Cameron
I’ve been doing this job long enough to know when a shift is going to be hell. Today is one of those days.
But if there’s one thing that makes the day bearable—actually, every day at this point—it’s hearing from Gabrielle.
And as if on cue, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
My Future Wife: I hope you’re not letting Wes do all the work today.
I smirk, firing back a response while waiting for an attending to sign off on an order.
Cam: Wes doesn’t do any work. He’s just here for comedic relief.
My Future Wife: Sounds about right.
Another buzz.
My Future wife: Miss me yet?
I run my tongue over my teeth, grinning.
Cam: Not sure I should answer that honestly while I’m at work.
Her response is instant.
My Future Wife: So that’s a yes…
I smile, shoving my phone back into my pocket, and walk to the lounge before I get too distracted. Because the truth is…I miss her every second I’m not with her. I don’t know if it’s healthy to need someone like this, to want them this much.
Even after all the years that have passed, it feels insane to still feel this way. Having her like this, knowing she’s mine again, knowing I can call her whenever I want, and that she’s always going to answer, it’s an untouchable feeling.
She’s my best friend. Always has been.
Sorry Wes.
But this is deeper than any physical attraction.
I’ve never stopped loving her. I think even she knows that.
I hope that she knows that, even though neither of us has said those words again yet.
Saying those three words out loud? That’s a whole different level of vulnerability.
It’s admitting out loud that there’s no backing out.
I know she feels it, but one of us has to be the first to say it.
I’m still lost in that thought when Wes drops down onto the bench beside me in the lounge, dramatically sighing.
“You ever notice how our shifts feel ten years longer when we have to actually do work?” he complains.
I grunt, taking another swig of water. “Shut up, you literally just had a break an hour ago.”
“Yeah, a break where you spent most of the time talking to Gabrielle with that annoying love-sick expression on your face and not paying me any attention,”
I roll my eyes, stretching my arms behind my head. “Why are you paying that much attention to my face, Wes?”
“Because it’s all in my face and I feel neglected,” he says, crossing his arms. “But, how are you and Vida The Vet doing anyway?”
I raise a brow. “Vida the what?”
“That little redhead girl with the big tiger and hippo on TV.” He waves a hand. “You know what I’m talking about. Anyway, what’s the update? Have you stopped being a chicken and consummated the relationship yet?”
I actually snort. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. I don’t watch children’s TV shows in my spare time. As a matter of fact, why are you?” I shake my head, laughing at how ridiculous this grown man is sometimes. “Also, I don’t kiss and tell.”
Wes looks fully offended now. “Oh, don’t make me sound like a weirdo.
The kids always have that show on in the waiting room, and sometimes I get pulled into the plot.
And really? I have to watch you two shove your tongues down each other’s throats every chance you get lately.
As hot as it is to watch, the whole kissing and telling thing is out of the equation at this point. ”
I shake my head, “You’re…really strange, you know that?”
Before he can fire back, my phone rings.
I glance at the screen. It’s my doctor’s office.
I pick up, answering casually. “This is Cameron.”
“Hey, Dr. Hayes, just calling with the test results from your check-up last week.”
I lean forward, pressing my elbows to my knees. “Yeah?”
“All your scans were clear, and your labs look good. Nothing concerning that we see.”
I exhale, letting the tension in my chest ease. “That’s good to hear.”
The doctor gives me the usual spiel—keep up with my regular check-ups, call if anything changes, etc, etc. By the time I hang up, Wes is watching me closely.
“Well?” he asks.
I nod. “All clear.”
A grin spreads across his face. “Good.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing. “‘Cause you’re not allowed to leave me. You’re my only best friend. I think I’d actually shed a tear if you weren’t around.”
I snort. “A singular tear, huh? I thought what we had meant more to you.”
Wes leans back, stretching out his legs. “Yeah—you’re pretty alright, I guess. But hey, I hear you’re going to that fancy work event with Gabrielle.”
I nod. “Yeah, her clinic is having an event—wait, how do you know that?”
Wes grins. “Kinsley texted me telling me I was going with her.”
I laugh. “Telling you, huh?”
“Yep.” He nods. “I love how bossy she is.”
I tilt my head. “Careful, Westly. That almost sounds like a crush.”
He scoffs. “Please. You know I don’t do those.”
I raise a brow. “I haven’t seen you flirt with a single nurse, doctor, or patient’s mom since you met Kins.”
Wes pauses for half a second, like he’s just realizing that that’s true. Then he waves a hand dismissively. “Shut up.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Guess I’m not the only one with the love bug. Heard it’s a pretty serious condition.”
Wes flips me off before getting to his feet and deadpanning at me. “Yeah, no. The only disease I have is Chronic Commitment Intolerance. Symptoms include excessive flirting, fear of heartfelt conversations, and an allergic reaction to good morning texts.”
I snort. “Sounds serious. Is there a cure?”
He smirks. “Nope. Just a lifetime prescription of casual encounters and emotionally unavailable women.”
I shake my head, laughing. “You’re a lost cause.”
“Yeah, well, let me know when your diagnosis comes back saying you have the Terminal Whipped Disorder. Cause all your symptoms match up.”
Wes pauses for a minute, checking the time on his watch, and then says, “Let’s get back to work before someone yells at us.”
I pull my phone back out, shooting a text to Gabrielle.
Cam: Just got off the phone with my doctor. Everything came back normal.
She texts back instantly—
My Future Wife: Good! About damn time you got some peace of mind.
Cam: Speaking of peace of mind…I’ll be working late tonight. But I’d love it if you were waiting for me in my bed when I got home.
A few seconds later—
My Future Wife: Wow. This must be getting pretty serious if I’m getting access to your place already.
I smirk, my fingers typing back fast.
Cam: You already have access to every part of me. I think you can have access to my place too.
Her response comes through almost immediately.
My Future Wife: That’s probably the smoothest thing you’ve ever said to me, Dr. Hayes.
Cam: I’ll take that as a yes, then?
My Future Wife: Of course.
Cam: See you tonight.
I set my phone down, placing my fingers on my temples and rubbing them. I grab another bottle, trying to drink some more water, but my head is still pounding from the headache I’ve had all day.
I really need to get that whole work-life balance in check and let my body rest more.