Grant
GRANT
Another day, another set of rounds. For the most part, took refuge in the predictable pattern of his days. When he woke up, he went for a run, no matter what time of day he dragged himself out of bed. His first meal was eaten on the way to work, and he would begin his rounds the moment he arrived. His second meal came whenever he could get it, though most days, he had an hour, long enough to eat and get some time in the gym next to the hospital. Then, the remainder of his shift, maybe a meeting or three, and then he would head home.
Some days, he worked the clinic, which was the most variation he experienced in any given week. And as certain nosy co-workers liked to remind him, there was even less variation in his personal time. Fridays felt like Wednesdays, and he couldn’t tell the difference between Tuesdays and Saturdays.
It was how he liked it.
Lydia spotted him approaching the nurse’s desk and grinned widely. “Well, a happy Monday to you. Tell me, did you do anything fun this weekend?”
dropped off the charts in his hand and grabbed the next batch. “We both know the answer to that question.”
She shook her head slowly. “Honestly, Dr. Andrews, one of these days, you have to find something besides work to occupy your time.”
The latest patient was resting in a nearby room, watched over by his friend and coworker. An explosion had catapulted the man into ’s care as if the fires weren’t enough.
“We both know this place keeps us plenty busy,” told her.
Lydia wrinkled her nose. “I’m getting a sense of deja vu. Why is that?”
Leon looked up from the computer. “Probably because you have this conversation with him at least once a week, usually twice.”
“I believe the record so far is four times in one week,” said dryly, opening the top folder.
She narrowed her eyes. “You’ve counted.”
Leon snorted. “You lost me money. You’re damn right I’m petty enough to keep count.”
“Lost, why did you…” she stopped, nostrils flaring. “You made a bet.”
chuckled. “I told him you couldn’t go one week without mentioning that I’m single, or that I need to find a man, or if I’d met anyone.”
Lydia blinked at Leon. “Aw, and you thought I could make it?”
smirked. “No.”
Leon groaned. “Dr. Andrews, please.”
“Remember that week where every time you tried to talk to me, you’d get pulled into something else? You kept complaining that you and I never got a word together.”
Lydia frowned thoughtfully before turning to Leon. “Yes, because a certain someone kept finding me stuff to do! You shit, you were trying to win a bet.”
“It was the only way I was going to win,” Leon admitted.
She huffed. “How much did you lose?”
“Enough that I’ve kept a tally ever since.”
rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he listened to them bicker back and forth good-naturedly. They were professional enough to keep their voices low so they wouldn’t disturb any patients. couldn’t help but wonder what her reaction would have been if Lydia had witnessed his conversation with Theo.
The thought brought another rush of blood to his cheeks and, to his dismay, somewhere farther south as well. What should have been a perfectly normal, friendly chat over a cup of coffee had derailed so fast that two days later, was still trying to figure out what happened.
It had certainly marked a few firsts for him. Namely, it was the first time any patient had so blatantly flirted with him. It also marked the first time anyone had offered to refer to him by a nickname. And if the squirming in his gut was any indication, it was the first time could ever remember being affected by a former patient.
had been in doctor mode in the examination room, and while Theo had certainly merited a momentary, not-so-professional glance, had shoved it away. Up close and personal, without the need to be a doctor, had found himself unarmed and defenseless before the charm Theo wielded with all the grace of a sledgehammer.
“Uh, Dr. Andrews?” Lydia asked, piercing his thoughts.
twitched, eyes flitting toward her. “Yes?”
“You alright?”
“Should I not be?”
Leon leaned forward, frowning. “You’re blushing.”
Hell. Just what he needed.
cleared his throat. “It’s not too hot in here for you two?”
“I’m one degree away from needing a sweater,” Lydia said, raising a thin brow.
“Well, I’m warm,” said, turning away from them before they grew more curious.
Leon and Lydia were good people, though a little too nosy and persistent for his taste. The last thing he needed was for them to learn that his mind was lingering on flashing hazel eyes and a crooked smile that sent a shiver through him. And he definitely didn’t need them knowing he had stuttered over the wicked wit of a clever and impish man who had taken great pleasure in teasing .
He shook himself and stopped outside the first room on his rounds. Theo was obviously young and willful. Probably a little too young if was honest. And on the subject of being honest, he’d have to admit that getting so wound up over one of his patients was a good sign that he needed to get out again. It had been a little while, after all.
Taking what he hoped was a calming breath, he stepped quietly into the room. took a few soft steps and froze at the scene before him. His patient was awake, his features scrunched up and hazy. Yet his attention was devoted to the man sitting beside his bed. The patient reached forward, cradling the other man’s neck in a gesture tender enough to send an ache through ’s chest.
Stepping back out of sight, he checked the file again to have the man’s name ready. First names were intimate, but they tended to make patients feel more at ease, at least when they were laid out in a bed injured. Those in the clinic tended to deal better with more formality, something had never been able to puzzle out.
Stepping a little heavier, walked back into the room. “Oh, good, you’re awake.”
They both turned to him and the patient, Elias, slowly pulled his hand away from the other man. Neither looked embarrassed by the gesture, though the blond-haired friend looked nervous.
“Good evening, I’m Dr. Andrews. It’s nice to see you awake, Elias. How are you feeling?” he asked him, smiling warmly.
Elias winced. “Awake, but a little confused.”
“I was starting to tell him.” Explained the friend.
nodded. “It seems there was an explosion at the fire you were helping to put out. The blast wasn’t too bad, but you and your partner here were close enough to get knocked off your feet. And you were unlucky enough to end up buried under the rubble.”
“Would that explain my back?” Elias asked with a wince.
The man was lucky that the worst he’d come away with was a few bumps, bruises, and a sore back. Elias had been thrown clear of the worst of it, but the falling debris could have been deadly. had seen a case not that long ago where an unfortunate man had been well out of the blast range, only to have his head caved in by a flying piece of concrete.
Not that he was going to lay that on his new patient.
So, instead, he chuckled. “That it would. Seems a large beam fell on you. Honestly, from the sounds of it, you’re a very lucky man. That beam could have easily killed you. This is only a guess, but I suspect it hit the ground, where most of the force went. You did, however, take quite a beating in the process.”
Elias let his head fall back. “What’s broken, and how long am I stuck in bed?
“We’re still making sure you’re okay, but all in all, you’re a lucky man with only a few marks.”
“Feels like more than a few,” Elias muttered.
“Yes, I imagine it does. Your back will hurt for a while, but we’ll give you something.”
Elias’ nose wrinkled, waving a hand at him. “Don’t.”
“Elias,” his friend protested.
“I’m not dealing with painkillers. Those things fuck you up.”
“This isn’t the time to be stubborn. You almost died, dumbass.”
couldn’t help his small, private smile at the insult. There was genuine affection behind it, and it lacked any real vehemence. The men were incredibly close, and while didn’t want to make assumptions, he leaned toward them being lovers—and close ones at that.
Elias’ face pinched. “And I’m not having my body freak out because it wants drugs. And who are you calling a dumbass? You’re the one sitting there bandaged up and not having taken a shower.”
That earned a snort. “I’ve been here, waiting for you to wake up. Dumbass.”
’s smile became public as he spoke. “Well, now we’ve established that. By all accounts, you should be out in the next day or two. Would you say no to not a pain killer but a reliever? I’m sure we can scrounge up some ibuprofen for you, with a little more kick than the over-the-counter sort.”
“That I won’t say no to,” Elias said.
shoved his hands in his pockets. “Good, then I’ll send a nurse to give you your pills. You should at least try to get some rest in the meantime.”
“Isn't that what I have been doing?” Elias asked.
gave him a wry smile. “Try for some more then.”
Elias nodded, the fight seeming to drain out of him with that one concession. almost felt a twinge of sympathy for the friend or lover, but he had a feeling the two were accustomed to handling one another. He also knew no force in heaven or hell would encourage to try and push. He’d let them sort out the discussion about painkillers, and with some privacy as well.
He stepped out into the hallway, shaking his head. had been privy to many private matters during his time at the hospital. He saw grief more often than he’d like, and the death of hope in a loved one’s face always sat in his gut like a rock. Yet now and again, he witnessed pure relief and the joy of a healthy and safe loved one. Every once in a while, he was witness to something growing, something warm and fulfilling, and he suspected he had just witnessed something of the sort.
Those were what made his job worth every ounce of stress and heartache.
Lydia reached out as he passed. “I get off in an hour.”
raised a brow. “And?”
“And, before I forget, what are you doing Wednesday night?”
blinked. “Uh, probably going home in the evening unless I get held over.”
Lydia sighed. “Could you do me a favor?”
“Is this a work favor?” asked.
“No, this is an out-of-work favor.”
“That’s new.”
“Dr. Andrews.”
“If you're going to ask me an out-of-work favor, you might as well use my first name.”
Lydia wrinkled her nose. “Fine, but not on the clock.”
“Good. Now, what’s the favor?”
“Uh, how do you feel about art?”
cocked his head. “Art? It’s...pretty?”
Lydia snorted. “I guess I should have seen that coming. Well, how would you feel about escorting a lady?”
“Do we have one handy?” asked wryly.
Lydia swatted him with the folders in her hand. “Would you be my date for an art show? I don’t want to go alone, and Dom has to work a double.”
“Oh well, color me flattered that without any other option, you chose me.”
“I have very few friends outside work. And who was I going to ask, Leon?” Lydia demanded.
“Hey!” Leon’s voice floated out from a nearby doorway.
Lydia rolled her eyes. “The same man who thought Michelangelo was originally a Mutant Turtle.”
fought to keep his features straight. “That’s...unfortunate.”
“And thought Monet was a fancy way of saying money.”
sighed. “You’ve researched his lack of artistic sensibilities and knowledge.”
“Well, whatever someone I take with me better either be handsome as hell or at least not make me look like a complete fool in front of all the fancy art people. I can count on you to check both boxes with flying colors.”
“And I continue to be flattered.”
“Please?”
God, hadn’t he been thinking he needed to get out? And an art show, while not his first choice, was as good a place as any. At least he could count on some halfway decent conversation, and he imagined the wine would be better than the bottles collecting dust at home.
sighed. “Alright. You win.”
Lydia beamed. “Thank you, Dr. Andrews. I’ll slip the ticket through your locker tomorrow.”
watched her all but bounce off, apparently thrilled that he was going with her. It was only after she was out of sight that something occurred to him.
“She’s going to try to hook me up at the show, isn’t she?” asked.
Leon emerged from the utility closet, shaking his head. “And you walked right into it. She’s going to have you at her side, scoping out potential guys for you.”
Outmatched and outplayed.
“Damn,” muttered under his breath.
He snatched up the next pile of folders and stalked off before he could find some other way to trap himself.