Page 108 of Asystole

“Shit. There are my parents. I forgot to tell you they were coming.” Chase’s voice breaks through the chaos spinning in my brain.

His mother lifts her hand in a wave as they approach.

I move out of the way in an attempt to fade into the background, even though I want to melt into Chase and make us both disappear right now.

“Chase, you look tired,” his mom says instead of hello as she pulls him in for a hug. “Are you eating enough?”

“Most days,” he answers, before shifting his attention to his father. “Dad.”

“Hi, son.” Chase’s father sticks his hand out. Chase is slow to take it. “Don’t forget we need to talk before this wedding is over.”

“I think I need to figure some things out on my own before that happens,” Chase says, trying to hold his ground. His parents clearly don’t like that.

“Well, that’s why we’re here, honey. We want to help,” his mom says. “Now, catch us up. Surely you don’t have to be inside just yet, do you?”

“Um, no, I guess I have a minute or two,” he says, sounding unsure of himself.

His mother grabs his arm and begins leading him toward the French doors of the venue. It’s warm out; the scent of jasmine fills the air, and the old estate where the wedding is being held is truly stunning.

I have zero doubt this was Hanlon’s choice, not Stone’s.

Chase gives me an apologetic look over his shoulder as he allows his mom to lead him along.

I follow behind them, ready to intervene if things get too intense, but stay quiet until Chase decides the moment is right for an introduction.

“How’s the hospital? And your cases? Are you answering all the questions? Taking initiative? Speaking up, but not sounding cocky? It’s important to let your attendings know that you’re prepared for the cases without stepping on their toes or sounding like a know-it-all,” she says, not allowing Chase a second to get a word in edgewise, clearly trying to play good cop, leaving the heavier topics for Chase’s dad to address.

“Yeah, it’s been okay,” Chase says. “There’s this one patient; she was just declared NEAD, so I actually get to watch her leave the hospital in a little over a week, and I’m really looking forward to that.”

“NEAD?” his father, whose name I still don’t know, says, wrinkling his nose. “Your patients don’t get NEAD labels, Chase. Trauma is⁠—”

“She’s not a trauma patient. She’s a little girl who’s been fighting cancer for two years of her short life. She’s got the most beautiful smile, and she loves dolphins. For Christmas, Logan and I brought a feast to her and her mom⁠—”

“And who paid for this feast?” his dad says, clearly gearing up for a fight. It’s disgusting how much this guy really thinks he owns Chase just because he opens his wallet and thinks being a surgeon puts him on the same level as God.

“I did,” I say, stepping forward, slapping a hand to Chase’s upper back. Bro-friendly, not intimate. I just want him to know I’m here if he needs me.

He leans into me just the slightest bit as his dad gives me a once-over.

“Logan, I presume?” he says.

I nod and hold out my hand. This man doesn’t know that he’s meeting his son’s boyfriend for the first time, but I do, and I want to make a good impression even if he is a pretentious douchebag.

“Yes, sir. Logan Kirkland.”

He gives my hand a firm shake before dropping it immediately.

“So, you’re encouraging my son’s dereliction of duties, huh?” he asks, giving Chase what can only be described as a warning glare, and it pisses me right off.

I cock my head to the side.

“No, sir. I’m just supporting Chase any way I can. He’s really great with the kids. Marcy, especially. I think he missed his calling in pediatric oncology. He’s a hero up there, and any time he makes it to the floor, he’s always in a much better mood when he comes home.”

“There’s no money in it, and I’ve been telling him for years that the fastest way to burn out is to care about your patients beyond the problem you intend to fix.”

Before I can run my mouth any more, someone turns the corner, interrupting our chat.

“Chase! There you are, you giant motherfu—uh, hi, Chase’s parents.”