7. Aries
Aries
I knew Skylar was surprised by the fact that I gave in to her request to do nothing.
While I wanted to continue to disagree with her, I needed space from her alluring scent.
She was driving me crazy, and not just with the way she believed she knew everything.
Of course, that drove me completely insane, but it was the way I wanted to know if her skin felt as smooth as it looked, or if I nuzzled in her neck would the fragrance of her be even stronger, and I wanted to know what she tasted like right on that spot where her ear and neck connected.
Would nibbling that the skin there make her shiver?
Was she the type to be sensitive to touch?
Yup… that was why the fuck I had to get out of there.
Where the fuck was my scalpel!
I needed to focus on something that required precision, something that would clear my head of all thoughts of Skylar Wise and her intoxicating presence. Surgery was my sanctuary, the one place where everything made sense and I had complete control.
I changed into my scrubs and headed to the ER, hoping to catch an incoming trauma.
When I got down the the emergency room, I felt like a surgical intern, prepared to fight my way into any trauma room that looked like there were broken bones.
It was pathetic, I know, but the familiar ritual of scrubbing in, the sterile environment, and the weight of the scalpel in my hand was calling my name.
If I didn’t add a surgery to my schedule, I knew the rest of my day would consist of nothing but Skylar Wise, and that wasn’t good.
If I didn’t find anything to distract me, I would probably find my ass somewhere near her office, just trying to get another glimpse of her.
Hell, just to have her scent brush against my nostrils would fulfill this confusing need within me.
Yeah, I couldn’t be this twisted up over a woman. That was’t my style. I had to put that out of my mind. A surgery would definitely do that. Cutting would center me.
Only, the ER was dry as fuck.
“Dr. Aries. What are you doing down here in the slums?” Dr. Sanders asked.
He was a Black doctor, who was about five years younger than me.
He hadn’t learned not to be an ass kisser yet, so I made sure to keep him at an arm’s length.
I tried mentoring him when he first started at the hospital, but after realizing that he desperately needed the approval of others to feel worthy, I had to accept the fact that Dr. Sanders and I were not on the same level.
He was still young, though. I held out hope that he would understand one day that he only needed to be good for himself.
“Surgeries were rescheduled for the day, but my schedule cleared earlier than expected. Was hoping I could get in on some traumas.”
“We’d love for you to hang around. There hasn’t been anything exciting come in yet today, but we have many patients who are still waiting to be treated. What do you say? You want to brush up on some of those surgical intern skills?”
Fuck it! I’m bored as hell.
“Sure. Give me a few charts,” I replied.
I spent the next few hours working through the ER, seeing patients with everything from fractured wrists to minor lacerations. It wasn't the complex orthopedic work I specialized in, but it kept my hands busy and my mind occupied. For a while, at least.
"Dr. Yerba, we've got an incoming trauma," a nurse called out. "Motorcycle versus car. ETA three minutes."
Finally. Something substantial. I made my way to the trauma bay and started prepping. When the paramedics wheeled in the patient, I immediately assessed the damage. Male, mid-twenties, with an obvious open fracture of the left femur and what looked like multiple rib fractures.
"Let's get X-rays stat and prep an O.R.," I ordered, falling into the familiar rhythm of trauma management. This was where I belonged, not in some stuffy conference room being lectured by a beautiful attorney with legs for days and a mind sharper than my scalpel.
"Patient's BP is dropping," the nurse announced, pulling me fully into the moment.
"Push fluids and get two units of O-neg on standby," I instructed, focusing on the task at hand.
For the next several hours, I was in my element.
The patient had multiple fractures requiring surgical intervention, and I worked methodically to repair the damage.
The next few hours were a blur of activity, and I moved on autopilot setting the femur, stabilizing the rib fractures, ensuring there was no internal bleeding.
By the time I closed the final incision, I felt centered again.
The high of a successful surgery coursed through my veins, better than any drug.
My body also reminded me that I was getting older.
my shoulders ached and my neck was stiff, but I knew it was a feeling I wouldn’t change for the world.
Saving a life was beautiful. Of course, it didn’t always turn out like today had, but for now I got to inwardly celebrate as I headed to tell this young man’s loved ones that he would pull through.
"Nice work, Dr. Yerba," one of the nurses said as I was scrubbing out.
"Thanks," I replied, letting the hot water run over my hands. "The kid's lucky. Another inch and that femur would have severed his femoral artery."
"Well, he's got the best looking out for him now."
I smiled at the O.R. nurse. She was a cute, tall caramel woman. If I hadn’t already learned the lesson of fucking hospital employees, I would have invited her home to help with continuing my distraction. Instead, I got my libido under control, thanked her, and finished scrubbing.
When I finally made it back to my office, it was well past nine.
I collapsed into my chair, exhausted but satisfied.
This was what I needed—to be reminded of who I was and what I was good at.
I wasn't just some doctor being sued; I was Dr. Aries Yerba, the best orthopedic surgeon in all of Colorado, and one of the best in the country.
My phone dinged as I was coming down from my operating high, and I shook my head.
Marcus: Dinner tonight? Angela wants to get to know my family better.
There was no way that woman was on the same page as him. She was not falling in love with my brother after a few days of knowing him. However, my curiosity definitely got the best of me.
Me: Sure. I just got out of surgery. Give me thirty minutes to get out of these scrubs. Where are we meeting?
Marcus: The new Italian place on Fifth Street. Ricci's. We’re headed over there now. I’ll order your usual bourbon, neat.
Me: Thanks. See you in a few.
I quickly changed out of my scrubs and into my slacks from earlier and a button-up, then grabbed my keys, and headed out.
The restaurant was dimly lit with that intimate ambiance that screamed date night .
I spotted Marcus and Angela at a corner table, and my brother's face lit up when he saw me approaching.
Angela looked stunning in a black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, but what struck me was how comfortable they already seemed together.
Maybe Marcus wasn't completely delusional this time.
"There's my brother!" Marcus stood and pulled me into a one-armed bro hug. I hugged him back. Marcus was always the affectionate one of the two of us. It was probably due to him being the younger sibling, and parents doting on him, playing fully into that that’s my baby routine. It didn’t bother me.
Marcus always being up under our parents allowed me to have a longer leash.
I welcomed him being the center of attention.
“What’s up, Marcus?”
“Nothing much. You know… just chillin’ with my lady.”
I turned to Angela and greeted her. “Angela. It’s good to see you again.”
She stepped closer and hugged me as well. “It’s good to see you again as well, Aries.”
"Thank you for coming, Aries," Angela said. "Marcus has told me so much about you."
"All good things, I hope," I replied, sliding into the seat across from them.
"Mostly," she said with a wink that made me like her instantly. Anyone who could tease my brother had potential.
The bourbon Marcus had promised was waiting for me, and I took a long sip, letting the familiar burn coat my throat. The surgery had taken the edge off my earlier frustration, but being around my brother's new romance was reminding me of my own complicated feelings.
"So," I said, setting down my glass, "how did you two meet again? I mean, I know you were at the bar, but what's the full story?"
Angela laughed. "I caught this one trying to make a fancy cocktail behind my bar without permission."
"I was just trying to impress you,” Marcus told her, with hearts in his eyes.
“So, you didn’t know this lady, and you just walked behind her bar and started fucking with shit?” I asked, chuckling.
“Shut up!” Marcus chided.
We joked some more about Marcus’s lack of boundaries and mostly discussed superficial things.
Finally, when our dinner came to the table and we settled into our meal, consuming a few bites, I asked, “how long have you two been official now? Two days?"
Marcus shot me a warning look. "Don't start, Aries."
Angela laughed, surprising me. "It's okay. I know it seems fast. Marcus told me about his... dating history."
"Did he now?" I raised an eyebrow at my brother, who actually looked sheepish.
"I told her everything," Marcus said. "No secrets."
"Well, that's new," I muttered into my glass.
“Ayo, don’t be a dick,” Marcus said, with an edge of agitation in his tone.
“You’re right,” I told him. “I apologize to both of you. I’m not at my best this week. So much has happened, and it has definitely soured my mood.”
“No worries, I’m sure being a surgeon can be tough,” Angela remarked.
“Yeah, it surely is. It’s rewarding most of the time, however. I just have some legal things going on that I’m praying works out in my favor.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Angela told me.
She really did seem perfect. I turned to my brother and gave him a slight nod. Not that he needed my approval, but after sitting at dinner with them, I really did believe this energy between them was something real.
After we finished dinner, I declined dessert and decided to head out.
“Thanks for inviting me out. It was a nice way to end my day. Angela, you seem really nice, and my brother looks happier than ever. Call me if you ever need to get him in line,” I told her.
“Never that,” Marcus jumped in.
I ignored him. “Like I said, Angela, call me if you ever need help with this one. I got a headlock that will make him apologize.”
She laughed, and Marcus gave me the middle finger.
“I think I will be good, but I will keep that in mind. I know where to find you.”
“Good. You two have a good night.”
“We plan to,” Marcus added.
I turned my face up at my brother. I did not want to hear that shit.
"Bye, Aries! Thanks for coming out with us tonight," Angela called as I made my way out of the restaurant.
The cool night air hit my face as I stepped outside, and I took a deep breath. The evening had gone better than expected. Angela seemed genuine, and maybe—just maybe—Marcus had finally found someone worth keeping around.
I thought I felt a slight pang of jealousy move through me, but that couldn’t be right because it wasn’t like I saw myself settling down.
I didn’t want what my brother had. I definitely didn’t want to fall in love in 2.
5 business days. I’d be the one that shit backfired on.
One minute I’m in love; the next minute I’m losing half of my assets in a long drawn-out divorce. There was no way I could do that shit.
As I drove home, my phone buzzed with a text message. I glanced at it at a red light and saw it was from an unknown number.
Unknown Number: Hey, it's Skylar. Got your number from the hospital directory. Don’t worry… no unplanned meetings or canceling your surgical calendar. I just wanted you to have my number. Thought it would be easy to communicate outside of traditional office hours via cell.
My grip tightened on the steering wheel. I was just allowing thoughts of Skylar Wise to leave my mind. I was sure I was going to have at least one night of peace from that woman. Nope!
Me: Begrudgingly, I am saving your contact.
I replied before I stepped out of the car. Hopefully, this exchange would be quick, and I could go on with my night, trying to forget about her. Her response came back almost immediately, and I expected nothing less.
Pain In My Ass: Begrudgingly, I help you keep your medical license.
This woman! I thought. Her response was exactly why I saved her contact as I had.
Me: Many thanks… Can I go to sleep now?
Pain In My Ass: Hmm. I didn’t take you for a man who went to sleep at a reasonable time. You seem like the type who likes to frolic into the wee hours of the morning.
Me: I’m not even going to try and figure out what you mean by that. Good night, Skylar.