Page 30 of Rage

Good.

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Meadow

Later That Night

My pager buzzes, jolting me from a rare moment of peace.I glance at the screen and groan.Emergency C-section.Guess I’m not getting out on time.

I sprint down the hallway, dodging gurneys and harried nurses.The familiar scent of antiseptic fills my nostrils as I burst into the OR.Organized chaos greets me—monitors beeping, nurses prepping instruments, the patient’s labored breathing.

“What’ve we got?”I demand, snapping on gloves.

“Placental abruption,” the resident replies, voice tight with tension.“Baby’s heart rate is dropping fast.”

Adrenaline surges through me.No time to waste.I lock eyes with the terrified mother.“We’re going to take good care of you and your baby,” I promise.“Just hold on.”

The next hour is a blur of controlled intensity.Scalpel slicing, blood pooling, the metallic tang filling the air.My world narrows to this moment, this life in my hands.

Finally, a cry pierces the air.Relief floods through me as I lift the squirming newborn.“It’s a girl,” I announce, grinning behind my mask.

As I hand the baby to the pediatric team, my pager buzzes again.Another emergency.I sigh, stripping off my bloody gown.So much for dinner with Mason.

I grab my phone, fingers flying over the keys.

Emergency came up.Pulling a 24hr shift.Rain check?

His reply is instant.That’s fine, darlin’.

A smile tugs at my lips despite my exhaustion.For the first time in a week, I’ll sleep alone.The thought leaves an unexpected ache in my chest.

Mason: What time do you get dinner?

Me: I’m not sure.

Mason: Let me know when and I will bring you some food.

I smile at his thoughtfulness and slide my phone into my locker, making sure to lock it since Dr.Thompson is here.She is a bitch and it seems like her mood is worse than ever today.

I can feel her eyes on me at times, but I pretend she doesn’t exist, and move out of the locker room before she can unleash her bitchiness on me.

Hours pass in a blur of patients and procedures.By the time I finally get a break, it’s well past midnight.My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since breakfast.

I slump into a chair in the break room, rubbing my eyes tiredly.Just as I’m debating whether I have the energy to trek to the vending machines, my phone buzzes with a text from Mason.

Still awake, darlin’?I’m outside with food if you can sneak away for a few.

My heart leaps at the message.I glance at the clock—I have about twenty minutes before my next scheduled patient.

Be right there, I text back, already heading for the elevators.

The cool night air hits me as I step outside, instantly reviving me a bit.I spot Mason leaning against his bike, a takeout bag in hand.Even exhausted and disheveled, the sight of him takes my breath away.

“Hey you,” I say softly as I approach.

Mason’s eyes light up, a smile spreading across his face.“There’s my girl,” he murmurs, pulling me into a tight hug.

I melt into his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent of leather and spice.For a moment, I let myself forget about the chaos inside, about the lives depending on me.I’m just a woman in the arms of the man she’s falling for.

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