Chapter 9
9
“ V itals have been up and down all night, but his sats are stable enough with the nasal cannula. His hemoglobin and hematocrit have been holding, but output from his chest tube picked up a little in the last hour, so you might want to mention it to the trauma team this morning during rounds,” Alison tells me as I take report from her. “He’s been in a decent amount of pain with the rib, clavicle, and arm fractures p>
“Poor kiddo p>
“For real. This is why whenever I have children, I’ll never let them climb trees p>
“They’re holding off on surgery?” I ask.
“For now. His CT didn’t show any bleeding p>
“Works for me.” I put my pen in my pocket, fold up my piece of paper, and slip it in beside it.
“Hey, I heard you know the new hot attending p>
Here we go. It’s as if a celebrity walked into the hospital, and now I’m part of it. I was shocked when Aston said he never told anyone that I’m off-limits. Michaela told me she had heard a few of the male residents and a couple of nurses from the PACU team talking about how Aston told them that I’m his best friend’s little sister and no one is to touch me. I was furious. Rightfully so.
But maybe Michaela simply misheard, or that off-limits crap came from Josh. Who knows. Regardless, I heard two techs gossiping about Aston in the café off the lobby this morning as I was getting coffee. I’m seriously starting to wish he worked in a different hospital.
I didn’t stay long this morning after the bathroom incident. I said good morning to Zoey and wished her a good first day, but then I got my cute ass out the door.
Aston wasn’t dressed for work. He was wearing running clothes, including a shirt that clung to his chest, arms, and abs, showing off every detail of the muscle the man is made of. For a moment, I was tempted to drop the towel until I remembered who he is and that I can’t stand him. Oh, and I’m focusing on me and not men.
“Uh-huh,” I say noncommittally.
“He’s gorgeous. Seriously freaking gorgeous. I helped bring over a patient from the PACU earlier, and he had just gotten there after running into work. What is it about a hot, sweaty guy?” She fans her face. “So, tell me, what’s he like? Is he as dreamy p>
I stand abruptly, cutting her off. “You probably want to get home. I’m sure it was a long shift p>
She giggles. “Or I’ll just wait until the new doctor comes in for rounds p>
“Unless Sky’s already claimed him,” Michaela unhelpfully provides, joining us and playing with a pen in her hands. “He’s a Hughes. Besides, didn’t you hear the gossip going around? He asked for her personally yesterday for a tour p>
I glare at her. “It wasn’t like that p>
“No?” Michaela questions, smirking mischievously at me.
“No,” I reply adamantly, a little miffed that she’s teasing me like this, especially in front of other people. “He’s my brother’s best friend. That’s all p>
Alison tilts her head at me until recognition dawns on her face. “Oh. Right. Wow. For some reason I always forget you’re a Fritz. Maybe it’s because your last name is different.” Her eyes go wide with interest. “So, if you’re not dating him, is he single? Give me all the details p>
I sigh. “I’m not involved in his personal life enough to know anything p>
“You won’t mind if I make a pass at him p>
“Or any of us single women.” Michaela laughs, shoving the pen in her chest pocket and adjusting her stethoscope. “Because damn, he’s hot. Skylar shouldn’t get all the hot men around here p>
Something sticky and weird churns in my stomach. The milk in my coffee from the café must have gone bad. “Go for it,” I tell them, scratching at a sudden itchy spot on the back of my neck. “He’s all yours. Josh too, for that matter. I want nothing to do with trauma surgeons p>
“Talking about me already?” comes a voice from behind me, and I close my eyes. There really is no escaping this man. As much as I like Zoey, I need to find my own place stat.
I turn and find Aston in full surgeon mode with a cup of coffee in his hand, blue scrubs on with his long-sleeved shirt pushed up to the elbows, revealing strong, tan forearms. His blond hair is a little damp from a shower, and his jawline, which really should be illegal for how chiseled it is, is smooth. Then there’s the smug look in his blue eyes.
“Hi,” Alison says with a breathy rasp. “We didn’t get a chance to meet this morning. I’m Alison p>
“Hi Alison. I’m Aston.” He shakes her hand, and I think Alison is going to pass out. “Nice to meet you.” He nods at Michaela. “Good morning, Michaela p>
“Good morning, Doctor.” Her face is as red as her hair, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Michaela blush for anyone.
“Are you ready for rounds?” He asks me like I’m a child and don’t know how to do my job.
“Yes.” That’s all I say.
“Excellent. Because, as luck would have it, I believe my first patient here is yours.” He doesn’t seem happy about that, and neither am I.
“He was my patient overnight. I’m happy to stay and talk you through him,” Alison offers, inching closer only to have Michaela do the same on the other side of him, and seriously, ladies? Way to play it cool.
“That’s kind of you, but I’m sure Skylar can likely manage it p>
Ass.
“Come with me, Doctor.” I turn on my heels and head toward my patient’s room. In a half-beat, he’s beside me, one of his strides equaling two of mine. “You know this is a professional environment, and being a condescending dick doesn’t go over well with the nurses p>
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Those nurses seemed to like me a lot. You’re the only one who can’t stand me p>
“That’s because your pretty face doesn’t earn you bonus points with me. I know who you are underneath p>
He chuckles. “So, I shouldn’t comment on the fact that you think I’m good-looking p>
“No. You shouldn’t. And I won’t comment on how you stared at my boobs this morning in only my towel. Regardless, maybe you should stop being a dick and telling me how to do things p>
“I didn’t tell you how to do things,” he defends as we reach the outside of the patient’s room. “I gave you a helpful suggestion. Like locking a bathroom door p>
“That’s not a suggestion. That’s being bossy p>
He makes a tsking noise and shakes his head. “Oh no, Little Swan. That’s survival p>
I peek into the patient’s room and find him awake despite the early hour. His parents are in there with him, postures tense with worry.
I turn back to Aston and peer up at him. “No more Little Swan or any swan for that matter. We’re at work p>
He nods solemnly. “You’re right. Professional only p>
“You’re early,” I tell him. “I haven’t even seen my patient yet or done my evaluation p>
“Yes, but the overnight trauma team said he’s a close watch, and I wasn’t thrilled with what I saw on his CT. I’m sure we can evaluate him together p>
“Fine. Alison mentioned how she didn’t like his chest tube output over the last hour or so and that he’s in a lot of pain p>
“Let’s go take a look.” He pans his hand for me to enter first. “Lead the way, Nurse Davenport p>
I resist the urge to flip him off again. Instead, we walk into the room together. “Good morning. I’m Skylar. I’ll be your nurse today. This is Dr. Aston Hughes. He’s the trauma surgeon in charge of your case p>
The parents greet us and give us both a rundown of what happened. Parker is a tough kid but is clearly hurting and scared. Both Aston and I go through our exams and questions.
“I’m thinking I’m going to take you into the OR this morning, Parker,” Aston announces as he places his stethoscope back around his neck.
“Is that really necessary?” his mother asks. “The doctor who admitted us said they’d just observe him p>
“Yes, but his chest tube is putting out more blood and fluid than I’m comfortable with, and his oxygen saturation level is a bit lower than I’d like. I want to take a look and make sure we’re not missing anything. We need to keep his lungs clear to prevent infection and help with healing p>
Her husband puts his arm around her and pulls her into his side, but he gives Aston a firm nod.
“Hey, Parker,” Aston says, walking over to him and taking a seat on the side of the ICU bed. “Have you ever been inside an OR before p>
Parker shakes his head.
“They’re pretty cool, but if you don’t know what to expect, they’re a little scary. I’ll have the nurse show you everything before they put you to sleep. You won’t feel a thing. I promise. When you wake up, you’ll be pretty tired, and we can give you medicine to help with your pain. But I’m hoping I can also do something about that when I’m operating. Sound good p>
“Yes,” he says softly.
“Good stuff. You’re a brave guy. I can see that already.” He turns back to the parents.
“I’ll have anesthesia come in and speak with you, and we’ll get consents, but I’d like to get him in the OR sooner rather than later.” He stands and nods to me for us to step out.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” I tell them.
We step out into the hall, and Aston logs into my computer to start inputting orders and get the OR going.
“Are you going to freeze his nerves to help with his pain?” I ask as I stare over his shoulder and take note of what he’s doing.
“If I can, that’s my plan. I have a feeling one of those broken ribs is poking something it shouldn’t be. He’s bleeding from somewhere p>
“I agree. He doesn’t look right to me. How did Zoey do getting off this morning p>
“Good,” he replies, typing away. “She was excited, which helps. We’ll see if she liked it tonight p>
“People are gossiping about us,” I whisper, keeping my voice low so it doesn’t carry.
He throws me a side-eye. “I know. I heard a bit of it this morning, and someone already asked me how I know you. It seems like the gossip is mixed and a bit jumbled. It wasn’t from me. I swear p>
“I believe you. I just don’t like it.” It was probably Josh talking shit. Had to be. “But with that, we really need to keep our professional distance p>
He nods as he logs out and faces me. “I agree. The last thing I want is someone thinking we’re together and having you ruin my chances with all the nurses p>
I roll my eyes at him, and his lips bounce up into a teasing smile.
“Anything specific you want from me?” I ask, getting back to work. “He already has a large bore IV and has been typed and crossed p>
“Keep the parents from freaking him out too much.” He cants his head. “You could come watch me in action p>
My eyebrows bounce. “I beg your pardon p>
“In the OR p>
“Why would I want to do that p>
“You might like me more if you saw what I can do with my hands. I’m very talented, and I know you’ve been missing that action in your life p>
My jaw drops. “I can’t believe you said that. Didn’t we just say we were going to be professional p>
He smirks. “No one’s around. That was for your bullshit at dinner last night. Now we’re even and can both stop getting off on riling the other up p>
“But you already know I have trouble getting off p>
He grunts, and I laugh.
“Did I really rile you up?” I don’t know why I ask. It’s a dumb question. There is no good answer either way. That’s the old Skylar, who cared too much about the opinions of others, and because of that, I don’t allow him to answer. “Forget that.” The last thing I want is more gossip about me. I already had plenty after I broke up with Josh. I give him a shove so he’ll back up. He’s too close and smells incredible. “Take good care of my patient in surgery, Dr. Hughes p>
“I plan to, Nurse Davenport.” He takes another step back. “Incidentally, I’m taking your Josh into the OR with me. Anything I should know about him p>
Only that he’s not my Josh anymore, and you make me feel a million times more sexy and desirable than he did the entire time I was dating him, which is freaking sad and pathetic.
“Nope. But he’s a surgeon’s surgeon p>
“What does that mean p>
I snort a sardonic laugh. “He’s cocky and arrogant and thinks he’s God. Same as you do. I’m sure you’ll get along just fine p>
He stares into my eyes for a long, silent moment as if he’s attempting to read something within me. Finally, he blinks and, without another word, walks off.
“I doubt that,” he calls back to me, still facing ahead. “See you later, Skylar p>
Then he’s gone, and I wish he hadn’t answered. I wish he had left it where it was. I really need to cut out all toxic and unavailable men from my life. I’m not doing myself any favors by continuing whatever this is with Aston.
I head into the break room and slip my phone from my pocket to pull up my group chat with my friends.
Me: I can’t live with him. It’s official. You have no idea the morning I’ve had with him.
Forest: Aren’t you at work?
Me: Yes. That’s why I’m bitching about him. I work with him too, remember?
Braelyn: Did you murder him yet or just fantasize about it?
Roman: Murder is messy. Psychological warfare is cleaner.
Me: You’d know. Maybe I need you to teach me your ways, Obi-Wan.
Hayes: Or you could just TALK to the man. Revolutionary concept, I know.
Quinn: Riiiight. Spoken like a true man to blame the woman.
Hayes: Fine. Fair. But that’s not how I meant it. Explain what’s going on, and we’ll advise.
I hesitate, trying to summarize the complicated reality of living with Aston and Zoey without revealing too much of my conflicted feelings. Or my history with Aston and the kiss.
Me: He opened the door on me this morning after my shower, thinking I was Zoey. Then we fought, sorta, and now we’re still at each other at work. It’s not good, and it’s certainly not healthy.
Braelyn: At each other sounds promising…
Me: Not like that. Professionally at each other.
Sorta. Not really.
Me: He’s trauma surgery and I’m ICU. There is no avoiding him. He’s a good father and, I’m sure, an excellent surgeon, but he’s stubborn, opinionated, and often infuriating.
Roman: So, he’s the male version of you. No wonder you clash.
Quinn: Or maybe that’s why there’s tension. *Looking emoji*
Me: NOT HELPING.
Crew: Have you called that realtor I recommended? He’s great and found me my place in two weeks.
Me: Not yet. I haven’t had time.
Quinn: Call him. For your sanity. Living with a single dad who is your brother’s BFF whom you have tension with is a recipe for bad decisions.
Hayes: Like that time Braelyn hooked up with her professor.
Braelyn: WE AGREED NEVER TO SPEAK OF THAT.
I laugh out loud, grateful for friends who know exactly how to lighten my mood.
Me: Fine. I’ll call the realtor after my shift. Happy?
Forest: It’s not for us, babe, it’s for you.
He’s right, of course. It’s for me that I need to do this. The sooner I get away from Aston, the better.