“Do you really think he’s got CHD?” Simon asks as we walk down the hall.
“That’s what my gut tells me, but we’ll know for sure within a few hours. How late are you working in the ER?”
“Until shift change at six.”
“Page me and we can grab a beer afterwards. I’d love to catch up.”
“I’ve got to get home to Bridget and the kids, how about you come over this weekend?” he suggests.
“Sure, Saturday around four?”
“That should work, we can grill and drink some beers on the back deck.”
“All right, text me if you want me to bring anything other than the beer with me. Give Bridget my love, and I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Will do, mate. See you then,” he tells me before I take off up the stairs to go check in on my patients on the pediatric floor.
4
MEGAN
“YOU DID GREAT TODAY. Did you have fun?” Lucy asks me as we enter the staff locker room together.
“I did, and thanks for all your help today,” I say as I grab my backpack from my locker and sling it on the back of my chair. I down the rest of the water in my bottle before tucking it into the side pocket.
“I think tomorrow you’re good to work on your own. I’ll be here and can help if you run into any issues, but after observing you today, you’re a natural at this.”
“Thank you, that means the world to me,” I reply honestly. I’m so thankful I was paired with Lucy. She made my first day with patients super easy and I hope that we can become friends.
I close my locker, spin my chair around, and start to roll down the aisle to leave the staff lounge. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I call out to her.
“Hello again,” a deep voice, belonging to Drew, greets me from around the corner as I reach the end of the aisle.
“Hi!” I squeak out in surprise.
“Sorry to scare you. How was your day?” he asks, his question sincere.
“It was great. Tiring, but great!” I tell him. “I love what I do. I love getting to be a small bright spot in a kid’s day. Especially when their days can be filled with so much pain and not fun moments. And my training partner was amazing, as well,” I tell him.
“I understand completely.” He asks, “Who did they pair you with?”
“Lucy,” I tell him, just as she approaches the two of us.
“Drew, be nice to this one. She’s a hell of a CLS,” Lucy says.
“I’m always nice.” He playfully scowls at her. I move my chair slightly so that I can more easily see the two of them. There is an easiness between them, and I can’t put my finger on if it’s just co-worker ease or something else.
“Be careful around this one,” Lucy tells me. “He likes to prank people.”
“Don’t be giving away all my secrets now,” he scoffs.
“Start acting your age and not that of your patients,” she volleys back at him.
“Never, where’s the fun in that?” he asks.
“Anyways, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Lucy says to me. “I’ll see you at Grandma’s this weekend,” she calls out to Drew before leaving the two of us.
“So, I take it you’re related?” I ask him, feeling a sense of relief that the familiarity between them isn’t due to a relationship, but because they’re related somehow.
“Yep, she’s my cousin. We have a sibling-like relationship, at times, if you didn’t figure that out already from our banter.”
“She’s really nice! I really enjoyed working with her today,” I tell him again.
“She’s the best,” he agrees with me. “So, are you new to the area, or just the hospital?” he asks, taking a seat on the bench that runs between the bays of lockers. I always find myself having to look up at people, as my chair only rises up so far, so for someone to bring themselves to my level puts us on a more even level, and makes things a little more comfortable for me.
“Both. I moved here from Nebraska for the job. The hospital had a recruiter at one of the end of school year job fairs that I attended. I was interviewed in person at that event and then had a final one over Skype.”
“Ah, nice. Let me guess, you’re a Husker, then?” he asks, referring to my alma mater.
“How’d you guess?” I ask, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
“Lucky one, I guess,” he replies, a smile filling his own lips. “That, and your water bottle there has the logo.” He points to the pocket on the side of my chair. “Did you get a chance to see Mack today?” he asks, changing the subject.
“I did. She was my last patient of the day. Her vitals had finally stabilized. We headed down to the playroom and she had fun for about a half hour before feeling like she needed to go back to bed.”
“Good. I’m hoping we’ll have a new heart for her within the next couple of weeks. Poor kid can’t catch a break.”
“I gathered that from her chart. I’ll make sure to stop in and see her daily,” I tell him.
“I’m sure she’d like that.”
“Well, it was nice to meet you, and I’m sure we’ll see each other again. Sorry again about earlier.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. It was completely my fault. Teaches me to text and walk, not paying attention to where I’m going.”
“Have a nice night, Drew,” I say before heading for the door.
“Night, Megan,” he calls out over his shoulder.
I look back over my shoulder just as he pulls his scrub top off in that totally sexy one-handed move that guys do, and about swallow my own tongue. The man is covered in muscles. Ones that I wouldn’t mind tracing with my tongue. Where the hell did that thought come from? Oh yes, my completely sex-deprived mind.
I quickly look away, not wanting him to think I’m sitting here gawking at him while he changes in front of his locker. I just landed this job, I don’t need to lose it because I’m ogling the hot doctors.
I STOP at the community mailbox that’s located in the foyer of my apartment complex, grabbing the few items that are in my box. Mostly junk flyers, so far. I haven’t been here long enough for anyone to be mailing me anything, other than bills from setting up utilities and such for my apartment. Nothing makes you feel like a real adult like having to set up electric and cable. Once in my second-floor apartment, I ditch my chair, opting to stand in front of my stove to cook tonight. While my chair gives me the freedom to move about freely and easily, I still have the ability to be out of it at times. Standing to cook is one of those things I try to do daily. It gives my muscles a chance to stretch and gives my body a much-needed change of position after a long day at work.
Once my stir fry is finished, I plate it and slide it across the island, where I’ve been sitting to eat my meals since I moved in. I haven’t taken the time to get a table yet for my dining room. I don’t really need one with just me. I was able to find a couple bar stools that are easy enough for me to sit in, and a plus is they tuck in nicely to the counter when I’m not using them so they’re out of the way of my chair.
I slowly make my way from in front of the stove, around the island with the aid of a walker, and slide into one of the stools. I grab the remote that’s on the counter, flipping the TV on that’s in the living room. My apartment is very open, which is great for someone in a chair. It also makes it nice, as I can practically see my TV from everywhere except my bed and bathroom. I flip through the guide and settle on a new episode of The Resident. I love watching medical shows. Working in a hospital has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and now I’m living said dream.
I down my dinner, realizing just how hungry I was after a long day at work. I push my plate across the counter. I slide off the stool and, grabbing my walker, I make my way back around the island and take a seat back in my chair. My body is tired from work, and the little bit of time I just spent out of the chair. I quickly clean up from dinner before changing into some lounge pants and a t-shirt. I toss my shirt toward the hamper in the corn
er, my bra quickly following it. I let out a deep breath as my body relaxes with that contraption off, finally.
With my PJ’s on, I head back out to the living room and stop at the counter to grab the remote and a glass of lemonade from the fridge before making my way over to the couch. I transition myself from my chair to the couch, stretching out as I relax into the softness of my couch and un-pause my show. Just as it’s ending, my phone starts to ring.
“Hey, Mom,” I greet as soon as I answer the call.
“How are things going?” she asks.
“Amazing. Today was my first day with patients. I was paired with another CLS, Lucy, who was wonderful. She showed me around and observed, said that she thought I was ready to do things on my own starting tomorrow.”
“That’s great, Megan. We’re so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom. How was the drive back?” I ask. My parents drove out to Rhode Island with me to help me move here, and they took the last couple of days to drive back, stopping along the way to see the sights.
“It was good. I’m glad to be home, though. Sleeping in our bed last night felt like heaven,” she says on a laugh.
“I bet.”
“Did you get to meet any other staff members?” she asks.
“I met a couple of the nurses that work on the floor, one of the doctors, who also happened to be Lucy’s cousin.”
“That’s good. And you’re still liking the apartment?”
“I love it, Mom. I think it was a good choice.”
“Being so close to the hospital is convenient, but don’t the ambulances bother you at night when you’re trying to sleep?”
“Not really, I hear them occasionally, but I think once they’re close by, they turn the sirens off unless there’s traffic.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
We fall into our normal conversation topics once she’s satisfied that I’m thriving at my new job and okay on my own. She tells me all about the places they stopped on the drive home and promises to call me this weekend to see how my first full week seeing patients goes.
5
DREW
“HEY, MATE,” Simon greets me as he opens the door to his house.
“Simon,” I greet as I step past him.
“I was going to ask, whatever came of that young boy the other day in the ER?”
“He had CHD, as suspected. Started him on some medicine and will follow up in a few weeks. I don’t think that he’ll require surgery or anything. It was a pretty mild case.”
“Good to hear,” he says, leading me into the house.
“Hello, Drew,” Bridget, Simon’s fiancée greets me when we enter the kitchen. She’s got one of their twin girls in her arms.
“Bridget, how are you?” I ask, holding my arms out for her to pass the baby to me. She easily comes to me and I cradle her to my chest. I’ve always loved working with kids. Being around my friends with kids always makes me realize just what I’m missing in life. I’d always assumed I’d have a wife and kids of my own by now, but things don’t always go the way we think they will.
“Doing well, just keeping up with the girls. How are you?” She asks.
“I’m great. How’s this guy treating you?” I ask her, pointing to Simon, who I know worships the fucking ground Bridget walks on.
“He’s good,” she says, a small smile cresting her lips. “When he’s not stressing over plugs being covered and gates being secured at the tops and bottoms of the stairs,” she says, a full laugh escaping her now.
“Bloody hell,” Simon curses under his breath. “So, I should just let them tumble down the stairs or electrocute themselves when they put a finger or a toy in a socket?” he gripes.
“No, I’m thankful you’re taking care of those things, dear,” Bridget tells him. “You just don’t have to stress so much about all of it.”
“It’s my job to stress over all of you, luv,” he says before pulling her into him, then drops his lips onto hers in a quick kiss. I look away, giving them a moment of privacy.
“Where’s the other one?” I ask, not at all sure which twin I have in my arms.
“Eleanor is napping still,” Simon says.
“Speaking of Eleanor, I’m going to go wake her up so that she doesn’t fight bedtime again tonight,” Bridget says.
“Shall we head to the deck?” Simon suggests. He grabs two of the beers from the pack I brought and pops the tops off before leading the way outside.
I take a seat on one of their Adirondack chairs and accept the beer Simon hands to me.
“Pop?” Bridget’s son Brendan pops his head out of the sliding glass door, calling after Simon.
“What’s up?”
“Can Kenny come over and play?” Brendan asks Simon.
“That’s fine with me, as long as your mother agrees,” Simon tells him.
“Thanks, Pop,” Brendan says, a huge smile on his face.
“So, how’s life treating you?” Simon asks.
“Eh, same ole same ole. My parents and grandmother keep hounding me about settling down and starting a family.”
“I can sympathize with that, but I’m here to tell you that it isn’t as bad as you might think,” he says, as he looks lovingly at his daughter, who’s still lying in my arms. She’s leaning into me, her back against my chest.
“I never thought it would be. I just haven’t found someone I’m willing to settle down with. Life’s been a little crazy the last ten years, with med school followed by residency. Just this last year have I finally felt like things are calming down and I can take a breath again. I’m actually even thinking of taking a vacation. Maybe go relax on a beach somewhere or fly down to South America and hike my way around for a few weeks.”
“Find yourself a señorita to have a fling with for a couple weeks, you never know, maybe you’ll find the one and come home married,” he jokes.
“No spur of the moment marriages for me. My parents would kill me. I’d probably be written out of the will by my grandmother,” I deadpan.
“Why are you being written out of the will?” Bridget asks as she steps out onto the deck with a sleepy Eleanor in her arms.
“Come see Pop,” Simon says, holding his arms out to the baby. Bridget transfers her to him seamlessly, and she curls right up on his chest, snuggling in until her little face is pressed into the crook of his neck.
“I was telling Simon how I might actually go on vacation and he suggested I find myself a señorita to enjoy my time with, even suggested I come back married, and I told him that would get me written out of the will.”
“Hmmm…” she hums her agreement. “If it’s the right person, it might be worth it,” she says, winking at me.
“Maybe,” I say to appease her. I can’t see meeting someone and falling hard and fast. I’ve never been one to believe in love at first sight. I’m more of a believer in marrying your best friend than the person you just met at a random bar. Not that I’ve had the time to go to a bar and meet anyone in the past few years. Hell, I don’t even know the last time I did do that. And the one woman who I thought I’d one day marry and start a family with wasn’t who I thought she was, after all.
“How’s staying at home with the girls going?” I ask her, changing the subject from my lack of love life.
“I love it! Well, most days, at least,” she says, laughing. “I’ve only run out of the house as soon as Simon got home a couple of times.”
“We miss you at the hospital,” I tell her.
“I’m sure you do,” she says with a laugh.
“Good nurses are hard to come by, any plans to return?”
“That we are,” she muses. “Not anytime soon. Maybe once the girls are in school, but that’s a ways off and nothing I’m even thinking about right now. Did I hear correctly, they filled the open CLS position?”
“Yes, and I made a total ass of myself when I met her for the first time the other day,” I tell her, shaking my head and laughing at the memory of tripping o
ver Megan’s wheelchair and landing in her lap. I still can’t believe I was so oblivious to my surroundings.
“Do tell,” she prods me, a smirk forming along her face.
“I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, texting and walking are my downfall, and I tripped right over her wheelchair, falling into her lap. Like I said, made a complete ass of myself.”
“Oh shit,” Simon says. “You didn’t hurt the poor girl, did you?”
“Nope, only thing hurting is my ego,” I say, laughing at myself.
“Well, that’s good, at least,” Bridget says, just as Elizabeth starts to squirm and cry in my arms. “Come here, baby girl,” she says, clapping her hands and holding them out toward her daughter. She sweeps Elizabeth into her arms, instantly calming her down. “I’m going to go grab them a snack, do either of you need anything?” she offers.
“We’re good,” Simon tells her.
The rest of the evening goes by pretty much the same way. Kids playing, we eventually grill, and all enjoy the meal, and when it’s time for the kids to head to bed, I say my goodbyes and head for home.
“HELLO, GRANDMOTHER,” I greet my very prim and proper grandmother as I enter the kitchen of her huge estate she now lives in alone, since my grandfather passed away. She’s a tiny thing, hardly comes to my sternum these days. The quintessential ninety-two-year-old woman with her white hair curled back perfectly and her face on, as she likes to say. Her spunkiness reminds me of Betty White. The way she says whatever’s on her mind, even if it is brass or slightly offensive.
“Andrew,” she says, one of the few people that insist on calling me by my full name, and also one of the only people who gets away with it.
“How are you today?” I ask, opening my arms for a hug that she willingly accepts. My arms engulf her petite stature as hers wrap around my torso. I can feel each of her breaths as my hands rest against her back, and I can’t help but assess her breathing as I do so. She battled a case of pneumonia a few months ago that really scared all of us.
“Better now that you’re here,” she says, patting my cheek with her small hand as she looks up at me and pulls from our embrace.
Cocky Doc: A Hero Club Novel Page 2