Page 26 of Deprivation

“I’m sorry, Amanda, is it? I don’t really understand. Is the on-call not answering?”

“Not exactly, sir. The on-call orthopedist has been in the OR most of the evening. He’s a hip specialist and recommends they locate a hand surgeon so they wouldn’t have to transfer this patient to the Medical College. The patient was doing wood work and has some serious injuries. Dr. Morgan is out of town, and they tried to reach Dr. Lee, but he’s not been returning the call.”He’s probably balls deep in someone right now, that’s why he’s not calling you back,I surmise.

Refocusing on the matter at hand, I decide I should at least see if I can offer treatment and prevent a transfer. “No, I can come in. Let them know I’m on the way.” I hang up the call and look down at myself in astonishment.What the hell has happened to me? I’ve got to get my shit together.I head to the shower and make quick work of cleaning up and dressing so I can make it to the ER. I’m sure if they’ve been reaching out to Sebastian before calling me, the patient’s probably been waiting for a while.

It’s almost 6:00 a.m. when I pull into the physicians’ parking lot. I’ll evaluate the patient and try to grab a cup of coffee before I head to the office to start my day. I approach the main physicians’ workspace in the ER and notice a familiar figure in black scrubs. “Hi. I’m not sure we’ve officially met, but I’m Dr. Barnes. I got a call from the service that you needed someone to look at a hand.”

“Hey, Dr. Barnes. I heard you were at the club the other night, but that place was packed, and I never caught up with the rest of the group. I’m Donovan. Donovan Grant,” he introduces, shaking my hand. “Yes, seems the poor unfortunate soul was wrestling a table saw. The saw is up three to nothing. He amputated the tip of the right fourth finger. That’s not salvageable. He has a tuft fracture and laceration through the nail of the third finger, but the index finger is the most concerning, as he’s lacerated the tendon and it’s a dirty wound. He has sensation but cannot move the finger. I suspect he’ll need to be washed out in the OR to prevent infection, as well as to have the tendon repaired. He’s a diabetic and a smoker and I have concerns it isn’t going to heal well,” he underlines. “I really appreciate you coming in. I hate to transfer him downtown if we can avoid it.”

“No. Certainly, I’m happy to help. But I’m the first to admit, delicate hand injuries are not my area. Sebastian is really the guy for the job since Morgan is out of town for the week. But I’m happy to see the patient. What room is he in?”

“Mr. Jessup is in room twenty. Let me know if there’s anything you need,” Donovan adds.

Thirty minutes later, after evaluating the patient and determining Donovan was right on the money, I try to reach Sebastian Lee myself. This patient really needs to go to the OR, and I don’t have the expertise to tackle this delicate procedure.

“Well, if it isn’tThe Nick Barnes?” I hear rolling off of his haughty tongue as he answers the phone.

“Sebastian. The ER has been trying to reach a hand specialist for one of their patients. Morgan is out of town, and this old guy has done a real number on his hand.” I explain the seriousness of his injuries. “Any chance you could come so they don’t have to ship him to the Medical College?”

“Sure, man. Thanks for calling me. I appreciate you trying to pitch in, but I’ll get over there and take him off of your hands.”

The smug bastard, acting like he’s doing me a favor. “Sure, Lee, you do that.” I hang up the phone before I have to endure any more of that asshole’s superiority.

“Dr. Barnes?” I hear a soft voice purr to my right. Looking over, I catch my breath.Fuck, this woman. “Hi,” is all I can get out. Again, I’m reduced to acting like a fucking teenager.

“Hi,” Kat returns with a soft smile, a bit of pink hitting her cheeks.Hell, does she have any idea I fucked her bareback this morning?“I, uh, I hate to bother you. I know it’s early and Donovan told me you were kind enough to come in and help out, but…”

Why does she look so nervous? God, have I been that much of a dick that she’s having a hard time asking me to do something? She normally doesn’t have any trouble telling me what she thinks. “It’s no bother. What can I do to help?”

Smiling timidly at me, she continues, “I have a sweet little lady here who dislocated her shoulder. I’ve tried twice to reduce it, and both times I could feel it drop into place, but when I get the post reduction films, it looks like it’s still out. I had her in a shoulder immobilizer right away, but I don’t understand why it won’t stay in. I don’t want to do any damage trying again.” She stops and bites her lower lip momentarily, halting my breathing again. “Would you mind seeing her?”

I grin broadly, unable to stop myself. I must look like a loon. “I’d be happy to. Do you mind introducing me to her?”

“Oh, of course,” Kat replies. “She’s in room nine.”

I follow her down the hall and take in today’s hairstyle. I’ve noticed she only wears it up. Today, it’s braided and wound around itself like a complex bun, right above that soft pale skin I want to bite.

“Rebecca, this is Dr. Barnes. He’s a shoulder specialist, and he’s going to make sure we get that arm fixed for you. Thank you for being so patient with us this morning,” she tells the thin elderly female sitting on the stretcher beside her.

I turn to Kat, “Are you going to do this with me? I’ll be right here.” I attempt to encourage her. “You got this.” I notice her face turns pale, almost stunned at my suggestion.

“Oh, no. I’ve put poor Rebecca through enough. I’ll let you work your magic,” she quickly responds.

“Okay, Rebecca, tell me how this happened,” I begin.

* * *

Kat

From the corner of the room, I note this Nick Barnes is entirely different than the version I’ve met on prior visits. He’s charismatic and reassuring to sweet Rebecca and doesn’t shame me with my failed attempts to reduce her dislocation as I suspected he might. Trying to give him the space he needs to finally provide relief to this kind woman, I find myself taking him in from a new angle. And I don’t mean his bedside manner.

Without a lab coat, he has a muscular, firm ass that fills out his charcoal grey suit pants perfectly. I try to look away before someone notices me staring, only to be seduced by his strong, veiny forearms. Man, there’s nothing like arm porn, and he has it in spades. I can just imagine those arms wrapping around…

“Kat?” I hear a voice clear.

“Um, I’m sorry, what was that?” I try to refocus.

“I asked if we could get Rebecca a bit more medicine to relax her before I try to perform this reduction.”

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