Page 23 of Stay with Me
“Nova, what are you doing here?” Drew had been having a moment with Brody. Well, at least he thought they were having a moment before Brody began to make excuses to leave. Fuck. He really wished that he’d gotten his head out of his ass since he’d known that Brody was at Brooke. He should’ve contacted him. Even if they didn’t click on a romantic level, Drew could always use a friend.
“What am I doing here? Are you fucking serious?” Nova shot back. “You end up in surgery from a wicked knife wound and you ask why I’m here? You should thank me. Julia was going to fly in except Tax Day is in less than a month. She’s buried under forms which you would know if you actually answered any of the group texts.”
Drew could feel his face getting hot. Yeah, he’d been avoiding the group texts for the past few months. He knew no matter whathe’d said in them that someone would figure out he was on the verge of depression.
“I’m sorry?” he offered. “I’ll try and do better. It’s been a little nuts at the unit with being down one platoon leader. I’m—”
“I call bullshit but we can take that up later. When are you getting out? We’re trying to juggle everyone’s schedules so someone can be with you twenty-four-seven,” Nova said as she sat on the edge of the bed gently. Drew looked at her closely and he could see the strain on her face. He reached his good arm out to her.
“What’s wrong, Nova? You look tired.” Drew thought back over the past few weeks of texts. He hadn’t really participated but he’d read them all. He didn’t remember there being anything major. Of course, right now his brain was mush from the morphine.
Nova shook her head and turned to the side to watch Brody rocking Nicole. “The little shit who I love with all my heart is cutting teeth. Only time she’s sleeping is when she’s being held. Keith and I have been trading off so neither of us is getting much sleep. Think I could hire Brody to come and spell us? Seems like he’s got the knack.”
Brody’s head snapped up so fast with his jaw dropping. Drew started laughing, then groaning when his ribs protested. “Um, I’m not sure I’m the right—” Brody sputtered before Nova cut him off.
“You’re a natural, Brody. Besides, how else are you going to pay me to fix the disaster that is your hair right now?” Nova pointed out. “I have no idea who you went to, but really? They should not have a license to do hair in Texas. Well, anywhere.”
Brody had the good graces to look ashamed as Nova laid into him. Even if Brody and Drew hadn’t connected again in SanAntonio, Brody could’ve visited with Drew’s family. Nova had especially adopted him at the pinning. “Um, I’ve got a pair of clippers and every week or so I run them over my head.”
Nova gasped and slapped her free hand over her heart. “Nice aim. Perfect kill shot. Are you kidding? Obviously, you’re not because it looks like someone took garden shears to your hair. You will come see me in the next few days or I’m hunting you down. You’re an officer. You need to set an example for those under your command,” she lectured before turning back to Drew. “Now, when are you getting out? Keith or I will take the first day or so then Mom and Dad will rotate in. If Uncle Kevin or Aunt Brittany can get a flight out, they’ll pick up after that.”
Oh, hell no. Drew had worked too hard to have his independence. He knew that Uncle Mike and Aunt Trish were watching over him for his parents, if from a slight distance. How was he going to stop his family from coddling him? Fuck.
“How about instead of me being on baby-rocking duty, Drew can stay with me. I’ve got a guest room. Got the medical knowledge to know what to do in an emergency. Hell, I was the first to see his wound in the ER. I’m on nights but he’ll be sleeping while I’m at work. I can change his bandage, watch for infection. Then none of you have to shift things around,” Brody suggested.
Drew’s family might think he was incapable of taking care of himself but he wasn’t stupid. He wassotaking Brody up on his offer. Hot male nurse? Sign him up. “You’re hired,” Drew said.
Chapter Fifteen
Brody looked around his apartment trying to see what Drew would see when he brought him home tomorrow. Drew had masterfully convinced his family that Brody was the better option to oversee his care. Brody knew that Drew was close to his family but he picked up on something in Drew that was strained when he dealt with his family. Ah, something to think about later.
A quick check of the time had Brody scrambling into his scrubs. Normally, he wore his ACUs in and changed in the locker room. But today, he just didn’t have it in him. An Under Armour long-sleeve T-shirt under his scrub top would keep him warm tonight. He hadn’t gotten around to ordering a monogrammed fleece or warm-up jacket yet. Grabbing his backpack, Brody did a visual inspection for his ‘work necessities’ — stethoscope; trauma scissors; manual BP cuff; water bottle; and gummy bears. Yup, he might be approaching twenty-six but they were still his go-to snack. He grabbed his travel mug and jacket and was out the door.
The drive to the hospital didn’t take long. Brody was clocked in and ready for report with time to spare. He blew on his coffee as he listened to Marcia’s run down. Six patients to start the night. Not too bad.
“Are there any meds that are due in the next thirty?” Brody asked when she stopped rambling. Yes, he loved his coworkers but if a few of them could learn the bullet-point concept of briefing him on patients, he’d love them more.
“Bed five needs Toradol. Wicked migraine there. Other than that, nope. Just waiting on scan and lab results on the rest,” Marcia replied. “Now, the important question that has beenburning up the gossip, when were you going to tell us all about the hottie you’ve been seeing? I’m sad that I wasn’t here to witness you fawning over him.”
Oh fuck. Great. He was the top of the gossip list again. Brody was sick of being the one people talked about. There had been enough of that when he was a kid. How was he going to deflect this? “Hottie? Are you referring to the stabbing victim we received?” There he was being all officer-like again, even pulling out his ‘officer voice’. He watched as his tone reached Marcia’s brain. She had the decency to look away.
“Ummmm, well, I heard…” Marcia paused talking and met Brody’s eyes. “I’m sorry. You’re right. No matter what I heard I shouldn’t refer to a patient in such a manner.”
Brody took pity on her. It wasn’t her fault that he got everyone’s attention with Drew’s appearance. “It’s okay, Marcia. We’ve all mentioned patients’ looks and behaviors. I guess I’m just upset to be the center of attention.”
Marcia nodded and patted his shoulder. “I’ll see what I can do to squash things. He’ll be okay?”
“Yeah, he’s being released tomorrow.” Brody didn’t share the information about Drew coming to stay with him for a few days to recover.
“Great news. I’m heading out unless you need anything else?” Marcia looked hopeful.
“I can’t think of anything. You have a great night.” Brody wanted to check in with Drew, make sure he wasn’t in any pain. Looking at the board, Brody figured he’d have time in a little while to call up to the floor. First, Toradol for bed five, then rounds.
§ § § §
The walls of the elevator were holding Brody upright and that was a challenge with his backpack slung over his shoulder. He couldn’t figure out why he was so tired. His shift hadn’t been overly busy but by the time he was free to check on Drew, it had been too late. He’d had time to get all his charting done without having to stay over. His replacement was on time. Basically, a good shift. Fighting off a yawn, Brody stood straight when the doors opened. Never let them see you sweat; never let them see you weak.
“Uncle Mike, thank you but Brody is going to watch me,” Drew’s voice floated down the hallway. Oh great, he was walking into family drama. Not Brody’s strong point. Every time he’d dealt with family drama, he’d been moved to another home. He’d thought Drew had worked everything out with his family yesterday. Guess Drew wasn’t coming home with him. Brody felt… let down? Disappointed? Unwanted?
