first garage bay and wiped his hands on a soiled rag. “Can I help you?”

  “Hi.” Aiden stood upright and puffed. Shit, he was out of shape. “Do you have a tow truck?”

  “We do. What happened? Usually people come here in a vehicle. You seem to be without one.” The man smiled. The five o’clock shadow darkened his cheeks and his blue eyes sparkled. He’d combed his hair into a short mohawk and the inch-long spikes glimmered in the pink light of the neon sign.

  Aiden read the man’s name tag. Matt. Funny, the guy didn’t strike him as a Matt. More like a Roscoe or a Boss. He smoothed his palms over his thighs. Blood rushed through his body and his nerve endings tingled. Each time he swept his gaze over Matt, his pulse reacted. Either he needed a date and sex, or he’d lost his mind from sleep deprivation. He straightened his shoulders. He wasn’t there for a date. “I ran over the curb down the road. I ruined my tire and probably more.”

  “If you hit the curb on Walker Road, then you jacked up more than a tire. If the rim isn’t a mess, I’d be shocked.” Matt disappeared into the garage bay, then stepped back out again without the rag. He snorted. “Most rims are a mess and if you did one hell of a job on it…” He whistled, then grinned. “Nice.”

  Aiden swayed on his feet. Go figure, he’d found the one mechanic in town to make a lewd joke about rim jobs. “Can you fix it?”

  “I’ll get the truck. I doubt I’ll be able to get to it today because I need to find the right rim to fit your car. That’ll take me at least a couple of hours tomorrow to locate. The tire will be easy—unless you did more damage. I won’t know that until I get a look at the car.” Matt tugged a set of keys from his overalls. “Where did you leave it?”

  “Where I collided with the curb.” He pointed down the road. “You’re sure it’ll take that long?”

  Matt narrowed his eyes. “Guessing from your outfit, you’re late. For a date or your wedding?” He knocked on the frame of the garage bay. “Aaron? I’ll be right back. I’m retrieving a job.”

  “What?” Another man strode into the middle of the door opening. “We’re backed up, man.”

  “Enough. It’s right down there,” Matt said. “I’m taking the job, so it’s not your headache.”

  “I’ll pay extra to get it rushed,” Aiden added. “I’d say I’m desperate, but you’ve probably guessed that.”

  The man Aiden guessed was Aaron rolled his eyes and ducked back into the garage.

  “The truck is over here.” Matt pointed to the massive vehicle. “You’re the black car about a quarter of a mile away?”

  “It’s dark blue, but yes, the sports car.” Aiden toyed with the hem of his suit coat. “It was a splurge. A hiring bonus I bought myself.” Shit. He sounded like an ass. “I’ll shut up.”

  “Right now, I just need the keys. I’m going to assume you’ve locked it.” Matt held out his hand. A tattoo showed
from beneath the cuff of his overalls. “Even if you didn’t, I need the keys to unlock the steering column.”

  “Sure.” He yanked the ring from his pocket. “Sorry.”

  “You’re fine, but like I said, I can’t get it fixed tonight. You might want to call someone to give you a ride. I’m out of loaners. Is it a wedding? Or a date?” Matt asked.

  “What?” Aiden tripped in the gravel. He caught himself and appraised Matt’s body again. He liked the way the overalls clung to Matt’s muscular frame. Sweat glistened on the back of his neck. Aiden shivered. The vibrant blue of Matt’s eyes and his facial hair appealed to him. He wasn’t a fan of men with earrings, but the thick silver hoops worked for the mechanic. “I—it’s not my wedding. I’m not getting married.” He was babbling. Fuck.

  “Oh, sorry.” Matt opened the door of the tow truck and grinned. “I’ll get your car. Feel free to wait in the lobby. We’ve got free Wi-Fi if you want. Aaron will set you up with the paperwork so we can expedite the process.” He climbed into the truck and closed the door.

  Aiden stood in the parking lot for another moment as Matt drove away. He should move. If he wanted to get to the reception on time, he needed to call Whit. His mind wandered. What would Matt look like without the overalls? Was he a T-shirt and jeans type or did he prefer cargo shorts and polo shirts? How about naked? Aiden shivered again. Yeah, he wanted to see Matt in the buff. Like that’s gonna happen.

  He shook his head and crunched across the gravel to the building. Once in the lobby, he tugged his phone from his breast pocket. The wedding should’ve started by now. Instead of calling, he texted Whit.

  Need your help. Car trouble. Can you pick me up after the wedding?

  He sighed. Fuck. He’d made a mess of the night and it was only eight o’clock.