9. Chapter 8
Scottie
I tilt my head as I look at the large monitor on the wall, an X-ray version of Bradley's knee in view, my eyes on where Dr. Thomas said he needs a graft done.
“It does look torn,” I murmur before I lean over the computer, press a few buttons, causing the screen to zoom in on the nerve, and I enhance the image, then concentrate on it again despite the several eyes on my back.
Since we came up to the third floor, where all head CTs, MRIs, and scans are done, two more brothers have shown up. Both apparently having snuck out from their women, who are extremely protective of Bradley, or so they said.
One is called Shadow and apparently Bradley’s father, the other Anchor.
Someone called Trigger is on guard duty to stop the women from storming the hospital, or that is what Shadow said. After having a private word with his son, the older man hasn’t taken his eyes off me, which is a little unnerving and don’t get me started on his son.
The pull I had is still there. Actually, it’s tripled since I saw him a few days ago, when I ensured I didn’t look at him once, keeping my focus on my nephew, and then you have Kavan, who is hanging around the floor like a bad smell.
“Okay Dr. Aimes,” Dr. Thomas says, “What do you think?”
I tilt my head at the screen as Shadow questions, “No offense to the lovely lady, but shouldn’t a more qualified doctor look at Thunder's scans?”
No one answers him, all waiting for my reply, and I narrow my eyes at the screen and zoom in further, noticing what I did on the phone and…
“It isn’t torn,” I declare as I stand up straight and look at both doctors, who are looking at me rather than the screen, waiting for me to elaborate.
I point at the smaller screen, “It’s small, but you can see the nerve is fully intact, it’s just trapped by muscle.”
Dr. Thomas grins while Doc nods his head, looking awfully proud, while my dad looks at me with awe.
“Doc, can you double-check, please?” Shadow says, and I smirk as I wave my hand for him to confirm, but instead of moving, he looks at Bradley, who is standing extremely close to me and asks, “What do you think?”
I look at Bradley, and we lock eyes, and suddenly everyone else in this room vanishes.
Oh crap, I really do want him.
“I think I trust her judgement,” he says firmly, and I swear my breathing picks up.
“Son!” Shadow snaps, but Bradley puts his hand up to silence him before demanding, “And Dr. Aimes here will be doing my surgery.”
What the?
“Uh no, nope, not happening, I’m barely a resident!” I state, and not only that, but I’m also feeling things, and I really don’t think I can be in that room.
“Well, at least she’s sensible enough to know she isn’t qualified,” Shadow snaps, and I look his way and raise a brow.
“Actually, I am fully qualified to decompress the surrounding muscle or scar tissue, so please don’t take my hesitation as a lack of skills. I’ve done enough this year because of Dr. Thomas, meaning I could basically do it in my sleep, including rerouting the nerve, if need be. I just- I can’t…”
My words trail off, and Shadows grins and asks, “Can’t what?” and I narrow my eyes, realizing he’s just played me, the ass.
“Dr. Aimes, you are going to assist in the surgery,” Dr. Thomas announces, and my eyes widen in shock and denial is instantly on the tip of my tongue, but a warm hand grabbing mine causes tingles to erupt and stop me, and I lock eyes with Bradley and yet again, he’s all I can see.
“Please,” he whispers, not breaking the intensity of the eye contact, and I swallow hard as I nod once, for some reason not able to say no, but when Dr. Thomas admits, “Doc will also be inside the room,” I groan, causing the men to chuckle.
I huff, “No pressure,” before I state, “Bradley, let’s get your observations done,” and he hums as he takes a step closer to me, then, ever so gently, he wraps an arm around my waist, and I lock eyes with him again at how right he feels wrapped around me.
Okay, so this isn’t good, nope, not good at all.
“Show me the way, Dr. Aimes,” he murmurs, and I swallow hard but nod and allow my feet to move for me while my mind stays on the hand that is holding my waist, sending lightning jolts throughout my body. The tingles evolve dramatically so that it makes it difficult to breathe.
I’m not ready for this feeling. I’m working two jobs, trying to study for my exam so I can progress in my career, and I’m basically bringing up my nephew, something I didn’t want to admit to, but it’s the truth. I don’t have time for a brother to claim me, and claim me he is.
He gave me his legal name...
The men make room for us as we leave, and whatever my dad sees in my eyes, he softens his face and says, “I’ll be hanging around until you’re finished,” and I nod as I guide Bradley to an exam room.
***
“So, do you think I’ll make it through the surgery?” Bradley asks, and I look up from my notes to find him smirking at me, and I smile.
“I think that you’ll be just fine,” I chuckle, and he hums as I sign the chart.
“You go in on yourself when you’re working on a patient,” he mentions, and I close the chart and look his way.
“I don’t want to mess up,” I admit, “When I have a patient’s life in my hands, I want to make sure everything is right.”
“Like with my scans?” he confirms, and I nod and reply, “Exactly, and it was Dr. Thomas who taught me to be thorough.”
“Yet he didn’t pick up on my knee,” he goads, and I smirk.
“Oh, he did, he was testing me,” I say, and Bradley grins, and I shrug. “He already had the repeat scan booked. He noticed it, and he wanted to test me.”
“And you passed with flying colors,” a voice says behind me, and I chuckle as I turn and say, “So you think I’ll pass my exam?”
Dr. Thomas smiles and admits, “Yeah, you will,” and I beam before I freeze as a stunning woman with long caramel hair, sapphire eyes and a baby bump rushes past Dr. Thomas, who groans, “Britanny, who gave you clearance to come up here and where is Trigger?”
The woman glares at Dr. Thomas and snaps, “He’s my brother, I didn’t need clearance and Trigger is downstairs!”
Oh…
She accidentally bumps past me, causing me to stumble, and I gasp, half expecting to fall into the counter. A strong arm comes around my waist, following a grunt, and I quickly look at Bradley with wide eyes, knowing that was a grunt full of pain.
“Bradley, don’t cause yourself anymore damage,” the woman, Brittany, snaps, but the man doesn’t look at her. He keeps eye contact with me as he growls, “Then maybe you shouldn’t knock your pregnant ass into people and slow down!”
“I-I, crap, I’m sorry,” Brittany says, and I reluctantly break eye contact with Bradley and look her way.
“That’s okay,” I murmur before I gently push Bradley back, seeing he’s struggling with my weight, and I state, “And you shouldn’t have caught me. I wouldn’t have landed on the floor.”
“Treasure, I wasn’t going to risk it,” he grunts, and I gently rub my thumbs into his shoulder to help ease the pain.
“Treasure?” Brittany whispers, and Dr. Thomas mentions, “Brit, maybe give them a minute?”
“No, I’m not leaving my brother who I have only just seen again in eight months,” she says, and Bradley murmurs, “You’re good at that,” and my lips twitch.
“I kind of have to be,” I say. “Now, do me a favor.” he raises a brow, and I demand, “No more catching people with that shoulder. Your nerve is trapped, and I don’t want you tearing it.”
“Okay,” he says softly, and I nod as I take a step back and my eyes race between his before I say, “I’ll leave you with your sister and see you in two days for your surgery.”
“What if I can’t wait two days?” he asks, and I swallow hard.
“Well, you’re just going to have to,” I murmur, “I’m clocking off in ten minutes, and my dad’s waiting for me.”
I’m not sure why Dad showed up, I’m not sure why he’s trying to make an effort or why he stayed. Something is telling me to give him a chance, or Tilly's voice is at least. Tonight I’m at the store, meaning I’m only going to get four hours of sleep before I have to leave home.
I don’t have time for this man right now, even if my body is gravitating towards him.
I give his sister a smile, and she narrows her eyes at me, which makes me wary. I look at Bradley one last time before turning to Dr. Thomas, who is frowning at Brittany.
“Is Dad still in reception?” I ask the man, and he nods as he slowly looks my way, and I hand him the chart.
“Everything is looking good, and I’ll see you in two days,” I say, and he narrows his eyes at me and confirms, “You’re going home to sleep, right?”
I raise a brow and confirm, “I am,” and he asks, “And you’re not working at the store tonight?”
I really hate that he saw me working there…
I clear my throat and lie, “I have no idea what you are talking about,” and I walk past him.
“Don’t make me give your dad your student loan information, Scottie Sapphire, because I will!” Dr. Thomas calls as I rush down the hallway, “You do not work tonight, and I mean it!”
“Damn, man acts more like a father than my own,” I grunt as I quickly get onto the elevator before he can follow.
***
I walk into reception a few minutes later after grabbing my things from the staff room, and Dad puts down the paper he was reading and stands.
“I thought we could go get dinner,” he says softly, and I swallow hard.
“What about Sammie?” I ask, and Dad smiles.
“I told Kavan to pick him up and drop him off at mine. I’ve already told your mama to watch him and explained I’ll be having dinner with you,” he explains, and I look down, hating the disconnect I have with my own mother.
He says, “Scottie,” and I look up when he doesn’t continue.
Smiling, he admits, “She wanted to join us, she was actually upset when I told her she couldn’t because we can’t trust Yasmin with Sammie. ”
Disbelief fills me, I can’t help it.
Mama slapped me when I refused to attend Rachel’s wedding. She belittled me in front of them, called my job a waste of time, told me to grow up when my sisters affair came about.
“Come on, we’ve got a lot to talk about,” Dad says, and he lifts his arm and despite the move shocking me, not used to this sudden caring father, I go into him willingly.
I allow him to guide me out of the hospital but just as he wraps his arm around me, he states, “Just so you know, I’ve paid off your loans so you won’t be returning to the store…
” I freeze mid-step and absolute shock and fury fills me.
He did what?
I look at my father with a glare, but instead of backing down, he raises a brow with a smug fricking look on his face.
Mother…
“I spoke to your mother, Scottie,” he says before I can rip him a new one.
“I had a long fucking talk with her about our treatment of you all because you didn’t become a lawyer.
You are training to be a surgeon, not a cleaner, as your sister lied about.
You’ve worked your ass off for years to the point not only are you ahead of peers your age, but you are the number one most wanted resident.
Your mother was shocked that we never received your graduation invitation, hurt actually before you even bring up us apparently knowing, and you know where we found the invitation?
” I shake my head, too shocked to speak, and he admits, “In your sister's drawer, in her old room. She kept it as a souvenir.”
“Well, that’s just creepy,” I mutter before I continue walking and Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders again and explains, “I told her about your loans and even she demanded we pay them off so you can quit your other job and focus on your residency. Heck, she even wanted to buy your home for you, that is how much your mother has realized her mistake, just as I have,” he sighs, “We’ve treated you poorly, we’ve listened to your sister, all because we wanted to believe her narrative of shit.
After you chose your own path, we followed her lead all because she stayed on the path we wanted.
I am so sorry, but I won’t watch you work yourself into the ground because that is what you are doing and you don’t even have time for yourself when you aren’t working.
You’ve been basically raising your nephew, a constant reminder of how evil your sister is. ”
We stop by his SUV, and I look up at him.
Swallowing hard, I mutter, “I don’t want you and Mama to buy my home,” meaning every word and not just because I’m proud, because I am, but…
Bradley comes to mind, which is absolutely stupid, but he does.
I’ve never had a connection like this before, and it’s scary, and I want to run but it is there and it’s making me rethink buying my home that I’m proud of, which again, is stupid.
“I know, I told your mother that and she’s agreed for now,” Dad admits and I sniffle when he pleads, “Come have dinner with me, and maybe next week, you, your mama, Sammie and I can go to the seaside? Maybe you can allow us to get to know our daughter again and allow us to prove that we are sorry?”
“I’m not mad, Dad,” I admit, “Resentful? Yes, but not mad because Mama putting me in public school and you both basically ensuring I fend for myself is the reason why I’ve become the person I am, and I like that person.”
“Still doesn’t make it alright, Scottie,” he says before nodding to his SUV and demanding softly, “Get in and spend some time with your old dad, and I can help you unscramble your head about Thunder.”
“I’m that obvious, huh?” I choke, and he nods as he opens the passenger door and confirms, “That you are, sweetheart, now come on.”
I look at Dad for a beat, Tilly’s encouragement echoing, and, taking a deep breath, I climb into his SUV, hoping I’m not making a mistake as my mind goes back to that hospital where Bradley is…