Page 20 of Hold Me Instead
Zachary shrugged. “He was awake this time. The kids got him to smile a bit.”
His friend nodded, then studied him for an extra moment, holding the silence. “Well, my shift starts soon, but we should go out tomorrow, grab a drink.”
“You work at the hospital today?”
“Yeah, at noon.”
Jordan was a full-time nurse at the children’s hospital but pulled a shift or two each week at his sister’s bar. He’d heard general stories about the kids Jordan treated, and honestly, it would weigh on Zachary to witness that constantly and then watch a bunch of adults piss life away.
“I don’t know how you do it, all the varied hours. It’s like a switch flipped when I hit my thirties—if I’m out til bar close, I’m hungover for two days. Just from being out late.”
“Mm, yeah. You prefer the five-days-a-week, morning-til-night routine.”
“Well.” Zachary scrubbed a hand through his hair.
Jordan shrugged. “Gives me a different sort of energy, I guess. Helps to be around adults and their messy shit for a change. Seriously though, it’d be good for you to get out a bit, not just with your niece and nephew.”
“Hey, they share candy with me.”
Jordan chuckled, and Zachary stood to get food for Maple. Sensing his intention, she wobbled into a sitting position, her face somehow innocent and youthful despite the spray of white around her eyes and nose.
“I uh…I’m gonna fill in for my dad,” Zachary said from the counter.
When he glanced over, Jordan was staring at him, eyebrows raised.
“I learned they’re pretty swamped and haven’t found someone to step in. Can’t have them cancel all those appointments.”
Jordan nodded slowly. “Do they know you were let go?”
Zachary cleared his throat. “No, not worth mentioning yet.”
“Sure.” He paused. “This is a temporary thing?”
Zachary set down Maple’s food, then shoved his hands into his pockets. “Of course it is.”
Jordan just nodded again.
“What?”
“Nothing. I think that’s great.”
Zachary shrugged. “Seemed like the right thing to do.” He shifted his feet, uneasy under his friend’s scrutiny.
“Well, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need.” Jordan held up his hand before Zachary could argue. “You know that. You and the old girl.” He nodded toward Maple.
She stared between them, panting happily, then returned to her food.
Zachary smiled and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “Thanks. Does it come with breakfast like this regularly?”
“In your dreams, man,” Jordan said as he slapped Zachary on the shoulder.
“Thanks for…all of this.”
“Anytime.” Jordan nodded. “Alright, I have shit to do before I clock in. Drinks tomorrow. You can fill me in.”
“I pretty much did.”
Jordan gave him one more look.
