Chapter Nine
I’m older and more mature, so I did the right thing, didn’t I? - Asher
Asher
Lyla throws back her head as she laughs at something the new resident just said. I grind my teeth when she grabs his arm. What the hell could Dr. Jonathan Felix have said that is so damn funny? He’s never made me laugh before. Fucking youngster. I narrow my eyes as I watch the two of them together.
Lyla’s blue eyes sparkle when Dr. Felix chuckles and then points at something in the chart he’s holding. Dr. Felix steps closer to her and my hands curl into fists.
“You’re looking rather feisty today, son. Did you have enough bran in your breakfast? Constipation can be difficult, especially as you get older,” Dr. Blanchard’s voice breaks through my haze of rage.
I glance over at him, and he laughs. “You look ready to kill someone. Either your bowels haven’t moved or you’re ready to punch young Dr. Felix over there for talking to your girl.”
I roll my eyes and slam the chart in my hand down on the counter. “I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth, “And no I’m not constipated. Thanks for your concern.”
Dr. Blanchard slaps me on the back. “Guessing you don’t like Dr. Felix talking to our Lyla then.”
I hear Lyla’s tinkling laugh again and my shoulders tense. She usually only laughs like that for me.
“What did I tell you, son? You need to make a move, because if you don’t, some other young buck will.” His gaze slides over to where Dr. Felix and Lyla stand talking still. “And it looks like Felix is throwing his hat in the ring.” He shakes his head. “Good looking fella. And young. Probably doesn’t have your anger issues either.”
I tighten the grip on the pen in my hand until it snaps and ink splatters on my hand. Fuck me.
Dr. Blanchard sends my pen a pointed look. “See, that right there is a turn off. Got to get that anger under control, buddy.”
I turn around to face the counter and look down. “Thanks for the advice, Bruce. I’ve got it handled.”
He slaps me on the back again. “Sure you do, doc. Anyway, I’ve got a patient to see. Seems Sergeant O’Hara in Room 438 does have a constipation problem that’s gotten out of control. Now, he needs surgery.” He emits a low whistle. “Weird how that happens. Let something fester and it becomes something much bigger.”
I roll my eyes. Damn old man and his well-intentioned advice.
“That Lyla is a firecracker, isn’t she?” Dr. Felix’s voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard in my ear.
I swing around slowly to look at the young doctor. “She’s a well-qualified nursing student if that’s what you mean by firecracker, Dr. Felix.”
The young man grins. I have tried not to let him get under my skin, but something about him rakes on my last nerve. Maybe it’s the fact that all the nurses are in love with him. Maybe it’s the fact that he reminds me of a younger version of myself. Maybe it’s because he puts too much hair gel in his hair. Aw hell, who am I kidding? It’s because Lyla likes him.
He chuckles. “Yeah, she sure is well-qualified .” His voice is full of innuendo and my hands curl into fists again.
“We talk about our colleagues in a respectful manner here, Felix. Not like objects of infatuation.” I sound like an uptight asshole, but I won’t have anyone reduce Lyla to a sexual object.
“Sure, sure,” Dr. Felix nods and then grins, “but do you happen to know if she’s single or not?”
My shoulders tense again. “Her single status is none of our business, Felix, and don’t you have patients to round on?” A headache is beginning to brew behind my eyes. The thought of this fool and my girl together makes me feel sick. And old. Most of all, old.
He grins again as he grabs a patient’s chart off the counter. “Okay, okay. No worries, Dr. Cannon. I can always ask the nurses.” He looks over and sends me another cocky grin as he bops away.
Fuck. I hate that guy.