Page 5 of Night Shift

She worked a swing shift sometimes, so tonight I would have someone I could rely on for a few hours at least. She was one of the best nurses in the department. Although I was a little worried that she might still be upset with me for what had happened between us a year ago, she did a damn good job of keeping things professional while we worked together, and I appreciated that.

There weren’t any formal policies against dating coworkers. The hospital’s administration might have frowned upon workplace relationships, but I’d never let that kind of bureaucratic bullshit stop me before. Still, after Bethany, I’d sworn off going out with anyone at St. John’s. I didn’t need the possible hassle. At least she’d been cool about our short-lived tryst.

Leaning back and clasping my hands behind my head, I pretended to study the information on the screen while I thought about the new nurse I’d run into in the break room last night. She had entered the ED with bright-eyed enthusiasm. And while the violent drunk responsible for the horrific wreck had caused everyone in the department trouble, she’d seemed undeterred, almost energized by it all. Her eagerness to dive into the fray, as well as her curiosity about every detail of the chaotic scene, reminded me of my early days. Back then, the adrenaline rush of life-and-death situations and my raw passion for emergency medicine were what drove me. I missed the days when my career had been more than just a series of procedures and systematic decisions, when each shift had brought the thrill of the unknown.

I’d already fucked up by giving the new nurse a nickname, which told me there was something about her that I was attracted to. There was a freshness about her, a sort of vibrant energy that was hard to ignore. She had gorgeous, long, curly red hair that would stand out in any room, and her skin was pale, a milky white. There was a scattering of freckles across her nose. And those freckles, something about them was just…hot. She was definitely easy on the eyes, and I caught myself wanting to know more about her. Maybe this would be another positive thing about rotating to nights? Despite her sassy nature, it had been refreshing to have someone speak to me as if I was just another coworker and not tiptoe around because of my hardass reputation.

“Doctor Thorin, is everything okay?” a woman said from behind me. “You’ve been staring blankly at your computer screen for the last three minutes. If you need more time to get settled before we perform the reduction on the patient in room eighteen, let me know.”

I snapped out of my reverie and looked up to find that it was her, the nurse from the break room. Dropping my hands to my lap, I spun the chair around to face her.

“Hello, Sammich. I wasn’t aware you’d be gracing the ED with your presence tonight.”

As expected, her cheeks flushed red, and her ocean-blue eyes disappeared behind a squint in reaction to my deliberately provocative tone. Her arched eyebrow and frown made it clear she wasn’t amused, which provided me with a certain delight.

With a grace that belied her agitation, she straightened up, and countered icily, “So you’re sticking with Sammich, Dr. Thorin? Is Sam really that hard to remember, or does your big doctor brain need more consonants spilling out of your mouth to always sound clever? Perhaps it’s your ego needing to be propped up by reducing the nurses you work with to trivial objects?”

I couldn’t suppress a grin. “Ah, Ms. Sheridan, always a delight with your sharp tongue. But of course, you misunderstand. It’s merely an affectionate nickname, a bit of levity in our otherwise serious department. Surely you can appreciate a little humor, or does the nursing code forbid it?”

Her reply was swift and laced with equal parts sarcasm and confidence. “Humor in the ED is always welcome, Dr. Thorin, but maybe try a joke next time? I’m sure your brilliant doctor’s mind can come up with something more original than a sandwich pun. Is ‘Sam’ too mundane for your superior tastes? Must be challenging, having to stoop to my level, what with your vast intellect constantly seeking out complexities even in the simplest of circumstances. Or, more likely, it’s just another way to remind us mere mortals of our place beneath your exalted surgical hands.”

This exchange, charged with a mutual snarkiness, was starting to become almost enjoyable. We were embroiled in a battle of wits that seemed to entertain us both. This was a rare kind of teasing, one that could keep the long nights in the ED lively and somewhat bearable. And as much as I was loath to admit it, it was the kind of challenge I relished—a fiery spirit that matched my own.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise at her boldness. “Defensive much, Sammich? If you can’t stand the heat, maybe the ED isn’t your kitchen. We need our nurses to be as tough as they are skilled, after all. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find your place soon enough—or find another department more suited to your delicate sensibilities.”

Sam’s retort came quickly. “Oh, Dr. Thorin, you thinking you’re God’s gift not only to medicine but to women is so cute. Your reputation certainly precedes you, and let’s just say it’s not all about your medical skills. But don’t worry, I’m well equipped to handle whatever ‘heat’ you think you’re bringing to this kitchen.”

I wasn’t used to being talked to like this. A part of me wanted to scold her and remind her I was a doctor and, in a sense, her superior, but I hesitated. I had just gotten on shift, and it was only the second night of my rotation. I wasn’t looking to make my nights miserable by irritating this woman.

So I chose to continue the banter.

“If I told you why I call you Sammich, you’d probably vagal out right before my very eyes. The last thing I want is to lose a nurse and gain another patient. Now, don’t we have a conscious sedation to perform in room eighteen?”

Sam paused for a moment. “It’s no longer called conscious sedation, Dr. Thorin. The patient is not always conscious, so we now refer to it as procedural sedation. I’m sure you knew that, but maybe your age is finally catching up with you and you’re forgetting the new things you learn.”

Just as I was about to snap back at her, Bethany walked up and interrupted us, possibly helping me avoid an embarrassing situation, because who knew where the conversation would have gone. I stood up, shoved a pen into my breast pocket, and smiled. Bethany, not having any idea about the friendly skirmish Sam and I were having, gave me that mischievous little smile I knew all too well. It was the kind of smile that held a secret, one laced with a touch of naughtiness.

“How much longer are we planning on making this patient wait?” Bethany asked. “The pain medication given earlier is wearing off, and the sooner we get this fracture reduced and splinted, the sooner he’ll feel some relief.”

“That’s exactly what I asked him when I found him here over five minutes ago, staring blankly at his computer screen. Followed by a diatribe about what an M. Deity he is,” Sam said smugly, crossing her arms.

I took a deep breath. The exhale leaving my chest turned into a low, menacing rumble. Bethany’s and Sam’s pupils dilated as my growl triggered something primal within them both. For a moment, their eyes fixed on me like I was a piece of meat.

To redirect their focus, I asked, “Bethany, Sammich, is everything ready to perform the procedural sedation?” I emphasized the correct term and directed my words strictly toward Sam to ensure she knew I’d heard her correction, even though I hadn’t appreciated her condescending tone when she had informed me of the update. She rolled her eyes.

Bethany whipped her head around, looking at Sam with suspicious awareness. “Sammich, huh? I see he’s already given you a nickname. That’s adorable.” Then she turned back to me, her eyes blazing with resentment. Maybe she wasn’t entirely over what had happened between us after all?

“The crash cart is in the procedure room,” Bethany said after an awkward beat of silence. “The patient has been placed on capnography, and the cardiac leads are still intact. I have a simple face mask ready to run oxygen at two liters per minute when we’re ready to sedate. The pharmacist is ready to go, and I’ve notified one of the techs to be ready to splint as soon as the bone is set. Is there anything else you need before we get started, Dr. Thorin?” She enunciated my name like she was spitting daggers. The flirty expression she’d worn just moments ago had transformed into a familiar look of indignation that I’d seen from women who knew they were no longer the queen of my court. Fuck!

“Okay, great. Then we’re all set and should have everything we need. Who’s going to be my primary nurse for this patient during the procedure?” I cautiously inquired.

Bethany glanced at Sam and then back at me. “I’m sure Sammich here will do just fine assisting you. Since I’m no longer needed, I’ll be checking on other patients. Let me know if you need anything.”

A look of confusion flashed across Sam’s face, and her body language subtly shifted to a more closed-off posture.

I directed my attention toward Sam. “Well then, let’s get this patient sedated, set, x-rayed, and out of here. It’s just a broken bone, so there’s no sense in keeping him here longer than necessary.”

Bethany walked off with a scowl on her face that told me she’d have words for me later, but that was the least of my concerns. The last thing I wanted was the gossip train locomoting around the department. Given that Sam was new here, I was sure she had already heard plenty of stories about my difficult nature. However, based on our interaction in the break room yesterday and today’s encounter, I had a gut feeling she wasn’t too bothered by it. Perhaps she was accustomed to dealing with disrespectful doctors who treated her like an inexperienced “baby nurse.” The words that poured out from her sexy full lips when she spoke to me suggested she could hold her own. That captured my interest. Her sass made me want to shut her pretty little mouth up with my cock.

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