Page 104 of Changing the Playbook
“Sorry, can’t confirm or deny.” I bite back a smile as both hockey players approach.
“We were just passing by,” Maine announces to our group, “and thought we’d check out the nursing scene. I’m considering a career change.”
“You faint at the sight of blood,” Mike points out.
“Details.” Maine’s attention shifts to the women. “Ladies, I’m Maine. You might remember my vocal stylings from karaoke night.”
“Oh my God, that was you singing ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’?” Keiko laughs. “That was terrible!”
“Memorably terrible,” Maine corrects with a wink. “It’s an important distinction.”
Meanwhile, Rook sidles up to Maya. “Your dress is very… red.”
“Your blazer appears to be shedding glitter,” Maya observes, rolling her eyes.
“It’s a conversation starter.” He plucks at a sequin. “Is it working?”
I drag Mike toward the bar. “You invited them?”
“Absolutely not. But Maine has a sixth sense for free food and potential chaos.”
“Your friends are…”
“Ridiculous? Embarrassing? Likely to steal medical equipment?”
“I was going to say refreshing.”
He looks genuinely surprised. “Really?”
“Mike, I spend most nights with people who can recite drug interactions for entertainment. Your friends are wonderfully normal in their abnormality.”
“No one’s ever called Maine wonderful anything.” He ladles punch into two cups. “Fair warning, though, he’s going to hit on everyone with a pulse.”
“Maya can handle him. She once made a guy cry using only medical terminology.”
Mike’s laugh draws Professor Mahoney’s attention. She approaches with the determined stride of someone who’s cornered fresh prey. My chest tightens, because she assigned the MS case study that triggered my panic attack and has been a little weird to me ever since.
“Ms. Pearson!” Her smile sharpens. “Lovely to see you here!”
“Professor Mahoney.” I force my lips into a smile. “This is Mike Altman.”
Her eyebrows climb. “I didn’t know you followed sports, Sophie…”
“I don’t.” The admission stings with that now-familiar guilt. “But I follow Mike.”
The words escape before I can censor them. Mike squeezes my hand gently while Professor Mahoney studies us with clinical intensity.
“You seem different lately, Sophie.”
My pulse accelerates. “I’ve been trying new stress management techniques.”
“Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. Your last case analysis showed real insight.”
She glides away to terrorize other students. I exhale slowly, not realizing I’d been holding my breath.
Mike’s thumb traces circles on my wrist. “You OK?”
“She noticed. That I’m different.”
