Page 22 of See Through

My scan stops running, and I have to go inject the contrast, so I get up and do that, pushing it into the patient's IV before I sit back down, Cooper’s face still in that stupid smirk.

“You realize what happened, don’t you?”

“Nope, but I have a feeling you’re about to spell it out for me.”

“This is the turning point. Everything is out in the open, which means you can’t just sweep it under the rug. I bet before your next investigation, you guys will have talked about it and then some.”

“Don’t be weird,” I grumble.

“I’m proud of you though.” He pats me on the shoulder. “You’ve never been so bold with her before. How did it feel?”

“Honestly?” I turn to face him. “It felt really good. I’m sort of glad it’s out there now. Even though I knew why I was keeping it from her, it still felt weird keeping a secret. We’re best friends. I hated lying to her, but I had to in order to keep our friendship intact.”

“You’re a good guy, Dean. Don’t ever forget that.” The printer turns on, paper sliding out of the rack just as Patrick comes back from whatever he was doing. Probably cleaning or stocking something. “My next patient is here.”

“I can grab⁠—”

“Sit down, Patrick. You work too hard, my friend. I’ll grab the patient.”

“Well, I can at least flip⁠—”

“Already done,” Cooper cackles as he leaves, a huge grin on his face.

“His mind fascinates me sometimes,” Patrick says, and I laugh.

“You and me both.”

Working out after my shift didn’t help the restlessness in my bones. Aubrey still hasn’t texted me back, and she hasn’t posted any updates on her social media today—not that I was looking or anything. I just like to check in on her throughout the day to make sure she’s okay. Normally, I love waiting for her daily updates. I love seeing what she’s up to during the day, and I love watching the videos she makes and posts. She’s so creative, and I really wish I could stop thinking about her. It’s only making my heart beat faster as I climb the stairs to my place.

I ran a few miles. I lifted weights and leg pressed to my max, and it still wasn’t enough to calm me down. I’m sure I fucked everything up. I’m sure she’s sitting at home right now, wondering how she can easily fade from my life. I don’t blame her. I was too forward, too upfront about my feelings. I should have done what I always do and shoved them down, but the way she was acting, like I shouldn’t care about her, was crazy. How could I not care as much for her as I do? How could she pretend our friendship means so little? How could⁠—

I stop in my tracks as I get up the stairs, a familiar figure standing against my door, headphones on, pink hair a mess, as if she ran over here or she’s been running her hand through it.

What is she doing here?

“Aubrey?” I don’t hide the surprise in my voice.

“H-hey,” she stammers.

“It’s late. What are you doing here? And why are you standing outside my door? I gave you that key so you would use it.”

“I didn’t want to just barge in like I always do…” She trails off, as if she wants to say more but doesn’t know how. “And Ms. McGee and I were talking at her place while I waited.”

Ms. McGee is my very nosy neighbor, but she’s cute. Her husband passed away a few years ago, and sometimes, when she goes down south for the winter, I water her plants for her. She brings me cookies every so often, but since Aubrey is over here a bunch, she knows her too.

“How long have you been here? I didn’t mean to keep you waiting. If I had known you were coming over, I’d have rushed home a lot sooner, rather than go to the gym.”

“Not too long.” She smiles at the floor. “Plus, I didn’t mind waiting. Did you know Ms. McGee watches my videos?”

“You’re kidding,” I say as I slide by her, unlocking my door as I motion for her to come in. This is weird. Something is wrong. Everything between us feels too formal. “She does?”

“Mhm.” She giggles to herself. “She really liked the last one. You know, the one where all the comments thought you were in love with me.”

I trip over my own two feet.

“Yeah, I, uh, remember you telling me about that.”

She sets her purse on the counter—the same one I cornered her against last night.