After a phenomenal college football career, Nathan signed with Florida to stay close to home, but when his mom got sick, his game suffered, and last season, they traded him to Los Angeles. A move he only agreed to because his mom lost her battle with breast cancer last fall.
His new teammates have been incredibly supportive and I’m thankful for that. He needs them. And I don’t think he realizes how much.
“I’ll tell them,” Nathan interrupts my thoughts. “But first, I can’t wait to see you. I’m counting down the days.”
“Me too.” I force a smile and hope that he hears it in my voice. “I better go. My shift’s about to start.”
“Okay, baby. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
He hangs up and I sink back into my seat, my eyes flashing to the clock on my dashboard. I’ve got fifteen minutes to get my shit together. It’s time for a pep talk.
I’m doing the right thing. Nathan loves me. I love him. I’m going to find work so fast that I’ll regret it, wishing I’d given myself more time off. They say change is as good as a holiday, right? And in California, it’ll feel like a vacation twenty-four seven. I’m ready. I’mready. Let’s go.
I bounce my shoulders and jump out of my car, giving her a pat before I walk away, glancing back at the hunk of junk longingly. Cars are surprisingly sentimental to me, particularly this one, and that little Honda has been with me through good times and bad. I hate the fact that I’m leaving her behind.
But I’ll say it over and over if I have to…change is as good as a holiday.
Taking a deep breath, I turn back toward the hospital I currently work in and release it slowly, willing the tension to leave me along with the carbon dioxide.
Four days.
Less than a week and I’m jobless. Yay for me.
“You’re here.” My friend Kayla greets me with an overexaggerated sigh the second I push through the doors to my ward. “It’s been a rough shift. I need to go home. But at the same time, I want to stay because I’m going to miss you.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. No. I’ll fill you in soon, but first… I’m desperate for some chocolate. Are you ready to begin or do you need a minute?” I glance down at my bag, then my watch and laugh.
I technically have ten minutes left before I’m due to start, but since I’m religiously early for every shift, they’re accustomed to my presence ahead of time. “You go. I’ll dump this quickly and see Billy at the desk.”
“Thank you.” She squeezes my arm, rushing off while I smile after her, only snapping into action when she disappears out of sight.I’m going to miss her too.
My boss, Billy, rubs his hands down his face as I approach before his weary eyes meet mine. With a wince, I rest my elbows on the high counter and flash him a tight-lipped grin. “I heard it’s been a rough twelve hours?”What am I walking in to?
“It has. But you’re here now. Are you starting or…”
“I’m starting.”
“Great, can you check on bed ten? I trust you not to get awestruck.”
“Awestruck?”
“You’ll see.” He bites back a soft smile while mine slips away.Okay then.
“Bed ten. I’m on it.” I’ve just made it to the end of the service desk when he calls out, beckoning me back over.
“As a heads-up, he’s under police guard.”
“He’s what?” My eyes widen as I panic. “Is he dangerous?”
“No, I assume it’s just protocol after what happened.”
“What happened?”
Billy schools his features before his eyes flash down the hall. “I’ll fill you in when you get back.”
