Heartbreak Warfare

By Cheyenne Barnett

Peyton Grey is a curvy, thoughtful psychiatrist from the outskirts of Kentucky. She has everything she needs to create the life she's always dreamed of. Well, except when it comes to love. She's thirty three years old and has been engaged once before to a business partner. When she found out he was cheating on her, she broke it off and hasn't dated anyone since. She was beginning to give up on her love life completely until she met Jay Parker, a tall, handsome soldier with a lot of problems. Jay takes an instant disliking to Peyton when he is sentenced to one hundred hours of psychiatric sessions, due to having post traumatic stress, and she becomes his psychiatrist. However, when Jay finally opens up and talks to Peyton, he begins to notice that she is actually rather caring at heart. And he kind of likes that about her. But will Peyton realize that the stubborn, violent Jay may be the answer to all her prayers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheyenne Barnett
• Release date: Oct 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311650665

Cheyenne Barnett

Cheyenne began writing at an early age. When she was just 11 years old, she began posting fan fictions online but it wasn't until she was 17 that she finally ventured out and started her very first fiction novel called, "What Hurts The Most." She published the army romance novel on Wattpad and it became an instant hit with army wives everywhere. Now, 20, Cheyenne has decided to begin the long road to publishing. With college in the midst, it is surely to be stressful but she is confident and well on her way.

Book preview

Doctor Grey, you have a new patient at three, Lisa states as I walk by her desk. It had been three years since I finished college and became a psychiatrist and yet I still hadn’t gotten used to being called Doctor.

I was an old-fashioned, country girl and I liked my first name, Peyton, much better than Doctor Grey. It kind of made me feel like an old lady but it didn’t matter how many times I told Lisa, she always called me Doctor Grey. Eventually, I just gave up and decided to save my breath.

If I was truly the boss, I would probably make it a rule, but technically, this wasn’t my office. I was just a partner and I was fine with that. Running my own office seemed a little too stressful for me and I’d much rather stress out my ex-fiancé than myself.

And yes, you heard me correctly. The guy that actually owns the place is my ex, Doctor Matthew Meadows. He’s also a psychiatrist, whom I met in college. He was a year ahead of me and when I graduated, he offered me a position here.

Of course, I took it. I mean I was in college for twelve years, I was eager to begin working and also to pay off my school loans. Anyway, after being here for a month, Matthew asked me out and I accepted.

We had been dating a year when he popped the question and of course, I said yes. After all, I had my dream job, so why couldn’t I have my dream husband? I was thirty years old at that time and I really wanted to get married and have kids. Problem was, I chose the wrong guy.

We had only been engaged for two months when I caught him in bed with one of our nurses. I broke it off immediately and threw the ring at his face, but I’m sure anyone would do that, right?

Most of you are probably wondering why in the world I still work with him, but the truth is, this is a nice place to work. You couldn’t find any other place better than this and even though I hated him, he treated me pretty well, which I guess he had to since I was one of the busiest physicians in the office, and you know what that means…

I made him more money.

But I didn’t mind that much, I certainly got my share and my bank account showed it. I rarely ever spent any of my money, simply because it was only me. I had only bought myself two big things since getting the job; a black 2013 Mustang GT and a nice house in the country. Everything else went toward paying off my school loans and once they were paid off, I didn’t really have anything else to pay on.

I didn’t have any family living with me, so my funds went into the bank and pretty much sat there. It was nice knowing I had money in case of an emergency, but I didn’t let it go to my head. I wasn’t one of those stuck up Doctors with a brand new Mercedes Benz and a huge mansion; that just wasn’t me. Sure a Mustang was a nice car, but most middle-class families could afford one, it wasn’t a high-class thing.

I kind of think that’s what made me and Matthew so different. He was like that, he had a new Mercedes every couple of months and had all kinds of old muscle cars in his garage collecting dust. I just never saw the point in that. He also kind of flaunted his money, something I never did…

I walk down the long corridor and go into my office. It felt like home, which is why I liked it. I didn’t have those harsh fluorescent lights like most offices had, I only had a few lamps placed around the room. The room was painted tan with brown leather furniture. It reminded me of a rustic home office, or at least that’s what my patients always said.

I closed the door behind me and went over to my desk. I had a new folder laying in the center. Must be my new patient. With a slight oomph, I sat down in my chair and took a look at the file…

Jay Parker

31 years old

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Adoptive parents died when he was twenty. Afterward, he enlisted in the military. He’s had two, four-year terms in Iran and liked one more year of finishing his third. A very devastating explosion occurred at his base camp two months ago. Shortly after, he went to military prison for disobeying a direct order.

Now, he’s being sentenced to one hundred hours of psychiatric sessions per the military judge. He will receive three sessions a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for as long as you see fit.

In order to complete the hours listed above, you must complete a handwritten letter to the judge, stating Mr. Parker’s current psychiatric state. The letter must be signed and sealed within a witness’ sight and delivered directly by you to the judge.

Dang, what did this guy do?

This was one of the parts I enjoyed about my job. In a way, I was kind of like a detective. I only had so much information to go on and there was always a mystery to solve. In this case, what caused his parents death? Is that what made him go into the army? What was so significant about the explosion that made him develop PTSD? Or was it even the explosion that caused it?

So many questions to be answered, so little time.

Usually, I was pretty good at judging character. Even though I hadn’t met Jay yet, I had a feeling he was going to be a difficult one. Normally, when I got a PTSD patient and they happened to be from the army, it was always an interesting case. Men don’t like opening up about their feelings and that was going to be even harder when the guy was a soldier.

I definitely had my work cut out for me that was for sure. But, that’s why I liked my job. You just never know what’s going to walk through that door.

I checked the time and noticed that it was almost three. Jay should be arriving any minute. I got up and opened my shades, letting the sunlight in. I placed a stress ball in the corner of my desk as well as a bottle of water.

After my office was neat and tidy, I sat back down and waited patiently.

Soon, there was a knock at my door and Lisa stepped inside. Your new patient is here. Are you ready for him? She asks.

I nod. Yes, please send him in.

She leaves my door open and goes down the hallway. She was only gone a minute before she returned with a tall, muscular young man. I glanced down at my file to see that he was thirty-one years old. I was kind of surprised since he looked like he’d be in his mid-twenties.

She ushers him in and shuts the door. I stand and smile politely. You must be Jay Parker. I’m Doctor Grey, but you can call me Peyton. I extend my hand but he seems a little shy. I sigh and sit back down in my chair. Please, have a seat where ever you’d like.

He sits in a chair near the side of my desk. Peyton, huh? He asks.

I nod. Yes, I prefer to be called by my first name.

He cocks an eyebrow. "Really? Most Doctor’s like to be addressed that way."

Yes, most do, but not me. I prefer my patients to be friends. So, I like to be addressed in that way. Shall we get started?

He sighs. If we must.

I take it you’re not too excited to be here?

He grins and rolls his eyes. "I find it hard to believe that anyone would want to be here, Peyton. I, for one, don’t like discussing my life with people I don’t know."

Oh, well, it seems as if the judge picked the right psychiatrist. I don’t hound you, Jay. You tell me what you want to tell me and nothing more. But I agree with you, I like to know people as well. So, since this is our first session, you can ask the questions.

I seemed to have really caught him off guard. He repositioned himself in the chair and watched me with those stunning brown eyes. Finally, he spoke. Really? I can ask you anything I want?

Yes, anything that will help you get to know me better.

He thought a moment before asking, Okay, so I know it’s quite rude to ask a woman their age, and you don’t have to tell me, but I’m thirty-one, are you close to my age?

I smiled, realizing he does have some manners. I don’t mind, I’m thirty-three, actually. I’ve worked here for three years.

Just three years?

Well, I had twelve years of college before that.

He seemed surprised. Twelve?

Of course, you didn’t think being a psychiatrist was an easy job, did you?

Well, I wasn’t expecting that long… Uh, are you married?

No.

He goes quiet. Okay, so I’m not good at asking questions. This would be a whole lot easier if you just told me some things about yourself.

Apparently, he gives up easily. Fine. I’m thirty-three years old, I’m not married, and I have no children. I’m originally from here. I went to the University of Kentucky for twelve years. I hate it when people call me Doctor. I love my first name. I love Starbuck’s, it’s like my home away from home. And I could eat my weight in peanut butter every day.

Starbucks and peanut butter seemed to have caught his attention. That it?

Well, is there anything else you’d like to know?

He shrugs, Guess not.

Okay, then. I suppose that does it for today.

He glares at me. Seriously? Not even ten minutes?

The judge left it up to me how long each session lasts. I told you that I will not push you into talking to me. We just met.

You aren’t going to ask me anything? He asks.

I shake my head. No, not unless you want me to.

When he first came in, he was a little tense, then he kind of calmed down, and now we’re back to tense. Look, you may be the best psychiatrist around, but that doesn’t make me want to be here. I have no choice but to go through this, otherwise, I get put into military prison for a year. So, I’d rather we just get this over with.

That’s your decision… Okay, I look down at his file. Let’s start at the very beginning. Tell me about your parents. I ask bluntly. I could tell he wasn’t expecting it. He just looked at me like he didn’t hear me. I waited for him to answer, but he never did. Look, Jay, you wanted to move along and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

His expression softened momentarily, but then I saw a flash of anger in his eyes. You know what, He starts, standing up and walking toward the door. I don’t need this. It’s none of your business what happened to me or my parents. I think I’d rather go back to military prison. At least people would leave me alone! He kicks the door in frustration and leaves the room.

I knew better than to go after him. He was angry, so let him be angry. I couldn’t make him talk to me if he didn’t want to. But who knows, maybe he’d come back Wednesday.

Chapter Two

Tuesday was a blur. I had so many appointments, I could barely keep up. I even had to reschedule a few for a different day. From bipolar patients to schizophrenia, I thought I was going to lose my mind.

All my patients loved to talk to me and I loved talking to them as well, but sometimes they went over the time limit for their appointment and no matter how many times I tried to wrap it up, they always started talking about something else.

So, on my way out of the office, I stopped to speak with Lisa. Is something wrong, Doctor Grey? Every time she addressed me that way, I just wanted to scream.

Yes, Lisa. From now on, I would like no more than ten appointments a day. That means one appointment per hour. No more, not unless it’s an emergency referral from a Doctor, okay?

I believe she was surprised at how stern I was, but I was serious. I could not handle that many patients, I’d probably seen at least twenty-five people today and I could not be at my best with that much stress. Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure it never happens again.

I nod. Good, thank you, Lisa. Have a nice night. She smiles politely as I leave the office. When I step out into the cool, fall air, I shudder. Kentucky’s weather can sure fool you. It was just the end of August and already, the leaves had turned on the trees and it was freezing out here! I’m telling you, I think Mother Nature needs to see me, looks like she needs to get rid of her split personality… Gez.

As I walk toward my car, I search for my keys in my purse. Why must I always carry a huge purse? After taking nearly everything out, I find them near the bottom. I press the unlock button on my remote and walk toward my Mustang.

Mustang? Not what I was expecting. I turn quickly on my heel to find none other than Jay Parker standing in front of me.

Mr. Parker? What are you doing back here? I ask, putting a hand on my hip.

I came to talk to you. Now, most people would have been scared, but for some reason, I wasn’t. Jay wasn’t a creepy stalker, or at least, not that I knew of. Ever since I left yesterday, I have been waiting to be arrested for not holding up my end of the deal. Judges hate that, you know… But, yet I’m here… Why didn’t you call me in?

I sigh. Well, technically we had our session. It was over before you left.

But I said that-

I cut him off. I know what you said, but I also know that you didn’t mean it. I’m in this career because I love it. I’m here to help people and I plan on helping you if you let me.

He chuckles. You really think you can help me?

I nod. "No, I know I can. But only if you let me."

His face goes serious. "You