Page 42 of Healing Hearts
Once she leaves, I lean back in my chair, my mind racing with different ideas. There has got to be a solution - one that doesn't involve compromising patient care, but right now, I'm at a loss.
A familiar voice cuts through my brooding. "Well, well, if it isn't the man of the hour. Looking chipper today, my friend."
I look up to see Parker sliding into the seat across from me where Dr. Chen had just vacated, a grin playing on his lips. His warm brown eyes dance with amusement.
"Chipper? After that debacle this morning in the OR?" I scoff but can't help returning his smile. "I’m anything, but chipper. You're just delusional."
Parker leans in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Oh, come on. You saved the patient, didn’t you? And you can't foolme. There's been something different about you lately. Or is it a certainsomeone?"
I feel heat creep up my neck. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't," he chuckles. "It wouldn't have anything to do with a certain librarian, would it?"
I'm about to retort when our pagers suddenly blare to life, cutting through the cafeteria chatter. My heart rate spikes as I read the message.
"Multi-car pileup on the highway," I say, locking eyes with Parker. "Multiple rescue trucks incoming."
“Let’s go.” Parker says as we're on our feet in an instant, all traces of lightheartedness and our conversation gone.
We sprint towards the ER, adrenaline surging through my veins. This is what I live for – the rush, the challenge, the chance to make a difference. Some call it being an adrenaline junkie – I just call it my call of duty.
Dodging nurses, patients, visitors, and orderlies, Parker and I fly down the stairs, clearing three flights in record time and cross through the x-ray department approaching the emergency room doors.
"You ready for this?" Parker calls as we burst into the ER, instantly surrounded by chaos.
I nod, my mind already shifting into trauma mode. "Born ready."
Hours later, I stumble out of the OR, my body exhausted with the exertion of multiple surgeries today. I’ve been on my feet most of the day, but despite the exhaustion, there's a familiar surge of satisfaction coursing through me. We saved lives today. A lot of lives and every grueling minute was worth it.Today is the type of day a trauma surgeon lives for. One where you fight the Grim Reaper and win.
I’m making my way down the quiet hallway to finally go home for the day, my thoughts drift to Brooke and I wonder what her day has been like. I had to cancel dinner tonight with her, but of course she understood.
For the first time in years, I feel a desire to share every aspect of my life with someone…with her. Not just the polished, presentable parts, but all of it – the long hours, the adrenaline rush, even the crushing defeats. Beyond that, I want her to know about my passion for music, my love for my old Mustang...justeverything.
I push through the doors to the parking lot, the cool night air a welcomed relief. That's when I hear her and my stomach drops. I just don’t have the energy to deal with her right now.
"Trevor!" Vivian's voice cuts through the darkness, sharp and angry.
I turn to see her striding towards me, her face twisted in fury as her black ponytail swings back and forth with her stride. "What the hell was that earlier? You can't just kick me out of the operating room like I'm some incompetent intern! What right do you have to embarrass me in front of my coworkers like that?"
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice level. "Vivian, you know why. Your presence is disruptive, and I can't afford distractions during critical procedures. Fuck, you dropped the entire sterile field of instruments. An intern would not do that!"
She scoffs, tossing her hair. "Disruptive? Please. I'm one of the best nurses you've ever worked with, and you know it."
"That's not true nor the point," I say, feeling my patience wearing thin. If she wants this fight now, then let’s do it. "What I want to know is, why are you even here in Hibiscus Harbor? Why choose to work at this hospital, of all the hospitals in thecountry, as a traveling nurse when you knew I live and work here?"
Her eyes narrow, a mix of hurt and defiance flashing across her face. "Why do you think, Trevor? To be with you. You can't just push me away like this. We have history."
I shake my head, bewildered. "I don't understand, Vivian. When we broke up, you were all set to quit nursing. You were making more money with your blogging and influencer gigs. What happened to that plan? Why come back to nursing? Why now?"
A sardonic smile plays at her lips. "Oh, Trevor. You really don't get it, do you?" She takes a step closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "It's because of you. All of it is because of you."
My heart races, but not in the way it used to when we were together. Now, it's anxiety coursing through my veins. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?"
"I want us to get back together," Vivian says, her eyes boring into mine. "I love you, Trevor. I always have. We were good together and we never should have ended things between us."
I take an involuntary step back, my mind reeling. "Vivian, that's not?—"
She cuts me off, her words. "I still do the blogging and influencing, but nursing... it lets me work with you. Don't you see? We can be together all the time, now. Just like we used to be."
