CHAPTER 5 FRIENDS #3
He had the whole silent and brooding type down to a T.
I felt my cheeks blush as I continued to stare at him.
He was an extremely attractive man, and I’m sure he knew it too. How could he not?
“Anyway, I’ve got to get back to work.” I scooted around him, headed toward the nursing station. I felt him follow behind. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“Yes.” He didn’t say anything else, just continued to follow me.
As we arrived at the station, I noticed Zeke’s ginger head and Dr. Bowie. In comparison to the two hockey players, Bowie looked like a dwarf. He wore a scowl on his face as he looked between the two athletes. Bowie took his job seriously and from what I knew of Zeke, he was a constant jokester.
“You must be the other one.” Bowie sounded so disinterested in the players. “Not to rush you all, but I do need to round with my patients.” Clearly, he was grumpy. I couldn’t really blame him. The ICU was too busy for nonsense, especially neuro.
“Understandable, Dr. Bowie.” TJ nodded. “Any patient rooms we shouldn’t go in? We’ve got autographed items for everyone, and the nurses can take those into any rooms you want us to avoid.” It was weird to hear him talk so much.
“Rooms 425, 431, and 437 are all vented patients.
They aren’t responsive at this time due to heavy sedation. Room 443 is on isolation precautions. The other eleven patients you can go see.” Bowie turned to me. “Do you need something, Aife?”
I handed him some papers. “A signature on this out of hospital DNR. Dr. Bravo refused to sign it.”
He sighed. “I hate the weeks he works.” Normally,
he usually didn’t express himself like that, but he quickly signed where I pointed to. “Anything else?”
“Yes, there’s a peer-to-peer for 427 at 1400 today.
You asked me to remind you.”
“Right. Send me a text at about 1:50?”
“Sure thing, Dr. Bowie.”
He turned to the hockey players. “Why are you two still here? Go see my patients. Start in the front. I’ll round backwards.”
TJ glared at Bowie as he left. “Is he always that rude to you?”
“Doctors are just like that. Honestly, that is a normal interaction for us.” I collected my clipboard and started to walk away. My stomach was demanding food at this point.
“Aife, wait.” His large hand came down on my shoulder. “Here, I want you to take this.” TJ handed me a slip of paper and then headed off with Zeke to visit my patients.
Quickly, I looked down to see his number.
He gave me his number? My mouth felt a little dry.
The man looked like a God, and he wanted me to have his number?
It was a little insane. My experience with men wasn’t great.
Not because of them. No, my faults with men were all my own doing.
Somehow, I had piqued TJ Walker’s interest though.
A relationship was not on the table, at all.
However, I wasn’t opposed to a friendship.
Nervously, I chewed on my lip as I waited for Nat and Dre to answer.
Our nightly Facetime had rather quickly turned into a hyper fixation on my interaction with Walker.
Dre’s face was red, words very clearly forming in her mind.
Nat was quiet, staring off into space. I was just nervous. They were rarely silent.
“You should call Davis. TJ is one of his best friends.” Nat folded her hands and placed her chin on top of them. “Aife, do you even want a relationship right now?”
“Not right now.” I pushed hair out of my face. “I’m not in a place mentally or professionally to give myself to a relationship. I’m open to friendship.”
Dre spoke up. “You think that’s all he’d want?”
“It’s all I’m willing to offer.”
“Nat’s right. Talk to Davis. Call or text us later,
pretty lady.” Dre smiled at me.
Hanging up the phone, I chewed on my lips some more. Davis had made it quite clear that TJ was someone to avoid. His reaction scared me. Davis knew my history, and he wouldn’t tell me to avoid someone without a justified reason. I didn’t want to harm our friendship. Davis was important to me.
“Aife, what’s happening?” Davis sounded surprisingly perky. “I’m surprised you aren’t chatting with the girls right now.”
“I actually got off the phone a little while ago.”
“You alright?” Concern laced his voice. “You sound upset.”
“Um, actually, I have to tell you something.” I gulped. “TJ gave me his number.”
“When did you even see TJ?” His voice was calm,
which could be good or bad. He already had his teacher voice down pat.
“Him and Zeke were visiting patients on my floor today. They also visited a few other floors.”
“Aife…” Davis trailed off, probably considering his next few words carefully. “Look, I’m not your parent, so you can text whomever you’d like. Just promise me you won’t date him or at least won’t do it behind my back.”
“I’m not that type of woman, Davis. You should know that. Plus, all I’m currently willing to offer is friendship.”
“Well, he could certainly use more of those.” He laughed. “Thanks for letting me know, Aife. Go text him before he blows a gasket. I’m sure he’s been not so patiently waiting.”
So, I did exactly that.
Me: Is this the one and only TJ Walker? TJ: Depends on who’s asking.
Me: A tiny social worker.
TJ: That’s your job, Aife?
Me: Yeah. I mean, we can’t all be pro athletes. TJ: Just surprised, I guess.
Me: Why?
TJ: Not sure. Thanks for texting me.
Me: Why’d you give me your number? TJ: Also not sure.
He was a cryptic man, that was for sure.
Why was he interested in me? There wasn’t anything really special about me.
He was a professional athlete with millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, I was a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a plethora of health issues.
Fuck, I shouldn’t have thought about my medical troubles.
Clearly, I was an idiot though. My medical issues were a big reason I didn’t want to be in a relationship.
I didn’t want to be a burden; I couldn’t be. Not again.
TJ: Can I take you to lunch on Saturday? TJ: As friends TJ: Davis has already cussed me out.
Me: When and where?
TJ: Burrito Bell’s, 11AM Me: Sounds good.
Sighing, I tossed my phone to the side and tried to ignore the stinging in my eyes.
Was I ready to open myself up to another friendship? Could I handle this? Resiliency was the word that defined my life. I could do this. He didn’t have to know anything, not until I was sure of him.