Chapter 42: Hepatic Parenchyma & Other Pick-Up Lines
Miller
Oh my God, It worked. I smiled as I watched the club doors for the last time and seeing as no one had walked back in, it means that they were no longer around and Rhys had found a way to take Kayden away.
I turned my head back, my gaze landing on Leo. He was still standing right at the center of the dance floor.
Standing this close, the height difference was almost comical. As 6’3", I always knew I was taller than regular people but in front of Leo, I was much more taller. He was small, too small for a Beta.
I had to tilt my head down just to look him in the eye and looking at his frame, he was lean and looked so small in front of me and I had the sudden fleeting thought that I could probably just wrap my arms around him.
The strobe lights flared overhead and gave me a high definition look at him quickly. His blonde buzz cut was short and it was the first thing that had attracted me to him when Coach Reddick introduced him to the team. It gave him this unexpected cute look that didn’t match his doctor’s identity.
When the flash came again, I saw his face and he was staring at me with a frown on his face as if he already knew what was happening.
"You are not exactly subtle are you, Miller Reid, right?" Leo asked, screaming over the loud music. He had to crane his neck slightly to look up at me. "I know you are using me as a distraction for Rhys," he continued, his gaze narrowing behind his glasses. "Sorry, I don’t do athletes."
I just stood there for a second letting the bass rumble through my boots while I stared at him. His voice was soft fitting his small frame and it got me more interested in him.
I found myself focusing on the way his lips moved trying to catch every word over the thumping rhythm of the club.
I couldn’t help it as a slow smile spread across my face. He was so small yet talked like he was bigger than me and I loved that. Most people get intimidated when I tower over them but Leo just looked at me like I was a particularly stubborn textbook he had to read.
"Subtle? Doc, If I were subtle, I’d be a scout, not a center," I rumbled lowering my voice as I leaned forward to face him. I took a step closer letting my shadow swallow him and the light flashed on his face again and I caught a glimpse of the silver piercing on his brow. "Distraction is such a dirty word. I prefer to think of it as clearing the path. For Calder, sure, but mostly for me."
I was shamelessly flirting now. I had only knew about this man’s existence few hours ago and now I wanted him.
"Also," I continued pointing towards him. "And that no athletes rule? That sounds like a challenge, Doc, as I am a very competitive man," I purred leaning down again so I was closer to his level. "What’s the matter?" I asked when he didn’t say anything. "Are you afraid I will be too much to handle?"
Leo didn’t even blink, he looked unimpressed as he raised his head to look at me. The light flashed on his face again and I saw him squeeze his face real tight.
Then he spoke up. "It’s not a matter of handling you, Miller Reid. It’s a matter of professional hygiene," he replied, his tone perfectly level and straightforward. "I have been the team physician not up to twenty-four hours and in that time, I have observed all of you and Mr. Miller, you are impulsive, prone to seeking dopamine through risky social interactions. Currently, your pupils are dilated likely due to the environment though your ego is a significant factor. For your information, I don’t mix my clinical practice with my personal life especially not with an..." he paused and then shouted out the word. "An athlete!"
I let out a short surprised breath of a laugh. That wasn’t the response I had expected from him. "Ouch, is that your official diagnosis, Doc?" I asked grinning wider. "Because I feel like I might need a second opinion. Maybe over a drink?"
"My diagnosis is that you are bored and looking for a trophy," Leo countered. "I am your physician who is here to ensure you stay on the ice."
I couldn’t help but chuckle. The guy was as cold as a November morning in Canada and it was making me want him twice as bad. I loved a challenge.
"Listen," I leaned one arm against a nearby pillar effectively caging him without actually touching him, making the most of the five inches I had on him. "You are focused on my ego, Doc," I teased and ran a hand through my hair. "But you are missing the point. I am not looking for a trophy. I am looking for a conversation with you."
Leo scoffed and glanced towards the exit, his brow piercing catching a flash of blue light as he frowned. "Where did Rhys Calder take Kayden? I need to make sure he is fine and as his..." he paused and didn’t finish the word as he continued. "I should be with him."
I let out a low dark laugh shaking my head. "Forget it, Doc, Kayden is long gone. We should let them be and since your Friend has left, how about that drink? Just one. Unless..." I trailed off, a mischievous glint forming in my eyes. "Unless you can’t handle your liquor and you are afraid of getting drunk and realizing that I am actually as charming as I think I am?"
"I am not afraid of alcohol, Miller. I am simply protective of my hepatic parenchyma. I prefer not to induce unnecessary metabolic stress on my liver just to satisfy your need for an audience."
I blinked, a grin tugging at my mouth. "Your what? Speak English, Doc. We are in a club, not a classroom."
"I am watching my liver," he deadpanned.
I barked out another laughter, genuinely delighted by how difficult he was being. Never had I laughed like this in a while. "You spoken like a true man of science, but come on, live a little. Drink with me. Who knows?" I leaned down, my lips hovering just inches from his ear so he could feel the heat of my breath. "Maybe if you play your cards right, you might even patch me up as your patient tonight. I heard I can be very demanding of a doctor’s attention."
Leo didn’t push me neither did he pull away, he just raised a single judgmental eyebrow. "If you manage to injure yourself while standing still in a VIP lounge, Miller Reid, I won’t be patching you up. I will be referring you to a neurologist to check for a coordination deficit."
I rolled my eyes at his words yet again. "God, you are brutal," I grinned. "Well, I love it. Now, bar, or do I have to carry you there?"
Leo adjusted his glasses and shook his head. "I have functional legs and I am perfectly capable of walking without being carried like a medical casualty."
I chuckled stepping back just enough to give him some space but I didn’t take my eyes off him for a second. "So is that a yes to the drink, Doc? Or are you bragging about your legs?"
"It’s an agreement to one drink," he corrected already turning away from me. "And purely because the acoustic levels in this specific area are reaching a decibel range that is likely to cause permanent cilia damage. I would prefer to speak somewhere where I don’t have to vibrate my vocal cords at maximum capacity just to tell you leave me alone," he added and didn’t wait for my reply as he started heading toward the stairs of the VIP lounge, his posture straight and his blonde buzz cut glowing under the neon light.
I smiled at his small frame and then walked after him. "So only one drink?" I called out jogging a few steps to catch up with him. "I have been known to be very persuasive after the second round."
"Then you are going to be very disappointed by my metabolic resistance."