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His jaw goes taut, and he tilts his head.
I walk through the house and into the kitchen, finding Nina at the island pouring a glass of wine.
I instantly wish I didn’t have to go to work.
“He’s not himself, Scar. I mean, it’s been years. I get it things will be different, but he isn’t sleeping. He was camped out in that boxy room at Elliot’s place when we went over last week. Didn’t even have any food in the place. He’s a mess—”
“Mase,” I snap, cutting him off. I feel Nina’s eyes on us. “Please don’t do that. I can’t.”
“I’m just saying. If he leaves the hospital and goes home, is he really in the right headspace to deal with this?”
“You’re talking about Ave?” Nina asks.
Mason nods.
“It’s up to them. Stay out of it, bossman.”
My nostrils flare as everything Ave went through as a baby, as a toddler, and as a little girl whirls through my mind. “He’s your friend, Mase, and Ave is my daughter. She needs her dad, and maybe he’ll need you because of that. It’s not on me to make sure he’s okay. I have one priority here.”
My brother sighs, rounding the island and dropping down at the counter. “I’m sorry.”
I slide the picture into my back pocket. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
EIGHT
Scarlet
“You’re in early.”
I don’t say a word as I bypass Mia and Annie and head for the locker room, just giving them a smile which they return with a shake of the head. Once my things are in my locker, and I have on my scrubs, I head back to the desk, sliding in next to them so that I can check the results I’d been waiting on before I left to go home this morning.
“Did you come in early to see Lance?” Mia asks as if they’d discussed the possible options and that one seemed the more viable.
“I have no reason to worry myself with room three, Mia.”
“Room three…” I can hear the smile in Annie’s voice. “Is that what we’re calling him now?”
I sigh and stand. “My child was whisked away by Charlie Aldridge this afternoon.” I reach into our coffee fund jar and pluck out enough for three coffees. “Are you sad, broken bitches coming or what?”
“Charlie Aldridge,” Annie sings. “Do you say his full name just to make our knees weak?” She smiles.
Mia hums in agreement. “If he were ever a patient, I’d put him in bed M1 A.”
Annie chuckles. “And when I’d move him, I’d say… Excuse me, sir, could you please hold the bed RAIL for ME.”
Mia bursts out laughing while I stare at them wide-eyed.
“And you ladies wonder why you’re single,” I whisper before turning and walking away.
After a moment I feel their shoulders brush mine as they catch up. I smile as we head toward the canteen.
“So, you helped him get up and about on his crutches. It doesn’t mean anything,” Mia reassures me. “It’s your job.”
Annie sighs. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t work with him to be honest, Scar. It’s never a good idea in my experience.” She gives me a grimace. “It’s not life or death, but past situations have taught me to keep the lines firm.”
“I know. And I’m not going to go in again.”
Last night was too hard. Being so close to him with so much to say. Seeing him struggle—physically and mentally. The spark I once knew in his eyes isn’t there anymore, and if I let myself get close, let myself witness his pain, I know I’ll fight against what’s right formeto fix him.
