“7 pm, sharp it is. I’ll sit right in that chair over there, waiting for you. I’ll keep my mouth shut the whole time.”
Her chin lifts half an inch. Testing. “The whole time?”
“I sit. I shut up. I wait.”
She watches my face, as if she is looking for the boy she accused me of being and the man I’m proving to her that I am.
“Go. Before I change my mind.”
I pull the door open a crack and pause.
“You’ll look after Em though, right?”
Her eyes flicker to him. Face softens.
“I will.”
The code blares again. This time, I throw open the door, and she runs underneath my arm. Sneakers squeaking as she takes off down the hall. I look after her until she runs out of sight, then look at Em. He’s still oblivious to the deals I’m making for her, for us, for the greater good.
“Don’t worry, bro. I’ll be back.”
CHAPTER 6
SOFIA
The code blues went on, and on. Saving two and losing one. It’s been a long, frustrating, and overall rough day. Sending the twin away was the easiest thing to do. Dealing with them in unison can be a little much. Today wasn’t the day for that. They can take it out of me. Together, they’re trouble.
Everyone can tell by looking at them. Muscular, handsome, way too much machismo for their young age. Still in college, from what I overheard. When my patient turned those tan eyes to me, the edges rimmed with dark chocolate, he seemed almost sweet. Then he opened his mouth, said vulgar stuff about my butt or lips, and the sweetness died.
It’s seven on the dot when my shift ends. I’m curious to see if my little papito obeyed.
My little papito.
What am I thinking?
One push through the door confirms it. The smell hits me first. My stomach growls. He did. Sitting in the chair by the window like a sinner waiting for mass, legs folded in, broad shoulders hunched down to fit into a space too small for him. A large brown bag is on the table next to him. The logo from some overpriced restaurant glares at me. The smell of richly brewed coffee sneaks up my nose, probably from another fancy place.
As agreed, he doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. Just watches like he’s starving and not for food. I pretend the monitor needs my full attention. Numbers are steady. My patient, just like his twin, is strangely silent. I’d blame it on some inner telepathic communication that some twins have. But with the guy in my bed, I doubt he has it. His mouth kills any inner thoughts. I waste time charting a note. My gaze looks at the bag.
He nods toward it. Still obeying the silent order but leaning forward. Waiting for me.
“Bro, if she doesn’t want it, I do.”
Emilio groans from the bed, tapping his tray, which holds his own hospital food. His grin is reckless, his ribs angry at the effort. For his part, he glares at his brother. My patient groans again, more frustrated. His lower lip juts out. Looking more pitiful than Paco.
“They’re starving me in here. Broth. Fucking jello and some shit they call mashed potatoes and gravy. Trust me, it’s not,” Emilio whines from the bed, stabbing his fork into the hospital tray. “Then this dickwad comes in with real food and doesn’t even share. That’s cruel and unusual punishment.”
He groans when his ribs protest, and he falls silent when I raise an eyebrow at him. My eyes swing back to his brother, who still hasn’t said a word. His chest rises, falls. Matching tan eyes glued on me. It’s sort of endearing. When I finally nod, giving him permission. He exhales like it costs him his life and dives for the bag.
“Black coffee. Exactly how you like it.”
He pulls out the covered cup, steam seeping from the tiny hole. Then places it on the table beside the bag.
“Ugh, who drinks black coffee. That’s the worst. I need mine with a gallon of milk, some creamer, and hold the coffee,” the nene grumbles and picks at a piece of hard cornbread.
Yeah, the patient’s food isn’t that great. The comment goes unnoticed by Massimo. He starts pulling out container after container. Far too much for what I eat. Usually, it’s a sandwich and a bag of chips if I’m lucky. If the shift is calm. That rarely happens. Mostly it’s a protein bar.
“Grilled chicken with lime. Black beans and rice. Sweet plantains, still warm.”
