15. Ethan
15
ETHAN
The hospital smells like a Christmas tree farm thanks to the absurd amount of garland lining the hallways. Every year, someone goes overboard with the holiday decorations, as if tinsel, pine-scented air fresheners, and fake snow are going to make the ER feel less like a place where at least a few patients burst into tears every day.
It’s barely noon, and the ER is already buzzing with the usual holiday-type injuries. A guy came in with a deep gash in his hand from carving a turkey. Then, there’s the kid who swallowed a Christmas ornament hook while they were decorating. I would think at three, they wouldn’t be putting things in their mouths anymore. But apparently, I’m wrong.
I always ask patients for their stories. Some of them don’t want to tell, but the teenager who comes in with a twisted ankle is all too happy to tell his story.
“I wanted to hang some mistletoe up all around our house. My parents are going out of town this weekend, and I’m having my girlfriend over.”
I bandage up his ankle quickly. “But now, your parents aren’t going out of town,” I guess .
“Oh, no. They still have to go. Someone has to show up at Uncle Steve’s house every year if they want their share of his inheritance.”
It’s going to be one of those non-stop days, but for some reason, it’s not getting to me today. I’m still thinking about what Madison proposed to me yesterday. The proposal I quickly accepted before she could take it back.
And anytime I have a break in the action, I think about what she’ll say if I text her after my shift and suggest I come over for some “relaxation” time. Twice is not enough. I want to be with Madison again and again, explore every inch of her body until I have it memorized. I’m not nearly there yet.
She’s younger, yes, but it’s not just that. She’s got this fire in her, and I like it. I genuinely like spending time with her, the time in the bedroom, yes, but also the time over dinner.
I head over to the nurse’s station to grab the patients’ charts, my mind wandering as I go through the motions.
I’m not the kind of man who lets someone get under his skin, but damn it, Madison is doing just that. I can’t stop thinking about her.
I hum something under my breath as I mark the correct charts.
“Dr. Taylor, you seem awfully chipper today,” a voice teases from behind the counter. I look up to see Janine, one of the head nurses, grinning at me with a knowing twinkle in her eye.
“Chipper? Me? I don’t think anyone has ever used that word to describe me.”
“Then they haven’t seen you in this mood before. I haven’t, clearly. Is something going on?”
“Going on. I’m trying to stay in a good mood while dealing with people who are idiots.” I look around to make sure no patients are close enough to hear me. “I mean…re ally? Sometimes, the injuries people come in with just don’t make sense.”
“You might be trying to change the subject, but you’ve been humming Christmas songs since you walked in. That’s not normal for you, especially on a busy day like this. Who is she?”
I chuckle, shaking my head as I scan the next chart. “You’re imagining things, Janine.”
“Oh, no, I’m not. We’ve worked together long enough for me to know when you’ve got something going on. You’ve got that look. The one men get when they’ve got a new lady in their life.”
I pause, meeting her eyes over the top of the chart. I know better than to try and lie to Janine. She’s been working with me for years, and she’s like a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out the truth.
“Fine, there is someone. But that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
Janine’s grin widens. “That’s more than enough. It’s good to see you happy, Dr. Taylor. You deserve it.”
Her words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. Janine’s seen me through a lot—through Aurora’s birth, through my divorce, through the years of raising my daughter on my own while juggling my career. It’s strange to think she’s right. I am happy.
“Thanks, Janine. It’s… It’s been good.” I think about Madison naked, and there’s another word I want to use. But I don’t say it.
“Good? You’re practically glowing. Is she someone special?”
I hesitate, not sure how to answer that. Madison is…special, yes. But what we have is still so new. I don’t want to jinx it by putting a label on it just yet .
“She’s different, but I don’t want to rush things. Anyway, I’d rather not discuss my love life…or whatever I could call it with you if you don’t mind. I do need to discuss this patient’s antibiotic schedule.”
Janine pays attention as I give her adjustments to make to the schedule of medicine distribution. But before I can wiggle away, Janine starts in with asking even more questions.
“How’s Aurora doing? I haven’t seen her in a while. Is she still living on Oak Island?”
The mention of my daughter brings a familiar warmth to my chest. “She’s good. Still living on Oak Island. She’s busy making her own way into the world now, but she still comes to visit me sometimes.”
“That’s good. She was always the sweetest little kid. I remember when she came in with a broken arm.”
“Oh yes, gymnastics beat her butt that year. Well, I’m going in to check on patient Cox. I’ll give you an update on him when I come back.”
I effectively end the conversation as we head in separate directions.
My shift keeps me busy in the typical extreme workload that this time of year brings. But I’m constantly thinking about Madison. Should I send her a casual text first or go right to what I want? Should I tell her earlier in the day or later?
I don’t know how to handle this situation, but I know what I want.
By the time my shift ends, I’m exhausted, but there’s a part of me that’s still buzzing with energy. I want to see Madison again, but I know I need to be careful.
As I grab my coat and head out of the hospital, I make a decision. I’ll give her some space. I’ll let her take the lead mostly and never ask for more than she’s willing to give. Even though she wants a relationship of just sex, I’m not sure that I’m 100% ready to settle for that. Maybe, just maybe, I want more.
With that thought in mind, I step out into the chilly evening air, a smile tugging at my lips. As I walk to my car, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Madison.
Hey. Just finished my shift. Thinking about you.
I hit send before I can second-guess myself, and a moment later, my phone buzzes with her reply.
What are you thinking?
A warmth spreads through me. She’s leaving this open for me to respond however I want. Wary of the fact that she’s interested in a physical relationship only, I tailor my response as such.
I was thinking about last night.
When you were in my bed.
I send the messages back-to-back.
Madison responds quickly. I’ve been thinking about that too. But then one of the dogs started barking, and I got distracted.
I smile at the thought of her daydreaming about us. I’m just leaving the hospital now. I’ll come to help you with the dogs in a little bit.
I love the idea of bundling up and taking the dogs for another walk with Madison. They might be strong and give my biceps a good workout, but I don’t mind. I just want to spend more time with Madison.
Even though she said we would just have sex, I want something more. I want a lot more.