Always There (Always Series: Book Two) Read online

  Always There

  Lindsay Becs

  Contents

  Playlist

  Important Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Special Thanks

  About the Author

  Other Books by Lindsay

  Copyright ©2019 Lindsay Becs

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written consent of the author except for the use of brief quotation in a book review.

  The characters and events depicted in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover and Formatting: AB Formatting

  Editing: Tricia Harden

  Proofreading: Jennifer Jaks

  Playlist

  Thumbs- Sabrina Carpenter

  Bedroom Floor- Liam Payne

  High Hopes- Panic! at the Disco

  Sober Up- AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo

  Delicate- Taylor Swift

  Don’t Leave Me Alone- David Guetta ft. Anne-Marie

  Just My Type- The Vamps

  Sugar- Maroon 5

  Closer- The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

  Nervous- Shawn Mendes

  Girls Like You- Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B

  Hey, Soul Sister- Train

  This book is for Stacy.

  It wasn’t at first, but then she was the second person to read this book and claimed Ollie as hers.

  #OlliebelongstoStacy

  It’s a thing now.

  Important Note

  Always There is the second book in the Always Series. It begins between the last chapter and epilogue of Always. There are spoilers in this book, and I’d hate to ruin a book for you before you’ve read it. Although you don’t have to read Always, I highly recommend you stop and read it first before you continue on with Always There.

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read this series.

  <3 Lindsay

  Chapter 1

  Ollie

  Ollie,

  I cannot begin to tell you how extremely proud of you I am right now. You did it! You are officially Dr. Oliver Duncan. All the days and nights of studying, reading, learning, and soaking everything in is here. All the sleepless nights and gallons of coffee are over! Well, maybe not since you are a doctor now. Hahaha! Gosh, Ollie, I can’t stop smiling thinking about it. I’m picturing you in a long white coat, looking so handsome.

  I hope you never have any regrets or question choosing oncology. I wish nothing but happiness and contentment for you with your choice. I’m sure at times it has been and will continue to be hard for you given the circumstances that have brought us here; but Ollie, I can’t imagine you doing anything else. You were born compassionate and caring. You will be amazing with your patients, attentive and kind and understanding. That was all I ever wanted from my doctors and I’m positive you’ll be the same with your patients.

  You are incredible and so smart. Don’t forget that, ever. Not even when you have bad days. Days when you feel like you’ve failed or let someone down. I know you will always give all you have to give. You were always there for me, and I know you will always be there for the patients you see.

  I love you so much,

  Mom

  I open the fridge and reach for another beer. Didn’t I buy a twelve pack? I scratch my head, wondering when I drank all of them. I pull the last bottle from the box, pop the top, and take a long pull from the cold bottle. I close my eyes as I sit back on my couch and let the cold liquid roll down my throat.

  It’s been a long-ass day. Week, really. Today I lost another patient. Bonnie was one of my favorites, too. I’d been seeing her for the last two years, starting when I was still in my residency until now, a year later. She’d been in remission, and then it came back and took her from her husband, three children, and five grandkids.

  I fucking hate these days.

  I don’t know why I pulled out that letter from my mom today. I hadn’t read it since the day I saw my first patient. I haven’t found any new ones since that day, either. It’s damn hard to read them still. She’s been gone for two years now, and every time I think about her, I still miss her just as much.

  My mom had breast cancer. She fought like hell and beat it too. She was in remission for almost five years and then it came back, taking her from us way too soon. She passed away the same month that I saw Bonnie for the first time.

  I decided to specialize in oncology. Why? I have no fucking clue. Maybe because I’m an idiot. Every day, the sights, the patients, all my surroundings remind me of my mom and the fact that I failed her. I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment on a daily basis, living through the worst time in my life over and over again through other people.

  Sure, some days are good. Some patients get through and go on to live healthy lives. Those, in turn, make me feel angry and then guilty for my anger. I’m a fucking doctor; it’s my job to help them, heal them, be there for them from start to finish. I’m a bastard for ever being anything but supportive and happy for those who have good outcomes.

  Seriously. Why did I choose this field? I could have done pediatrics or plastics, looking at cute babies or boobs every day, but no, I chose one of the hardest and saddest specialties. Yeah, Mom, I’m so fucking smart.

  I gulp down the rest of my beer, stumble to the bathroom to take a piss, and then fall face first onto my bed, passing out in seconds.

  Way too early, my alarm beeps, waking me up and making me wince from the sound. My head hurts and feels foggy as I turn it off.

  Another day, another life to save…

  Or fail.

  “Dr. Duncan?” My new nurse calls me for what could have been the hundredth time, pulling me from the daze I’m in. I look up, finally acknowledging her. “Sir, are you alright? You don’t seem like yourself today. Do you want to go home? I can reschedule the last patients you have for the day.”

  I shake my head, partly to answer her and partly in an attempt to clear my mind. “No, it’s fine. I’ll grab a coffee and be fine.”

  “I can get you a cup if you’d like,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. I know that look. She’s new. She hasn’t learned to stay away from me yet. Or maybe she’s heard about my reputation and wants a ride on my cock.

  “Sure. That’d be great. Thanks.”

  She leaves, and I try to rid myself of this mental fog. I can’t be in a funk like this when I see my patients. Least of all today when it’s to go over test results. These are my least favorite days. Nobody warns you that when you work at a hospital, everyone all rotates schedules and shares particular parts of the hospital. I have certain days I’m in my office, certain days I see patients and so forth. My office days are split between getting caught up on paperwork and reports and telling patients what kind of shitty hand they’ve been dealt by the cancer gods.

  After finding out that Bonnie lost her battle yesterday, I got to spend the morning telling one man he has prostate cancer, one young woman she has lung ca
ncer, and another woman she’s healthy. Thank fuck for her or I might have gone home and thrown myself through a window. I kid. But really…

  Now, I’m looking at my afternoon where it appears the already dark clouds are getting darker with another prostate cancer and two breast cancers. Yeah…

  My head falls forward, hitting my desk with a thud. Then I hear someone clear their throat, and looking up, I see it’s my new nurse has returned. Did I get her name this morning? I don’t even remember. How the hell did I make it through school and residency?!

  “Here you are, Dr. Duncan.”

  “Thank you.” I reach for the cup, knowing I’m going to sound like an ass for asking, “Did you tell me your name already today?”

  “I did. It’s Gwen.” She gives me a small smile. “I’m sure these days are rough. It’s alright.”

  “I’m really sorry, Gwen. I promise not to forget your name again.” I take a sip of coffee, hissing when I burn my lip. “Fuck, that’s hot,” I mutter, thinking she’s left the room, but Gwen is still standing in front of me, biting her lip and trying not to laugh.

  “You think that’s funny?” I quirk a brow at her in question.

  “No, sir,” she says, turning for the door with a swing in her hips.

  “Oh, and Gwen?” She looks back at me when she pulls the door open. “The rumors are true. Don’t waste your flirting on me, sweetheart. I’m a sure thing.” I wink before looking back down at the file in front of me, taking another sip of my boiling coffee.

  I see the rest of my patients for the day, finish up my notes and begin making treatment plans for them. Thank God it’s Friday. I glance at my watch seeing that it’s already 6:30 and decide that’s enough. The rest can wait. I’ll finish up my notes this weekend from the comfort of my couch.

  Driving home, I dial Travis, my best friend. “Ollie!”

  “Hey, Pen! How’s my girl doing?” I ask my favorite five-year-old and sister.

  “I got all five stars at school this week and got to get something from the treasure chest,” she tells me, excitement lighting up her voice.

  “That’s awesome! What did you pick out?”

  “I got a poop emoji keychain!” She giggles, and I already feel better.

  “But does it smell like poop?”

  “Gross, Ollie! No!” She laughs harder.

  This little girl is my heart. Penny was three when our mom died. See, my mom married my best friend, Travis. Weird, I know. But they truly were in love and showed us every day that they were together how much they were meant for each other. They only had six years together but, in that time, they got married and had Penny. Penny was the sunshine for all of us, Travis, my other sister Tatum, and myself when Mom died. We all had to keep it together and keep moving for her. Poor kid is being raised by a weird-ass family dynamic, but we all make it work.

  Travis and Penny still live in the same house in Graves, Illinois. It’s about an hour from where I live and work at Highrise Hospital. I try to get there to see them as much as I can, but work makes things crazy sometimes.

  Tatum, who’s eighteen now, lives mostly with our dad because he’s an asshat who wouldn’t let her stay with Travis after Mom died. She’ll graduate this year from Graves High School, and then she can live with whomever she wants, wherever she wants.

  I wish I could have been closer and had her live with me, but that wasn’t an option. I had promised my mom a long time ago that I’d stay in school and not let anything take me from it until I finished. It was hard and it sucked, a lot at times, but I’m glad she made me. It kept me going.

  “Whatever you say, Pen,” I say through a smile. I need her sunshine today. Travis has called her his Lucky Penny from the day she was born, and I think she’s that for me, too. Whenever I have a bad day, she always seems to make it brighter. “Is your dad around?”

  “Yeah, hold on.” I hear her yell, “Daddy” at the top of her lungs, and I know she’ll get yelled at for that later, but it makes me laugh.

  “Penelope Gellar it is not necessary for you to yell like that when I am sitting across the table from you.” I hear Travis reprimand her. “Hey, man.”

  “Why do you have to be such a hard-ass on her?”

  “Because if I’m not she’s going to turn out like you.”

  “You saying my mom was a bad mother?” I ask with mock offense.

  “What do you want?” he grumbles.

  “Geez, someone’s cranky. I want to see what the chances are of you meeting me out tonight. I’ll even drive closer there. I had a shit week and want a night out to drink and get laid. Can you?”

  “Sorry, dude, I can’t. I need more warning than an hour. Tate is cheering at a football game tonight, which means that’s where my other sitter will be, too.”

  “What about Candace?”

  “Ollie, she helps me all the time. I can’t ask her last-minute like that. I’m sorry, but not tonight. LP and I are having an Uno night with popcorn if you want to join our crazy party, though.”

  “Maybe tomorrow. I really need to get laid.”

  I hear him chuckle on the other end. “I’m sure you do. What has it been? Two days?”

  “It’s been six long days since I’ve had anyone play with Stoney,” I whine.

  “Stoney? Really, dude?”

  “You know, hard as stone?”

  “Yeah, I get it. I’m gonna go. Penny just laid down, like, ten draw two cards on me. If you want to come down tomorrow, let me know and I’ll pass it on to Tate. I’m sure she’d want to see you, too.”

  “Alright, man. Tomorrow it is.”

  “Later.”

  “Bye, Ollie!” I hear Penny scream in the background, making me laugh again before I hang up.

  I’m still smiling thinking about Penny when I walk into my loft apartment. It’s a modern-style place, open and airy. My bedroom area sits on a platform that’s raised above the rest of the space. Exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, chrome and granite kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows with a mixture of industrial meets modern lighting and furniture. I bought the place fully furnished. I moved in a year ago and haven’t changed anything besides adding a couple pictures around and my Xbox.

  I decide not to waste the night, with or without Travis, and go out anyway. I shower and dress in dark jeans and light blue V-neck tee. Tatum got it for me for my last birthday, saying it was the softest shirt she’d ever felt and it would bring out my blue eyes. Hopefully more than just my little sister will like the shirt and want to rub it, and me.

  Grabbing my phone and wallet, I head back to my car and drive to one of the hot new bars that just opened up not far from my place. It’s called Foxtrot and is supposed to be awesome with a variety of beers on tap, crazy cocktails, and a menu full of tapas and mini desserts to try. When I walk in, I love it already, they’re not playing music that makes my head hurt. I take a seat at the bar and order an espresso stout to try first.

  I think I might have just found my new favorite watering hole where I can go to get my mind off of everything that is my life.

  Chapter 2

  Bexley

  Holy. Hell. I need a drink after the week I’ve had.

  It started off fine, great even. After six years of school and training and losing hundreds of hours of sleep, I aced the test and am officially a pediatric nurse. This week I started a new job at Highrise Hospital in pediatrics. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the attending here doesn’t like new people or change, and I brought both of those, disrupting her entire life apparently. I was given every case that no one wanted: the pukers, diarrhea drippers, hysterical babies with even more hysterical parents, and my personal favorite, the kid with an unexplained rash that kept spitting on me for fun. Yay, new job…

  To add to what was already a lovely week, I got a flat tire on Tuesday, the wrong coffee on Wednesday that spilled down my front walking into the hospital, Thursday I found out my ex is engaged to a girl who looks twelve (insert eyeroll for me even ca
ring), and then to top it off, my mom called and wants to see me. Barf. My mom only wants to see me when she wants something, usually money.

  Yep. It’s been awesome.

  When I got home, I called my mom and told her I’d go see her next week. She insisted it needed to be before Thursday, so I get to start my week off with a bang again. After that exhausting phone call, I showered and prettied myself up to head out for some fun. It’s time for a night of making myself feel good. I don’t do it often, but after this week, I need it.

  I decide to try the new bar around the corner called Foxtrot. I walk there and pull the door open, feeling like a million bucks. The smell of delicious food makes my stomach growl. I close my eyes and take a step inside and—you have got to be fucking kidding me! I trip over a girl’s purse strap, making me stumble. My heel snaps and my ankle rolls as I’m propelled forward. Goodbye, world! Right when I think my face is going to hit the floor, an arm reaches out and pulls me up and into a hard chest. Amen!

  “You alright?” mystery man with nice pecks who smells like citrus and ginger asks.

  “Hmmm?” My eyes are closed, and I’m enjoying the feel of this strong man and his amazing scent. I don’t want to ruin a rare moment when I’m not talking.

  I feel his chest vibrate in laughter where mine is touching his. “I asked if you’re alright. Guessing by how you’re smelling me, you are either more than fine or you hit your head before I caught you.”