Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Julian
“Busy day, Jacobs?” Benny hollers when he spots me relaxing against the desk.
“I’ve got a couple cases, hopefully nothing too crazy.”
Straightening, I shake the man’s offered hand as he joins us behind the desk. Watching with narrowed eyes as he sidles up next to Leena in almost the exact way we were moments ago. Her shoulders stiffen imperceptibly. Either he doesn’t notice, or doesn’t care.
“What’ve we got going on today, Leena?”
She twirls away to the printer along the back wall and plucks the paper that shoots out. Handing it to him, they quietly go over what the day ahead looks like.
My lips flatten and my shoulders tighten. I know I shouldn’t linger, but I can’t get my feet to move.
Benny lifts his hand and tugs on one of the long, loose curls hanging over Leena’s shoulder. “I always forget how curly your hair is,” he interrupts her. “I like it, seeing it down. It’s like when I get to see you without your scrubs on.”
My vision blurs a hazy red with anger at his innuendo, a common joke in the OR when we see someone dressed in regular clothes and not the scrubs we are accustomed to seeing one another in.
I’m not unfamiliar with suggestive comments and conversations—it happens to be a common occurrence in the OR.
With our patients typically unconscious, people shed their professional healthcare worker facade and relax into a laidback camaraderie with one another.
Most join in the innocent teasing, never taking it too seriously.
However, the appreciative tone Benny used as he lowered his voice to a whisper as he touched my girl’s hair was obvious. An unfamiliar urge to slam his head against the desk threatens to overtake me. I’ve never had violent urges or experienced the jealousy currently burning in my chest.
“Ew, Benny! You know how disgusting that is?” Leena yanks her hair out of his hand and gives him a sharp look.
She twists her glossy locks at the nape of her neck and slips another adorable scrub cap with a Taylor Swift The Eras Tour print on her head.
Fidgeting with it until it sits comfortably on her head.
“Especially when I’ve heard you use that same kind of line on almost every female here,” she says with an edge to her voice.
He scoffs. “Leena, lighten up. I was actually trying to give you a compliment.”
Her eyes shift to me. Relaxing my jaw, I give her a tender smile hoping to convey my thoughts.
You’ve got this, baby.
At the softening of her shoulders—so slight that if I wasn’t locked in on her, I’d miss it—all the tension in my neck and shoulders eases. I did that.
“Yeah, sure. Keep it to yourself next time,” she reprimands him.
Seeing her take command of an uncomfortable situation, I stare at her in awe. My girl has a backbone and claws she isn’t afraid to use. The fact that she has never shut me down or used that tone of voice on me makes me want to pound my chest in manly satisfaction.
Repressing the violent impulse, I straighten to my full height. She doesn’t need my help, but I intend for him to feel the pressure. If I witness him or hear about him doing this shit to her again after I’ve heard her tell him to stop, there will be hell to pay.
“Alright, Benny, she’s told you that's enough. Time to back off.”
His head whips in my direction. He must see the fury I try to disguise on my face, but attempts to gaslight us both about the situation anyway. “Woah there, tough guy. I won’t compliment her again,” he says with hands raised in mock surrender.
Leena locks her computer, gathers her stack of paperwork and notebook, then heads in the direction of the substerile corridor. “I’ll let you know if anything changes or comes up, Benny,” she says as she pushes the door open.
I take one last sip from my half-drunk coffee cup, never breaking his stare, then dump it in the trash under the desk. “Have a good day, Benny,” I say evenly and walk away. Even though everything inside me screams to stay, to protect her, to claim her in front of him.
I head towards the ortho unit to round early on my patients as a way to take my mind off Leena.
She’ll probably be angry I stepped in at the end, but I refuse to have my girl feel uncomfortable at work.
For any reason, and that includes me. Since that night at the restaurant, she hasn’t come right out and told me nothing further can happen between us or asked me to leave her alone.
But, I will be watching even closer for any tells her body gives that this is not what she wants.
Pretty Girl: You didn’t need to do that.
My heart pangs.
Pretty Girl: But thank you.
Internally, I pump my fist in the air. Yes, I’m making progress!
I hope this momentum doesn’t fade while I’m off-duty at the hospital for the next two weeks.
I’m off for the rest of this week, seeing patients in clinic early next week, and unfortunately, I also don’t have any surgical cases to add to my first individual Sports Medicine block next Friday.
Yet. Crossing my fingers, it would be the perfect opportunity to see her sooner.
I’ve come to rely on our short time together each morning to get my much-needed fix in my ever-growing obsession with her. I missed seeing her over the weekend and yesterday, and with today being my last day on shift, I got a little carried away being so close to her.
Her scent is intoxicating. A fragrant mix of a perfectly ripe fruit I can’t quite place and a hint of something minty. The cool sweetness makes me want to lay her down, spread her out, and gorge myself on her essence—among other things.
Entering the OR suite a little while later, Charlie drapes a towel over my dripping hands.
“Oh look, it's the ortho bro who also plays the part of hero.” She’s teasing me, if the twitching of her mask is any indication.
I roll my eyes as she gowns me. “Ortho bro? Really?”
“I also said hero. I heard you saved Leena from Benny.”
A growl rumbles up my throat, unbidden with a renewed churning in my gut.
I’m a little surprised she’s broached the topic of Leena and me.
Since that first morning she made that almost non-comment about my name, we have interacted in relaxed professionalism, never straying too deeply into personal territory.
Especially our shared affection for a certain pint-sized, curly-haired nurse.
Slipping my first glove on, she says in a voice void of any humor, “Thank you for keeping an eye on her. She's strong and she can handle herself, but it's nice to have people remind her she doesn't need to do it alone all the time.”
“You don't need to thank me, Charlie. I'd do anything for her.”
Now Charlie's eyes are alight with mischief. “You've got it bad,” she says quietly. “No wonder you were playing hero.”
“Who are you playing hero for?”
I’m startled by Sarina’s question as she comes up behind me, suddenly nervous about how much of that she actually heard. She quickly ties up the back of my gown.
“He just stopped me from contaminating the back table.” Charlie's quick fib is impressive. “I’m sure it was mostly a selfish move. You know, so he doesn't have to wait while we completely break everything down and reopen.”
Sarina tuts, “Oh, so he's being a selfish hero.”
Handing her the card to finish doing up my gown, Charlie peeks around me. “Typical ortho bro,” she states flatly.
I give her an appreciative look and she winks back at me conspiratorially.
My phone dings with a message. “Can you check that for me, please?”
Grabbing my phone, she calls out, “Your PA says a patient is being transferred from a rural hospital this morning, most likely needs an ex-fix for their tibia. She’s giving you a heads up for the eval before Logan comes on shift.”
“Alright, thank you. Can you give her a thumbs up, please?”
Me: Will you be able to remember to bring coffee tomorrow? I’m gonna miss being the one caffeinating you each morning.
Lounging on the couch with a beer and forgotten book, I unashamedly send Leena a text. It may be another lame message, but I’ll use any excuse because she has finally stopped ignoring them.
Pretty Girl: I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I just heard you had a fragile ego. I was worried if I turned your coffee down, your patients would suffer.
Spluttering on my beer, I wipe my face with the back of my hand. This girl can bust my balls all she wants, I fucking love when she gets sassy.
Barely looking up at me, Jace scoffs but continues working away on his computer. “You are a fucking simp for this girl.”
I bounce my brows and grin, wide and unashamed. “Guilty. But, dude, when you find someone who has you jumping through hoops, I’m gonna make you eat your words.”
Me: Ouch!
Me: I do have a fragile ego though, who told you?
Me: Maybe for the sake of the patients, you should let me take you out.
Tuning Jace out at my phone's ping, I’m hoping Leena has agreed to a date.
Sissy: What’s going on with the housing situation? I want to hang out.
My disappointment is softened when I read my sister’s text. I can actually hear the pout in her voice.
Me: I’m still staying with Jace. But I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you coming over. I can give you my room and sleep on the couch.
Watching the three dots bounce, I bet she’s typing some long-winded commentary. But then the bubble disappears for a moment before the three dots return.
Before her response comes in, Leena sends a “HAHA” tapback to my latest message.
Pretty Girl: Smooth but I don’t think so… Doctor
Hanging my head back, I let out a defeated sigh. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy, but still hoped for a yes. I’m saved from wallowing when my sister finally replies.
Sissy: I don’t want to put you out or make your friend uncomfortable having to put up with your bratty little sister.
Frowning, I’m not sure what to make of that response.
“Would you mind if Quinn stays with us this weekend? I’d give her my room and crash on the couch.”
“Not at all. Just make sure she doesn't try decorating the place the way she and your mom did to you and your brothers.” He pretends to shudder even without looking up.
“I doubt she’d do it on her own, but I promise to not let her change your bachelor pad.”
“Laugh all you want, but I like my space! Besides, your sister and mom are scary when they’re bulldozing all over you guys.”
“They totally are. But they know we all have a soft spot for them and take advantage.” It’s totally true.
My sister is the youngest, and only girl, after my brothers and me.
Therefore, my dad and us boys have always been protective of Quinn, and more than willing to do whatever puts a smile on her and my mom’s faces.
Me: You’re acting like Jace has never met you. And you haven’t been a brat for a very long time.
Me: Come up this weekend. School starts soon so who knows when you’ll have time again.
She must be checking her extensive social calendar with how long it takes her to send a thumbs up emoji. I may not be moving into my own place, but I’m suddenly looking forward to the weekend.