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“Austin, what are you doing here?” I ask, still in his embrace.
He pulls away, only managing a smile. “Day from hell, to put it bluntly.”
I stare at his face, admiring how much he’s matured since the last time I saw him, which would’ve been two years ago at the Hamptons for Rocky’s birthday. The night it all fell apart for him. We touched base after that out of concern since he was part of our family, but we just drifted apart without the common person holding us together anymore.
“It sounds like you need Alistair’s strongest stuff.” I motion for Alistair to serve us, requesting two Macallan’s neat. “Alistair can solve all the world’s problems tonight, I’m sure of it.”
Alistair grins while serving us. “You’re going to break some hearts, Miss Ava.”
“First-name basis.” Austin chuckles beside me. “How drunk are you?”
“Drunk enough that I’ve forgotten all about what happened before I walked in here. But sober enough to remember how much fun we used to have together.” I clutch onto my stomach as laughter escapes me. “Do you remember when we went camping, and you woke up with a frog on your head?”
Austin shakes his head, unable to hide his amusement. “That was the first and last time I attempted camping. Some memory, huh?”
Our laughs subside, and the giant elephant takes a seat between us. I wasn’t sure if I should mention it, opting to order more drinks. Austin drinks two in a row, and while he was never one to shy away from a drink, he doesn’t appear to be himself, and something is troubling him.
“Are you okay?” I ask, watching him stealthily.
“Not really.” His gaze falls onto the glass in front of him as his finger traces the rim. The moment passes as I wait patiently for him to elaborate, but he continues to remain quiet. Suddenly, his eyes are drawn to the bandage wrapped around my wrist. “What happened to you?”
I bow my head. “Long story.”
“Did you bandage this yourself?” He questions while touching my wrist softly.
“Can you tell?”
Austin draws his eyebrows together, turning himself inward to better examine my wrist. I purse my lips, annoyed he pointed it out—a reminder of tonight’s misfortunes.
“Please let me look at it?” He pauses, narrowing his eyes while glancing at my frustrated stare. “Don’t give me that look, Ava. I’m a first-year resident, and I work in the ER. I’ve seen way worse than this.”
“Fine,” I mumble, holding my arm out.
Austin presses softly, asking me if I can move my fingers and where it hurts. I answer him accordingly, ignoring the pain where he presses.
“It looks like it may just be a sprain. That’s the good news. But of course, you should get it looked at as soon as possible. An x-ray for starters.”
“Okay, Dr. Carter,” I joke, my gaze focusing on the beard against his sharp jaw. “It’s good to see you again. It’s been a while.”
Austin wraps my wrist back up, much better than I did. “Aside from this, how have you been?”
“Good, bad, I don’t know. Ask me when I’m sober of expensive whisky.”
He chuckles softly. “And Millie, how is she?”
“Um, good,” is all I say.
“It’s okay,” Austin assures me. “I have moved on. The joy of studying medicine means no time to sit around and dwell on the past.”
“I’m glad to hear. I
know it wasn’t ideal to end that way.”
“That’s life, Ava. The good, the bad, and the ugly. There is way worse out there. I’ll count myself fortunate to have known your family.”
Tilting my head, I wonder who the hell this guy is. This is unlike the Austin I remember. Granted, the last time I saw him, he punched Will in the mouth. Aside from his looks maturing, maybe he has too.
“You’ve changed,” I tell him, honestly.
