Page 6 of Only You

“I love you, too,” they said together before I hung up. I pulled into the spot, taking a deep breath before exiting. That little intermission with my family only temporarily filled the void I had before it was back to the grind. I got out, grabbed my bag, and started across the lot. There were a few cars spread throughout. I finally walked through the sliding double doors of Cypress Med Hospital, letting the sterile smell of the room fill my nose. Then, I surveyed the waiting room. I was thankful that only a few bodies sat. I hoped the rooms would be the same once I started my rounds. As I passed the nurse’s station, a chorus of voices rang out in a singsong tone from the four nurses who were congregating instead of working.

“Hey, Dr. Washington,” they said. I was one of three doctors who worked a rotating shift out of a department of ten. I attended medical school to become a physician specializing in emergency medicine and trauma surgery. I also completed a fellowship andbecame board-certified in pediatrics. Since I’d been at CMH, I’d worked on the children’s side of the hospital when they needed me.

It was wild how I’d taken the Hippocratic Oath to practice medicine and ethically save as many lives as possible. Then, I would take one just as quickly on the other side of my reality. I was a walking juxtaposition, but I’d come to terms with it the day I put on that white coat for the first time, knowing the type of life I lived prior. I was Ice, born and raised to be a ruthless motherfucker, white coat or not.

I flipped my locs back with my hand as I passed the group of women. They had no idea of the deadly persona beneath the surface of my smiles. Then, I checked my wrist to be sure my tie was on it. I was sure at some point during the night, I’d throw it in a bun on top of my head.

“That man is so damn fine,” I heard one of the nurses not so quietly say behind me as I walked by. I also listened to the grunt that one of them let out. I was sure it was Ivy. Ivy Smith was one of the Registered Nurses who often worked my shifts with me. She’d staked some claim on me amongst the other women who worked here. Aside from friendly conversation, I wouldn’t give Ivy any dick. I tried not to sleep with the women I worked with. Meaningless sex could be found walking down the aisle at the grocery store. I had no reason to get it here.

She sidled beside me as I walked the corridor towards the locker room. She barely reached the top of my shoulder. She was tiny compared to my tall six-foot-five-inch stature. I was used to beingaround tall women. I had to admit that she always smelled edible; it was sweet and floral. It starkly contrasted the bleachy medicinal odor in the halls of every hospital known to man. It also reminded me that I missed the consistent company of a woman. I spent so much time on the streets, surrounded by nothing but niggas, that I appreciated coming home to Tayla. She refused to take her ass to her own home. Why she’d been crossing my mind recently was fucking with me. If I were being honest, she never stopped. However, this was the second time today.

“Brice,” she said. I turned my head to give her a deadpan expression.

“Nurse Smith,” I returned sternly. She stared back into my eyes, batting her lashes.

“Dr. Washington,” she said again seductively. I laughed and shook my head, continuing into the locker room and heading to mine. It was a small locker room, utilizing every inch of space to fit two double-stacked rows of lockers and a bed for overnight shifts. For that reason, it was the only room with a lock. We all had a key, but if it was locked, it typically alerted us that someone was sleeping and not to be bothered. The bench between the lockers also left little room for movement. Ivy took advantage by standing beside me, leaving my arms that brushed her body little room to move around.

Ivy thought that I had a kink for her calling me Dr. The truth was that I didn’t want anyone to get comfortable enough to call me my given name. It was a defense mechanism because my low level of trust also extended to her.

Ivy was beautiful, I had to admit. She was stacked and curvy in all the right places. I covertly stole a glance to appreciate how she filled out the top and bottom of the mint green scrubs she wore.

Damn, Short Stack.

“Can we have lunch together later?” she asked. I continued taking out my lab coat and throwing it on, along with my stethoscope. Then I fished out my pen and notepad, placing them in the pocket. Once satisfied that I had all I needed, I put my bag inside the locker and closed it, spinning the combination.

“How many patients are on the floor tonight?” I said as I began walking back to the nurse’s station at the back. Once I reached it, I slid one of the rolling computer carts to me and logged in to see for myself.

“Five right now,” she said as I confirmed.

Trust issues

I had also purposely ignored her question because Ivy was forward, and no matter what I said, she would take her lunch and sit with me regardless. Usually, I would be turned on by that behavior, but more recently, it wasn’t doing it for me. However, I craved a woman’s company tonight and would take it from her since she was willing to give it.

“Come on, Short Stack, let’s begin our rounds,” I said, and she returned her megawatt smile. I internally cursed myself for often blurting out whatever was on my mind.

Damn it, Brice. Shit, I can’t put that toothpaste back in the tube.

It was the first sign I’d given her that a chip was in the ice wall I’d built. I was desperate to feel any semblance of what I had before.I didn’t want or intend to lead her on in any way. I could only hope the rest of the night went by without me entirely giving in to my recent yearnings.

CHAPTER 3

Tayla

Istood in the nursery doorway at A Child’s Haven, observing Angie as she gently laid one of the babies down for a nap. I was currently making my rounds. She was moving them all from their bouncers to their respective cribs.

“He’s such a good baby. He hardly ever cries,” she said, smiling and looking where I stood. I smiled in return as she placed him in his crib before moving on to the next.

“I think you may have it the easiest out of all the teachers and aides here.”

“Tsk. You say that until all six cry simultaneously, and then three or four have blowouts. Then that’s when I start gagging because explain to me how the poop got up to their necks. Just throw the whole baby away,” she jokingly said and laughed.

I smiled as I gazed into the room. Unlike the other rooms, which were filled with vibrant rainbow colors, this one was filled with light browns and tans accented with pastels. Cute infantversions replaced the typical photo-realistic painted murals of animals. Calming classical music came from the classroom’s speakers, adding to the room's serenity. It was so calming that I lost myself in thought.

My mind drifted to everything I wished could be different about my current situation. There were so many things I wanted to tell Brice and Jourdan before everything went to hell.

Why did you hold on to all those secrets, Tay? They didn’t trust you, that’s why.

My plan was still on track, but it wasn’t progressing as quickly as I had hoped. There were so many moving parts that I wasn’t sure I could bring them all together. I’d go so far into my mind that I didn’t notice when a hand was placed on my shoulder. I jumped at the feel.

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