Page 21 of Dr. Intern

He doesn’t continue his threat because I know he’s just trying to be an asshole. He doesn’t actually mean anything by it. Walker would be a hell of a lot more terrifying if I didn’t know he had a soft spot for me. Most people see him and are instantly intimidated because of his full sleeve of tattoos and tall stature, but I just see a big ol’ teddy bear.

Walker whips his head toward the other interns. “Y’all need to know your patients backwards and forwards. If I ask you a question, I expect you to know the details of the case without looking it up. We go over this every day.”

He pauses, as if expecting us to echo his criticism. “Can anyone else tell me why ordering twenty-four hours of azithromycin is problematic?”

The only girl in our small intern group, Sam, answers, “Azithro is only effective if it’s given for forty-eight hours or longer.”

I shoot her a glare, but she just shrugs. It’s not her fault I’m a dumbass who can’t remember basic pharmacologic principles.

“Bingo,” Walker replies. “Buffington has essentially ordered a cocktail that’s not even going to get our patient tipsy.”

“What’s the fun in that?” my friend Matt jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

Unfazed by our antics, Walker clenches his jaw. “Higgins, you’re with Dr. Hunter today in the clinic.”

I fist bump Matt discreetly under the table because the clinic is the most chill assignment for us, and while I love operating, sometimes we need a break.

He’s a lucky bastard.

Matt gives me a ridiculous grin while Walker doles out the other assignments. God help me, if I’m on trauma today, I’m going to lose my mind. It’s the busiest service, and I already had a shitty night.

“Buffington—you’ve been requested by Dr. Winters in general today. Get your ass out of here.”

Walker’s expression is blank, but he’s definitely unamused by the choice for my cases today. He probably thinks that because Parker and I are close, I’m getting special treatment. If Walker had his way, I would be on the shittiest service as punishment for my tomfoolery this morning.

I hop up, working hard to stifle my grin. It’s been about a month since I’ve seen Parker, and our only communication has been shit-talking each other in our chess app, so I’ve been wondering how everything’s been going since the funeral.

As we funnel out of the tiny on call room, Matt elbows me in the ribs. He’s a lot smaller than me, both in stature and build, but he’s hilarious and always keeps the mood light on days when we’re running on empty.

“I think you’re Walker’s favorite, man,” he jokes.

“Well, he certainly can’t pick on you every day. It would be too easy, little guy.”

Matt rolls his eyes, following me down the hallway past a group of pre-op nurses who are chatting as they wait for their patients to trickle in. One of them, a short blonde with her hair in a braid, jumps up when she sees us coming and walks in stride next to me.

“How are things going this morning guys?” she asks, batting her eyelashes and ignoring Matt completely.

I glance down at her. I’m pretty sure I’ve hooked up with her before, but I’m so fucking tired I can’t think straight.

“Better now that I saw you,” I reply, enjoying the way her cheeks redden with my words.

Sometimes I can’t help myself. Flirty banter just flows out of my mouth.

Sue me.

“So listen,” she starts, practically jogging to keep up with our pace down the hallway. “I was thinking we could continue what we started in the call room at my place this weekend.”

Ah, so we did hookup. Makes sense considering she’s my type to a tee.

Well, she was my type, until I met my best friend’s sister.

I can hear Matt’s chuckle next to me and I discreetly pinch his arm. “I’m on call most of the weekend,” I admit, not wanting to make promises. “But shoot me a page with your info, and I’ll figure something out.”

Her face lights up with excitement as she nods and turns back to her friends.

It’s about damn time I hop back on the horse. I haven’t gone this long busting a nut since I was a teenager, and sex is the only thing in my life that I don’t completely suck at right now.

Matt breaks the silence as we reach the elevator. “It’s gotta be tough being you.”

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