Chapter Nine
By the time Michael reached the front door, he'd worked himself into a respectable lather of confusion, pain and - yes - anger. Steve saw the MG pull up and his anger quickly rivaled the young doctor's. Jaime'd been called away before she'd had the chance to tell Steve what was on her mind, but it was obvious that Michael had said or done something that had deeply upset her.
"What do you want now?" Steve demanded, opening the door before Michael could knock.
"You sure move fast," Michael shot back. "Where's Jaime?"
"I asked you a question," Steve said, blocking the doorway. "What do you want?"
"I need to see Jaime."
"Well, you can't - not right now."
"The hell I can't." Michael leaned as far into the entryway as Steve's blocking would allow. "Jaime?" he called into the house. "Jaime!"
"Don't waste your breath; she's not here."
"Her car is. I'm not stupid, Austin. She's only two days out of the hospital. Don't you think it's a little too soon...?"
Steve suddenly realized what Michael was thinking. "You are way off base. Jaime is busy, and -"
"I'll just bet she is!"
"And I don't have the time or the patience for this."
"Good - because I don't need to discuss this - or anything else - with you. Tell Jaime to put some clothes on and -"
"You are way outta line!"
"Really? Seems like you're the one who crossed the line - spending the night with my fiancee'!" Michael sputtered.
"Fiancee'?" Steve scowled. "She sure wasn't acting newly engaged when she called me last night..."
"Jaime called you?"
"That's right. And she was crying her eyes out over something you did!"
"And that gave you the right to take advantage of a vulnerable woman?" Michael seethed. "One you supposedly loved?"
"I still love her, you toothpick!"
Before either man blinked, Michael's fist swung back into the air - and Steve caught it calmly, at the last instant before it made contact with his face. With his left hand, Steve pulled the doctor's offending arm behind his back and with his right he lifted Michael into the air by his collar and carried him (his feet dangling six inches off the ground) to his car. Steve opened the door and unceremoniously deposited his rival inside.
"You are damn lucky I didn't just send you into bionic orbit," Steve told him evenly. "Now get outta here before I change my mind. Oh...I'll make sure to give Jaime your regards."
Steve turned and walked swiftly back into the house. He didn't even mind when he saw the kitten up on the coffee table, washing its paws after disposing of the rest of Steve's breakfast. He sank back into the chair, pulling the kitten onto his lap, to enjoy a Michael-free day and to begin making plans for the evening.
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