Free Chasing Air by Delaine Roberts Page A

her phone number, which was a good start for building trust.
    Rachel was working as a server at a local restaurant that focused on cute, sexily clad female servers. She had heard men refer to them as “ Breastaraunts” before, the kind where only girls serve, and wearing skimpy costumes for lots of tips. Makenzie wondered if the friend of Rachel’s who was injured had worked there also. She would have to wait until Rachel mentioned her again to ask. She had learned to deal with victims of personal violence while working in the ER, especially victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
    There was so much she wanted to know about Rachel, but her shift was scheduled to start soon. She had to save the questions for another time.
    “Hey I was thinking, do you like to play co-ed softball by any chance?” she asked Rachel. What better way to protect her than introduce her to a team of cops?
    “I haven’t played in several years, but yeah, I do. Why, are you getting up a team?” Her face showed excitement.
    “I was asked to join some guys on Sunday afternoon, but I only know a couple of them. I thought you might want to be my ‘wing-woman’ if you’re not working?” She gave Rachel a twisted grin, encouraging her to say yes. Little did Rachel know, but Makenzie had a hidden agenda for asking her to join them. Makenzie wanted someone there to run interference with Ryler, but she also wanted Rachel to make friends with guys on the force.
    “Sure, I’d love to join. I’ll see if I can switch to the early shift and let you know.”
    They parted ways and Makenzie felt better about going to the game. She didn’t ask permission from Ryler to have another person, but she would sit out if the headcount was an issue.
     
    Makenzie: Is it okay if I invite a girl friend to play ball this weekend
     
    Ryler: u bet. Looking forward to seeing you
     
    Makenzie: thx, her name is Rachel she could use some new friends
     
    Ryler: not a problem
     
    That night, the ER was slow. Slow meant she had some time to work in her office. She picked up the files on her desk and threw out the dying flowers from her admirers. Her heart was split but one thing was clear in her head, a relationship with Ryler Buchanan couldn’t happen.
    Deep in her reports, she was startled by a knock on the door.
    “Come in,” she shouted out.
    Dr. Trynn opened the door. “Hey Makenzie, you have a second to chat about a conference?” His head was through her door, but his body was still in the hallway.
    “Sure, your whole body is welcome to come in,” she laughed at him.
    He came in and sat down on her sofa. “There’s a conference that your predecessor was planning to deliver a lecture at. I just realized it today and need ed to give you a heads up. We have someone to cover your shifts, but you’ll need to prepare your lecture and make plans to attend.”
    “That’s not a problem, Phillip, where’s the conference?” she was taking notes.
    “New York.”
    Makenzie froze. The room started spinning. Anxiety immediately begin to daze her. She tried to hide it, but Dr. Trynn must have seen the color drain from her face.
    “Makenzie, you okay? Are you nervous about giving a lecture? I’d be happy to help you.”
    “No, I’m fine, really. I just remembered my last flight to New York was a brutal one and I had a flashback of being on that flight. You know how it is.” She tried to pass it off and he seemed to buy it.
    “I’ll email you the specifics, I just wanted to apologize in person for dumping this on you so last minute. When I got the reminder email this morning, I felt bad for having forgotten it.” He stood to let himself out. “By the way, regarding the headshot of you, the industry is actually phasing OUT the photos of the hospital staff on websites after that doctor in Ohio lost the patient on the table and was attacked by the patient’s father. Ours will be updated by the end of the month, so I’m told.”
    Mak let out a breath of