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I just make it to the living room where I find Penny at the bottom of the stairs grabbing her leg. Half the crew comes barreling in behind me and Reid to see my baby girl curled up in a ball on the floor. I immediately dive for her and start checking for blood or to see what is wrong.
As soon as I get a closer look, I can tell something is wrong with her leg. “What happened Pumpkin?” I gently ask as I wipe away her tears and smooth my hand over her back.
In between sobs, Penny stutters. “I thought I could walk down the balance beam but I gots scared and falled off. My leg hurts, Daddy.” She wailed.
“Balance beam?” I ask with a frown.
Reid clears his throat and explains, “I think she means the banister. I may have let her watch some gymnastic videos the other night while you were cooking dinner and we were hanging out. She was amazed by it, and I told her I would talk to you about letting her take classes. I completely forgot about it, but apparently she didn’t.” He said guiltily.
“Thanks for that, man. You know how she gets!”
“I’m sorry! If it’s any consolation, I did tell her that those girls had been doing it for years and that it would be very dangerous to try anything she saw by herself.”
Feeling like an ass I looked at my best friend and blew out a breath. “Shit, I know you would never do anything that would put her in harm’s way. Will you go grab her stuff and meet me out at the truck? I don’t like the way her leg looks and from the way she’s carrying on, this one most definitely is warranting a trip to the ER.”
My little girl may be many things, but overreacting any time she got a bump or bruise was not the norm for her. She’s very much a tough little cookie and if she’s still this upset, she’s definitely hurting more than just getting a bump or bruise.
“You, bet man. I’ll get everything and meet you at the truck.”
Turning to my crew, I grimaced. “I know I shouldn’t say this, but if we could please not let what happened leave this room, I’d greatly appreciate it. I don’t need the homeowners, or any future clients, thinking I make a habit of bringing my kid to work. We’ve got some pretty kick ass jobs coming up that will be great for our business, and we can’t afford to lose them or for ascandalto get out right now.”
“No sweat boss. You know that little girl has us all wrapped around her fingers, and you’d never bring her to a job site unless you absolutely had to.”
“Thanks, Jack. That means a lot. Does everyone know what they need to be working on for the rest of the day?”
With nods of their heads and some “you betchas,” thrown out there, I scoop up my baby girl and head for my truck. Thankfully her cries have calmed to more of a whimper, but knowing my baby girl is hurting has me an anxious wreck the whole way to the hospital.
Chapter Two
Chayse
“Uuugggghhh,doyouthinkyou can just hook up coffee to an IV so I can get my fix immediately?” Looking up from my computer, I see my best friend, Landon, looking a little worse for the wear. Raising my brow, he interrupts before I can even get a word out. “Yeah, yeah I know you can’t do that, but I’m definitely on the struggle bus this morning.”
“And what, or should I say who, has you so wrung out this morning?” I smirk because I know it’s a who, not a what, who has my best friend looking like he hasn’t slept in a week, but grinning ear to ear before he gives me the goods.
“Oh My God, Chayse, I met the dreamiest guy the other day when I stopped to grab coffee after that hellish shift we had. I unfortunately had several errands to run, so I knew coffee was a must. Running on fumes, I stumbled into the coffee shop and right into a tall drink of water. He was built but had on slacks, a button up shirt, and Clark Kent glasses. You know what a man in glasses does to me. He’s my height with chocolate eyes and dark hair and dimples! Dimples, Chayse! You know I am such a sucker for a good smile.”
“Thankfully he took pity on my tired ass and instead of being pissed that I knocked his drink out of his hands, OOPS, he ordered us both a new one and then proceeded to sit down and share it with me. His name is Collin, and we went out on a date last night that ended up with him coming home with me. We had a hella time and we’re going to go out again soon!”
“Well, I’m glad he was worth the long night and this even longer 12-hour shift that just started.” I try to keep my laugh in at the glare he’s shooting my way but lose it within seconds.
“Laugh all you want my dear friend, but at least my orgasms, yes multiple, were from another human being and not battery or self-inflicted.” He haughtily replies.
Raising my hands, “okay, you definitely got me there and you know I’m just teasing. We both know it’s been a minute since I’ve had a man induced O, but I’m also okay with that. I am so busy working and building my career and I’m completely fine with that. Would I like to get off with someone other than Chris Hemsworth? —Chris Hemsworth is my favorite battery-operated boyfriend— Of course, but I don’t really have the time to focus on a guy or a relationship right now, and you know I hate one-night stands. I work in the health field and don’t really trust a rando when it comes to their sexual health history.”
With an exasperated sigh, my best friend just nods his head at me. “You know I get it, but you’re a damn bombshell, babe. You’re tall with curves in all the right places, smoking hot red hair with that purple and not to mention your kick ass ink. I’m sure you can find at least one decent dude who will understand that they aren’t going to be your first priority but are still willing to give you some amazing O’s!”
I can’t help but smile at Landon. Yes, he can be dramatic and over the top, but he is also the most fiercely loyal friend a girl can have. I know he loves me and just wants me to be happy. I stand up and go around the desk to squeeze the life out of my bestie. “Thanks, L. I love you too.”
He’s such a sap that I hear him sniffle as soon as the words are out of my mouth. “Stop making me cry in the middle of the ER, you brat!” He yells at me with a swat to my ass. That is exactly why Landon and I became besties four years ago when I started working in the ER. He acts like a tough guy, but he’s a huge softy underneath that tough exterior. It’s also what makes him one hell of a nurse and someone I look up to even though he’s only a few years older than me.
I love being a nurse and want to be the best nurse that I can possibly be. It’s why I work so hard and so often and why I’ve earned the head nurse position in our ER at the young age of 29. I’ve always been career oriented, and to achieve that goal has been awesome, but lately, I’ve been thinking about the next step. I haven’t told a soul, but I’ve had a few larger hospitals send me letters of interest that could be amazing for my career. The only downfall is that they are several hours away, and one is even in a different state.
I am super hesitant about moving away from my dad and sisters. We’ve beenThe gangever since my mom passed away from cancer when we were 12. She’s the reason why I am a nurse today. I wanted to be able to help people in their hardest moments. Little did I know that I’d end up falling in love with the chaotic energy of the ER along the way.
Emerson and Spencer are the best sisters I could have, and I’ve never been far from them. Even when Spence and I went to college, we went to the state school that was only half an hour away and commuted to all of our classes. So even though I am super career oriented, I’m also terrified of being that far from my family.
“Alright, I’ll stop. But you don’t need to worry about me, Landon. I’m a happy, independent woman! Besides, if this place didn’t suck up all of my time, you know I’m over my head in the house renovation department. I need to get that place fixed up before I bring anyone over.”
