CHAPTERFOURTEEN
JORDAN
“Jesus, that was a long one.” Lucas blows out a tired breath as he pulls off his scrub cap and pushes through the wide double doors leading back from the operating rooms to the surgical floor.
I mumble something that vaguely resembles agreement and follow him to the locker room. We just finished a ten-hour surgery on a car accident victim where we almost lost the patient three times and came awfully close to having to remove a vital organ to keep him alive. It’s the kind of surgery that used to get my blood pumping and leave me filled with energy. Instead, I find myself vaguely dissatisfied, wishing that the patient hadn’t been a full-grown adult. I’ve been wishing that a lot lately.
Walking into the locker room, I head straight for my locker and pull it open, grabbing my phone from the shelf and clicking it on. I can feel my smile spread as I see a string of texts from Jo.
Jo
You. Me. Breakfast. Eight a.m.
Not the diner though. I made us other plans. I know you’re probably tired after working all night, so our plans are of the lazy, sitting and eating variety, but I think we need a change of scenery.
I also know you won’t get these until you’re out of whatever surgery you’ve got going on, so just meet me out front when you’re done. I’ll be waiting.
I glance at the time and see that it’s already almost eight, and I get a quick jolt of panic at the thought of Jo waiting out front for me.
Me
Just got out of surgery. Are you here?
Jo
Yep, just got here. Don’t rush.
Me
Are you waiting inside?
Jo
Definitely not. It’s a gorgeous day. Why would anyone want to be inside?
“Fuck,” I mutter, my stomach clenching, one of my hands gripping the door of my locker so tight my knuckles turn white.
“Everything okay, Jordan?” I turn, and Lucas is looking at me with concern.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I tell him, even though I am the farthest thing from good right now. He studies me for a few seconds and shrugs, turning back to his locker. I look back down at my phone.
Me
Can you come inside and wait for me in the lobby?
Jo
The people-watching is better outside.
Me
Please, Hurricane. Just come inside for me. I need you to. I’ll explain later.
The absolute last thing I want to do is explain this, but I also won’t be able to relax until I know she’s inside.
Jo
Okay, okay, if it’s that important to you, I’ll go inside.
