Chapter 2
Chapter Two
SUTTON
“ T hat’s it, let it out.”
“But what if it gets stuck?”
“It won’t. I promise.”
The kid, who’s no older than five, lurches over the side of the bed and pukes again. The retching noise doesn’t even faze me at this point.
Even if it splatters onto my scrubs.
His mother looks horrified. “I am so sorry.”
I smile back at her. “It’s okay. I have a six-year-old at home. Not the worst thing that’s happened to me.”
“I feel silly even bringing him in. It’s just, he won’t stop puking.” She’s twisting her hands in her lap, sitting in the chair right next to her son.
“You did the right thing. We’ll make sure he’s as good as new in no time.”
“My tummy feels empty now,” he moans.
“That’s good.”
Grabbing the IV bag that someone else failed to get going, I start a line with ease—something I’ve perfected over the years working in the ER. No child wants to be poked and prodded unnecessarily when they already are in the hospital.
“The doctor should be in soon. If you need anything, press the call button and I’ll be back to check on him.”
“Thank you.”
I’m out the door, making my rounds on my patients. Thankfully, the worst of it today has been an upset stomach and a broken leg from jumping out of a treehouse. There’s nothing worse than when kids come in banged up and broken from the people meant to protect them.
Those are the days I hate my job.
Today is not one of those days. All that stands between me and getting off is a little over a half hour. Being on my feet for twelve hours is never easy. It’s even harder when all I want is to be at home with my baby girl.
“Linda, can you cover for me? I need to get cleaned up.”
“Sure thing, Sutton.” Our charge nurse smiles at me from where she’s helping one of our newest nursing students.
“Thanks.”
After heading for the break room, I drop onto the couch, needing a minute to myself. I throw my arm over my eyes, blocking out the harsh overhead lights.
“Eww, you smell.”
I peek one eye open, staring at my best friend, Jameson.
“You smell.”
His lips quirk up. “Cute. It’s like you work with kids or something.”
“I got puked on. Leave me alone.”
“And you haven’t changed?” He screws up his perfectly handsome face in disgust.
“I’m taking a quick break.”
Jameson pulls up my legs and plops down next to me. “I was making sure I have everything I need before I leave.”
“Aren’t we both off here soon?”
“Yes…”
“But?” This time I sit up, staring at him. His dark hair is perfectly styled. With more gel in it than I could possibly fathom, I know it means one thing. “You have a date? With who? Why am I just now hearing about this?”
Jameson and I started working in the emergency department at the same time eight years ago. Many people have come and gone since then, but it’s always been the two of us. He’s my closest confidant. My rock when my life was falling apart.
I have just as much invested in his dating life as he does after seeing the carousel of men treat him like crap.
“He only just confirmed.”
“And when are you meeting him?” I ask, skeptical.
“In an hour.”
“He sounds like a keeper.” My voice is laced with sarcasm.
Linda pops her head in. “We have a broken arm in six. Can one of you take it?”
“Nose goes!” we both shout at the same time.
“Don’t care!” Linda sings on her way out. “Someone get your ass in there and take care of it.”
“I have to get Lydia from daycare.”
“And I have to meet my future hubby.”
“Or at least your hookup for tonight.”
“Hey! I resent that.”
I sigh, wiping my hair back from my face. “You really can’t? I have to pick up Lydia in an hour.”
A broken arm means ortho. Who take their sweet-ass time getting down to the ER.
“Please? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” Jameson pleads. “He’s taking me to that new sushi restaurant. The one that’s supposed to be an orgasmic experience.”
“Ugh. That makes me hate you even more.”
Because the two of us have been gushing about going there.
“Pretty please?” He clasps his hands under his chiseled jaw. “He could be the one.”
“Wasn’t the last guy supposed to be the one? ”
“No. But this guy? He really is.” He taps on his phone and then shows me his picture.
Big, deep brown eyes. Dirty-blond hair. A smile that is perfectly straight and white. “He’s a looker.”
“See? I have to meet him, otherwise I’ll miss my shot at forever.”
“Ugh. Are you sure you want to use the forever card today?”
Jameson twists his face up, thinking about it. If I didn’t love him so much, I’d say no. But this is how we decided to start gauging our dates. Not that I’ve had that many in the last few years since my ex left.
But with Jameson on all the dating apps—something he loves to point out that I’m severely lacking in—this is the bar I set.
If it’s not forever, I wouldn’t swap shifts with him. And after too many forever cards, he gets one per year.
“Yes.”
“Alright, fine.” I grab his phone again, looking at the guy’s profile. “His name is Gunnar? What kind of name is that?”
“A sexy-as-fuck one.” Jameson fans himself before pulling off his cartoon-character scrub top. “This is why you’re still single, Sutton.”
“Because I’m judging his name?”
“Yes.” He pulls a white T-shirt on over his head, burying his soft stomach. “Maybe if you opened yourself up more, you’d find someone too.”
I laugh at him. “Okay, J. I’ll take that under advisement.”
“I know you won’t, but you’re lucky I still love you anyway.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I grab a clean scrub shirt and change out from the dirty one before pushing open the break room door. “Make sure to invite me to the wedding.”
“Maybe it’ll be a double wedding because your own forever will be waiting outside for you.” He blows air kisses at me.
“In the children’s ER? Fat chance of that happening. Bye, J.” I wave at him before heading back out onto the floor.
Machines beep as gurneys are pushed from one room to the next. Kids are crying as family members try to calm them down.
Just another day in the life of an ER nurse at a children’s hospital. Grabbing the chart I need, I make my way to bed six.
Pulling the curtain back, I scan the chart for my next patient’s name. “Hi Mr. Hollins, and…Troy.”
The dad sitting there stares at me. And I am met with the most glorious pair of brown eyes I’ve ever laid eyes on.