Page 4 of Dirty Play

When she finally speaks, her voice is so soft I nearly miss it.

“You’re wrong, Cade, so wrong. We miss you. Please… please, just think about coming home. That’s all I ask. Please, just think about it.”

My usual excuses are on the tip of my tongue, but something holds me back. I didn’t expect her to sound so… broken. I didn’t expect her to sound so upset just because she misses me. It’s enough that I can’t just tell her no.

“Fine, Ky. But don’t get your hopes up, chances are my answer will still be no.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Bye, Kylie.”

“Bye, Cade. I love you,” she says before hanging up.

I lean back, letting my head hit the seat in defeat.

I love you, too, little sis.

Chapter 2

Gwen

Walking the streets of New York feels nostalgic in a way I can’t quite put into words. It reminds me of what I always imagined my experiences would be like.

I didn’t grow up with a family who went on walks through the city or out for breakfast just to enjoy a nice day together. No. My parents were either working at the hospital or tucked away in their offices. Even at dinner time, they usually cut it short, opting to bring their plates into their offices to continue working.

Being an only child meant I spent a lot of time by myself, or with a nanny who was preoccupied trying to make my parents' lives easier. So, I started to study… a lot. My parents were thrilled. They loved that I was taking an interest in the medical field, although they weren’t exactly happy with my choice to become a nurse. I’m pretty sure it was intentional, though, like I wouldn’t let myself follow in their footsteps.

Now, I’m twenty-six and working as a PICU nurse in one of the best hospitals for kids on the east coast. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. However, my father loves to remind me he finished school a year faster and became an actual doctor in that same amount of time, or whatever bullshit he wants to compete about that day. I started back to school about a year ago and finished one quarter before I said ‘fuck it’ and dropped out.

I’m not going to throw away my dreams to follow his.

Even though walks and breakfast weren’t a part of my childhood experience, I watched enough movies to daydream. I would imagine walking around with a coffee or hot chocolate in one hand and a bagel in the other, window shopping, and enjoying the city with people I love.

Just like I’m doing with Sawyer today.

Although I definitely should’ve grabbed two coffees because I need all the caffeine—every last drop. I worked at the hospital last night and then headed to the lab when I got off this morning to schedule an appointment… Needless to say, I’m exhausted.

I know working in the PICU is exactly where I’m supposed to be; I can feel it—deep down in my bones, I know this is it. That doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, a lot of my days can be pretty rough, and last night definitely falls in the ‘rough’ category.

It’s never easy when a patient’s health is worsening, especially one who’s been in your care on and off for years. Training tells us to make sure we don’t get too close to our patients, so we can remain detached. It’s damn near impossible, though, especially when our patients are kids.

“What do you think about getting Ellie a new purse?” Sawyer asks as we walk past the Coach store.

“Honestly, I’m sure she has enough of those. Besides, I definitely wouldn’t know what to pick out for her. Bags are a very personal purchase, the pockets have to be just right for what you need or the whole bag is trash,” I point out, before taking another bite of my bagel. “I think we should do something fun for her, something she wouldn’t normally do. Like an experience or something.”

“That’s a good idea. Rory has been asking to have Addy over, so that would be the perfect time to let the girls hang out,” Sawyer says, biting her lip, deep in thought. “What if we get her a spa day? Like, get her the whole shebang. A full day of relaxation and pampering where the only thing she’ll have to think about is what scent of essential oils she wants diffused in the room. I mean, we know Trevor takes care of her, but before he came along, it was just her.”

“That would be perfect. Isn’t there a new spa just around the corner?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I walked by there on the way home when they were having their grand opening a few weeks ago,” Sawyer says with a smile, her eyes now on a jacket in the window of some tiny boutique—the girl loves to shop.

“Let’s head that way. I have an appointment at the hospital later, before the party tonight, but we should go grab lunch first,” I tell her.

“You got it. I want to hear all about that date you canceled last week, so lunch is a must.”

Too bad I have to go into work tonight, even if it is just the lab. I almost need a drink to even want to talk about that almost date.

Nachos and a dive bar are definitely what the doctor ordered… or in my case, the nurse. After we got the spa gift certificate for Ellie, it started to rain out of nowhere. Not just a drizzle either—a full-on downpour. After running down the street in our heeled boots, we are both soaked to the bone and tired, opting for coffee to warm us up.

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