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I snort a laugh and move toward the guide, who is fanning her ashen face. I help her sit on the ground, and she puts her head between her knees and inhales deeply.
Meanwhile, Elliot is bandaging David up. He’s so efficient and clear-headed that he’s done in a matter of minutes. Then, I’m helping David stand, and he and his mother are being led away by another guide.
“You were awesome,” the guide says, swiping at her sweaty head. “Cool beans that we had a doctor up in this house. You saved the day, man.”
Elliot arches an eyebrow at her, and she shudders a little.
“Perhaps lay off the cannabis before you come to work,” he snaps, and the guide jumps slightly.
I laugh and pull him back into my side. “Keep it together, Eli,” I say softly. “We don’t want her leaving us stranded in here.”
Then to the guide, I say, “Go on. Let’s get this tour over with.”
I lean down and whisper in his ear. “You were good with that kid. Even made him laugh once.”
“Yes, well, I worked in the ER for a few years. I can deal with high-pressure situations. This, I’m telling you, was not high pressure. He had a cut. It’s nothing compared to a gunshot wound or a tree branch through a torso.”
My eyes widen at that, and I stop walking.
“For real.”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
“Still, Eli, it was impressive. Got me all fucking hot for you, Doc.”
Elliot’s eyes fly to my crotch, and he quickly looks away.
“Yes, well, I’m not getting you off in here. There are too many people. You’ll have to wait until we get back to our room.”
I press a small kiss on his head, and we continue the tour. I’m barely listening to what is being said though, I’m too focused on Elliot walking beside me. He’s all stoic and calm, like he didn’t just save the fucking day.
I adjust my pants as I force my gaze away from him.
“Why didn’t you stay working in the ER if you’re so good at it?”
“It didn’t suit me. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a stress case. You should have seen me while I was working that job. I realized two years into it that I needed to take better care of myself. It’s why I went into general practice.”
“And how do you like it? Your practice?”
“It’s fine. Stable. It was an established practice before I came along. All I did was buy the previous doctor out.” He looks up at me. “My sisters loaned me the money. I owe them thousands.”
“They did it because they love you.”
“Of course. And I love them,” he says quickly. “It was a way to help me, but really, it was a bigger fuck you to my parents.”
“You gonna tell me why?”
Elliot rolls his lips between his teeth and then sighs.
“Well, you know some of what happened because my sisters can’t help but blab. But my parents disowned me when I came out. They told me to hide who I was, or leave. I chose to be who I am. So, when I turned eighteen and started testosterone therapy, I left and never looked back. My sisters followed me. My parents had four children one day, and now they have none.”
Goddamn. He’s so brave.
“And you haven’t seen your parents since?” I ask.
“No, and I don’t care to. Not if they can’t accept me for who I am.”
I pull him in a little closer. “Good. Fuckers can stay away.”
