I raised my hands as I glanced over to see that the patient was in V-fib.
Blake was quick to act, ensuring the defibrillator pads were in place and secure before calling clear, then shocking the patient once. I continued CPR, then paused at his signal so he could shock the patient again. That cycle repeated one more time. When Blake called for epinephrine, I grabbed it from our code cart and administered it. He then maneuvered to the head of the bed and leaned over, tilting the man’s head back to extend his neck, and I stepped aside as the respiratory therapist moved in to help. I watched Blake intently as he grabbed the glidescope and began to intubate the patient.
My eyes were locked on his hands, watching the way he effortlessly guided the device and inserted the tube to advance the man’s airway as if it were second nature.
Blake quickly checked the placement with his stethoscope. “It’s good. Get X-Ray down here for a portable chest, and let’s get an EKG done,” he called out while securing the tube with tape. I already had the lab on its way, knowing he was going to order a full workup. While the patient was hooked up to the ventilator, he stood with his arms crossed, continuing to study the monitor, watching the man’s vitals begin to stabilize. Once he was comfortable with where the patient was at, he turned and looked at me. “Good work.”
Then he simplywalked away…like he didn’t just save a man’s life.
And he had no business being that goddamn sexy about it.
Marie was right. Iwasfucked. The second he walked into that break room, I never stood a chance.
After my twelve hours were up and the busy day had settled, I gave off my report, grabbed my things from my locker, said goodbye to Marie, who was stuck finishing up a last-minute admission, and headed out. When I stepped outside, I spotted Blake a few steps in front of me, making his way toward the employee parking lot.
I hesitated, but for only a moment. “Hey,” I said, quickening my steps to catch up.
He turned, and I swore I saw him tense slightly when he saw me, but he offered a polite nod and a small smile. “Hey.”
“You had an eventful first day back on the floor,” I said as we walked side by side.
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “I guess I did.”
“You fit right in with everyone.”
Blake nodded. “Seems like a good bunch of people. And you all work together really well, so that helps.”
We fell into a silence, one that was somewhere between comfortable and awkward, as we stepped into the employee parking lot and headed toward our cars. “Where are you parked?” he asked.
“There.” I pointed at the white Jeep Wrangler.
“Hm,” he hummed. “I’m right next to you.”
I eyed the black Jeep Rubicon and smiled. “I didn’t know you drove a Jeep.”
“I just got it not too long ago.”
My eyes scanned the dashboard behind his windshield before I looked at him again. “No ducks yet?”
His brow furrowed. “Come again?”
“Ducks,” I repeated with a chuckle, then gestured to my Jeep. The dashboard was lined with various rubber ducks of all colors and themes.
“Uh…” He let out a confused laugh. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
“You haven’t heard ofDuck, Duck, Jeep?”
“Nope,” he said, popping the ‘p’. “Can’t say that I have.”
“It’s a thing in the Jeep community. You leave rubber ducks on other Jeeps to spread a little kindness.”
“Ah,” he said with a nod. “Well, I guess you learn something new every day.”
“Hold on.”
I walked to my car and unlocked it, tossing my bag into the passenger seat before opening the back door, where I kept a small box of rubber ducks with tiny stethoscopes around their necks. That way, I always had some on hand. Was it ridiculous? Maybe a little. But I didn’t care.
I grabbed one of the ducks and shut the door before walking back to him, holding out my hand with it sitting in my palm. “There. Your very first duck.”
