Travis
“Travis, wake up.”
I groaned, rolling on my side, trying to hide my face in my pillow.
“Seriously, wake up and go home.” Roughly, someone shook my shoulder, rousing me from my half-sleeping state.
My eyes shot open to find Harper hovering over me.
“And you owe me a ride home, remember?”
Oh right. Trust Harper to wake me up for that. Rubbing my head, I slowly sat up. “What time is it?”
“Three in the morning.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“What are we still doing here?”
“Well, we could have been home an hour ago, but I couldn’t find you anywhere. What gave you the bright idea to hide in here?”
My eyes closed with defeat.
“I’ve been working for nearly twenty-four hours. If I didn’t get some shut eye, I would have passed out.” With my limbs stiff from the hospital cot, I slowly rose to my feet, joints cracking with the movement.
“Right, I forgot you worked the shift before this. What made you want to take on a double? We both know it’s suicide. Forty-eight hours straight? A human can’t survive that.”
I shrugged. “There was no one around. I didn’t want to leave the ER empty, so it’s not like I had much of a choice.”
Harper grunted, shaking his head. “They really need to hire more doctors. This is getting ridiculous. With Saint Luke’s closed, we’re getting swamped.”
“I know, but I don’t want to talk about work right now. I’m too tired. Let’s just go home.”
“Are you going to be okay to drive?” my friend said with an air of hope, eyeing my sleep-crusted eyes and lethargic limbs.
“Nice try, but I’m not letting you drive the Beamer.”
Harper chuckled. “It was worth a shot.”
“You make just as much as I do. You can probably afford one yourself, you know,” I pointed out as we headed toward the employee lot.
He shook his head. “I was a dumb teenager. My credit is in the trash. They’d never trust me.”
“Hmm. That’s unfortunate.”
Harper shrugged.
“It is what it is,” he said, getting into the passenger seat of my car. Following his lead, I hopped behind the wheel, revving the engine.
For a while, we rode in silence. I took the opportunity to parse through my thoughts. After two months of nonstop work, I barely had time to think. Almost instantly, my mind wandered back to Janie. I felt horrible about ignoring her all this time. The brunette must think that I hate her or something.
I really needed to find the time to talk to her again because I missed the beautiful female. Those luscious curves. The way she’d moaned into my mouth as my cock pushed into that wet sweetness.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the time to drift off while I was driving.
“So, how’s life?” Harper broke the silence, looking my way. “We haven’t had much time to talk.”
“We haven’t had much time to do anything,” was my grumpy reply.
“That’s true. But still, how are things going? You still talking to that Janie girl you told me about?”
I shook my head. “No, I haven’t found the time.”
He whistled.
“Man, that’s cold. It’s been two months, right?”
“I know, I know. But every time I get a day off, I end up sleeping for most of it. And besides, I’m not going to knock on her door at two in the morning just to say hello.”
“Who knows? Maybe she’d like that,” he said with a wink. “Or are you not looking for a relationship right now?”
I adjusted my grip on the wheel, thinking it over. On one hand, I really liked Janie. She was an amazing girl – smart and beautiful. But on the other, I really didn’t have the time for a committed relationship because of my crazy hours. I wouldn’t want any female to feel neglected, especially Janie. She deserved better than that.
So I hedged. “I don’t know. It’s tough. Maybe when things ease up at the hospital.”
Harper shot me a wry glance.
“That could take years, you know. Do you really think she is going to wait that long?”
I frowned. He had a point. For all I knew, Janie could have already found someone else. “I just don’t want to be a second-rate boyfriend.”
“You have a point,” Harper agreed. “It’s hard to take a girl out on a date when you’re working weird-ass shifts.”
“Exactly. How do you do it?”
He shrugged. “Priorities, man. We make the time. Kelsey’s pretty understanding. Plus, she works from home, so she can change her schedule around to spend time with me. I guess when you really like someone, you’ll find a way to make it all work out.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. I hope things work out for you two, whatever happens.”
A sigh escaped my chest. Fuck.
“Me too,” was my rueful grunt.
Our conversation died down, and I kept driving, barely paying attention to the road.
“Um dude, you just missed my street.”
“Huh?”
Harper pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Mulberry Lane. You just passed it.”
“Shoot, sorry.” I jacked on the brakes.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re both tired.”
Quickly, I did a three-point turn and headed back in the right direction, this time swerving into the cul-de-sac. “Here you are.”
“Thanks, I owe you one,” he said, getting out of the car. “See you tomorrow.”
Oh fuck. Another double shift. Just my luck.
I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
“Hey, at least we can maybe get six hours of sleep before then,” my friend said jovially.
“Speak for yourself. I have so much laundry to do.”
“Screw the laundry. Sleep is more important,” he laughed, slamming the door behind him. With a light jog, my buddy ran up to his house. And surprisingly, Kelsey opened the door, even though it was five a.m. Her female form reached out to embrace him, their lips locking in a deep kiss.
I averted my eyes, unable to look as envy seeped into my soul. Harper was so lucky. I needed someone like that in my life, and Janie would be the perfect fit, welcoming me home after tough days. But the thing was that it’d already been so long since we talked … did the curvy girl even remember me?
***
Somehow, I managed to get home safe and sound, despite nearly nodding off at the wheel a couple of times. I parked in my usual spot and sat there for a moment, admiring the inkling of light emerging along the horizon.
I should be in bed right now like the rest of the world. But instead, here I was, all alone in my car.
Sighing, I finally got up, trudging into the apartment building. At the desk, the security guard had his arms folded over his chest, head tilted back, and mouth wide open in a snore.
Maybe I should consider a career change. Seriously, this guy had a better life than me at the moment. But who was I kidding? As hellish as the schedule was, I loved my job. There’s no way to describe the feeling of saving someone’s life and making a difference. I wouldn’t give it up for all the money in the world.
As always, the elevator took forever to arrive. Growing annoyed, I opted for the stairs despite my fatigue. Halfway up the climb, I started to regret my decision. Why did I think this was a good idea again? My lids were heavy, every muscle aching from lack of sleep.
Still, I powered through, finally arriving at my floor. I pulled out my keys, about to open my door when I glanced over at Janie’s apartment. Was she sleeping? What would happen if I knocked on her door? For a moment, I was tempted by the idea. I just needed to talk to her – to see her pretty face. It felt like so long since the night I held her in my arms. I stepped forward, tottering on the idea.
But in the end, I opted to let the brunette sleep. I didn’t want to disturb her beauty rest when she probably had work in the morning and important things to do.
With another defeated sigh, I stepped into my apartment, letting the door close behind me. But before I could head to the kitchen, something caught my eye, stuck to the bottom of my shoe. Shit, had I been walking around with a piece of toilet paper the whole day? Why didn’t someone say something?
But instead, it was a small square of paper, already translucent from the moisture from the sole of my shoe. Shit. There’s a lot of dew in the mornings, and I’d cut across the lawn of the apartment complex in my haste to get to my apartment. Fuck.
Unfortunately, the ink had smudged from the moisture, making it impossible to read. I squinted, trying to decipher the faded blue lines. Nope, impossible. I frowned, hoping that whatever it was, it wasn’t important. But realistically, it was probably just an advertisement for something or other.
No big deal. I shrugged it off, throwing the piece of paper in the bin. Heading to the kitchen, I popped open a bag of chips. It was way too early to be eating something so salty but at this point, I really didn’t care. My stomach was angry with me and it was my job to get some calories in there.
After finishing, I skipped the bathroom and went straight to bed, collapsing onto the mattress. I didn’t even bother to take off my dirty scrubs, too tired to care.
But sleep wouldn’t come. Because what had Harper said? If something matters to you, you’ll make time for it?
With my hands folded over my chest, I stared at the ceiling. Janie’s face swam before my eyes with that lovely pout curved in a smile, her brown curls waving about that beautiful face.
How had she been these last few months? Did she miss me as much as I missed her? I desperately wanted to talk to her and hear that melodic voice again. Not to mention the emptiness in my bed would be gone once that curvy form lay beside me. Because our one night together had been perfect. Off the charts amazing. Something that I’d do again in a heartbeat.
But again, it’d been so long. I wondered if Janie felt the same or if she had already forgotten about our heady night together? With a feeling of dread, my eyes closed as sleep claimed my soul. Blessed darkness descended, and I fell into the abyss of a deep, restful slumber.
***
All too soon, a rude knock sounded on the door, jolting me awake. WTF? I jumped out of bed, heart pounding, thinking something was wrong. Someone needed me. A gunshot wound. An overdose that was potentially fatal. My heart leaped to a hundred beats a minute in mere seconds.
But disorientation struck me then as I glanced around, puzzled. What a minute? Where was I? It took me a second to realize I was in my bedroom.
Oh right. So many nights in the hospital had made me a stranger to my own apartment. Quickly, I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 8:00 A.M., the red numbers flashed.
Fuck! There was work in two hours, and yet the knocking continued. Who the fuck was it? Why would someone pound on my door at this time of day?
Like an angry bear, I stalked into the living room and jerked the wooden slab open. “Wha--?”
To my surprise, Tracie was standing there. My dear sister, younger than me by two years. We used to be close, but Tracie changed over the years. She’s always been so beautiful that people bow to her every whim, and her personality’s suffered as a result.
“What are you doing here?” I stared accusingly. Somehow, she looked as fresh as a daisy despite the early hour. “When did you become a morning person?”
“Let me guess, you forgot I was coming.” Without another word, my sister breezed into my apartment like she owned the place, dropping her bags onto my couch. “I should have guessed as much.”
“Did you tell me you were coming?”
“Three months ago,” she said, standing there with her hand on her hip. “You didn’t put it on your calendar like I asked you to, did you?”
“I…” Fuck, it was way too early for me to be dealing with her. I took a deep breath, running my fingers through my bedraggled hair. “It’s just not a good time right now.”
“Why?” She raised an eyebrow. “You got a girl in the bedroom or something?”
“No.”
“Then what are you worried about?” she said airily.
Tracie would never understand. This girl was always about herself, never mind the inconvenience to others.
“I have work at ten,” was my surly reply.
“That’s fine. I know how to entertain myself. It’s not the first time I’ve crashed at your place,” she said with a careless wave of her hand. I rolled my eyes in response.
“What are you doing here, anyway?”
“There’s a new modeling agency in town. They sent me a job offer and I thought I’d check it out,” she explained breezily, already surveying my apartment like it wasn’t good enough for her queenly presence. “Could be worth a hefty sum.”
“So is that why you’re all dolled up?” I asked wryly, taking in the tight mini-skirt and high heels.
“That, and other reasons,” she smirked. “I have some people I want to impress later tonight.”
“Oh really?”
“Mmm-hmmm,” she purred smugly, dangling bait before my nose. I took it.
“Who?”
“I’m sure you’ll find out sooner or later,” she paused, eyeing me slyly. “By the way, are you still taking me out to dinner later?”
What? I’d committed to no such thing, but details like that are lost on my little sis.
“I get out of work at five and I was hoping I could come home and just relax,” were my tight words.
“And neglect me? No way. You owe me.”
I shot daggers her way.
“Don’t start, Tracie.” But my sister is a champion whiner.
“The last time I came, you never took me out. I’m long overdue for a nice dinner and you know it.”
I heaved an exasperated sigh.
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?” I asked, moving into the kitchen so I could make a pot of coffee. “Do you want anything?”
“I’ll take some tea, thanks Travis,” she said, critically eyeing her manicure. “Hmm, I’m going to have to work on this nail here before my go-see.”
Whatever. Tracie is a pretty girl for our small hometown, but here in the big city, there are pretty girls everywhere. Her looks weren’t good enough to land her steady work, but unfortunately, my sister still wanted to pursue this so-called “career.”
“Tea? I don’t have tea,” I said abruptly.
“Yes, you do.” She walked up behind me, reaching into one of my cabinets. “I swear, I know this apartment better than you do.” Triumphantly, the raven-haired girl pulled down a box of Earl Gray. “And I’ve only stayed the night a couple of times.”
I rolled my eyes.
“How did you even know that was there?”
“I bought them during my last visit. And besides, I know you never clean out these cabinets.”
“Fine then. Okay. Since you’re up, you can make your own tea.”
She glared in my direction. “Some host you are.”
I ignored her comment, moving around the kitchen to get coffee started. Tracie boiled some water, her slim fingers deft, and my eyes narrowed following her movements.
“You look good.”
She turned, tilting her head. “You think so? I hope so, because looking good is my business.”
“Yeah.”
“Awesome then,” she smiled, blue eyes gleaming. “Because if I get this job, I’ll be living in your city for at least six months. Won’t that be wonderful big brother? Lots of quality time together.”
And with another roll of my eyes, my shoulders slumped. Because having Tracie visit was literally last on my list of desirable outcomes. I couldn’t deal with a spoiled, selfish brat right now, even if we were related by blood. But what choice did I have? Tracie was here already, and my mom would give me the third degree if I didn’t let my sister crash. So with another shake of my head, I tried to block out my unexpected visitor.
Surprisingly, it worked. As a jolt of caffeine hit my system, I began to feel more awake. Standing up, I tossed the rest of my coffee into the sink, bracing for the day ahead. A piece of white paper in the trash caught my eye, but my eyes slid over it without a second thought. It’d been the square stuck to the bottom of my shoe, and I didn’t have time for that now. There were lives to save, and a beautiful brunette to dream about … if I was lucky.