Page 24 of Deprivation

“Hi, Jake. It’s Nick Barnes. Ava said you were trying to reach me.”

“Nick, thanks for calling me back. I wanted to see if you were interested in joining me and the kids at Pole Green Park on Saturday to kick the ball around. They’re literally driving me crazy about it.”

“Yeah, sure. I’d like that. I’m off this weekend. I have a game at 11:45, but we could meet afterward if that works with your schedule.”

“Okay, we’ll meet you there Saturday around 2:30. Hey, did you say you were off this weekend? Any plans for Friday night? I remember you saying your calendar is pretty open and thought you might want to hang out.”

“Possibly, what’d you have in mind?”

“Okay, so don’t say no right away.”

“Uh oh.”

“No, it’s not that bad. There’s a new club opening and a bunch of us are going. It’s really not my scene, but I thought you might get to network a little. If nothing else, I’ll buy you a beer.”

“What’s the catch?” I ask, thinking something sounds suspect.

“No catch, I swear. I just know I’m way past the club days, but Kat really wants to go, and there are a few ER docs and techs going along with some of my EMS and fire pals. Hey, safety in numbers.”

I ponder this for a bit. Hell, I haven’t got anything else going on Friday night. He’s right. I’m way too old for the club scene, but networking might be good. “Sure, I’ll come. What time are you guys going?”

“We’ll meet you at The Zone at 10:00. Can’t get there too early and show our age.”

* * *

Friday night arrives, and I wonder what I was thinking coming here.Hell, I know exactly what I was thinking. Jake said Kat will be here.As I stand in this long line with what looks like the entire freshman class of the local university, I look around to see if I recognize anyone. I can’t remember the last time I came to a place like this.It’s all about the networking,I remind myself.I feel like I’m practically old enough to be these kids’ dad.I guess biologically at thirty-five, I’m old enough to have teenagers. Hell, I’m turning thirty-six soon.Where has the time gone?

Before I get too lost in my own head, the line starts to shuffle forward. Getting closer to the front doors, I feel the bass thumping beneath my feet. Not sure how I’m going to network in a place where I can barely hear myself think.

“I.D.?” The bouncer holds out his hand as I approach.

Really?I hand him my driver’s license, confirming I am old as hell and ask, “Is there a cover?”

“No. Grand opening’s free, just tip the wait staff well. It’ll be ten dollars to get in starting tomorrow.”

I enter the loud, dark open club.At least I’m not paying for this. I’ll definitely take Jake up on that beer. Entering a very large space that appears two levels high, I note a large, wooden bar that extends the length of the club on the left with at least ten bartenders hard at work. Several podiums are scattered about the club with scantily clad dancers selling shots to those who approach. The dance floor is located in the middle of the club with a variety of plush seating on the right.

I spot Jake upstairs, leaning against the rail, watching the action on the main floor. Finding a flight of stairs, I join him.

“Hey, man. Glad you could make it,” he yells.

“Yeah, well you definitely owe me that beer. I feel old as hell now. You here alone?”

“Nah, Kat couldn’t wait to get on the dance floor.”

I practically get whiplash trying to scan the floor to look for her.Calm down, man, what is wrong with you? If she isn’t gay, the guy to your right is probably sleeping with her. Unable to spot her, I return to my reason for joining him this evening. “What happened to the rest of your ‘network’?”

“Oh, they’re here. I think they’re just roaming around checking things… Oh, hell, checking women out.” He shakes his head. “Marty and Nate are on the dance floor. Donovan Grant is the tall guy wearing the black long sleeve shirt looking up at the girl pouring a shot right there,” he directs down below. “I don’t think you two have met yet. He works in our ER but mainly does nights. That’s Wyatt Wood,” he states, pointing to a tall, muscular copper-haired male in his mid-twenties. “If you need someone to sweet talk an old lady in the ER so you can set her fracture, he’s the guy.”

“Ah, I’ve actually heard of his superpowers.”

Suddenly two men approach from the stairway. “Thanks, man,” Jake acknowledges a tall male with thick dark blond hair and horn-rimmed glasses handing him a fresh beer. “Huggie, this is Nick Barnes. He’s a new orthopedist at our hospital.” I shake his hand as Jake points to a domineering, dark-skinned, bald brut who hands me a cold one. “This is Jamie. He and Huggie ride at the same firehouse.”

As I’m shaking Jamie’s hand, an intense, muscular, dark-haired male joins us. “I see DL is here,” he mutters.

“Hey, man,” Jake greets. “Nick, this is Mark Snow. He’s also a firefighter. Mark, this is Nick Barnes. He’s an orthopedist who just started at St. Luke’s.”

Shaking his outstretched hand, I ask, “Anyone manning the fire stations tonight?”

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