Ruth squeezes my hand. She seems worried, like she’s recalling how awful Dr. Mullins is. I wonder how hard I would have to push to have Dr. Nelson take over her case. Do I have any weight here, being a temp nurse?
“I’ll be with you every step of the way,” I say softly. “I promise.”
Her smile clearly costs her. “Don’t let him scare you.”
“Oh, I’m not scared of him,” I say. I’m used to jerks like him. There’s one in every hospital.I’m scared of losing you.Ruth has been one of my favorite patients here.
Two orderlies come for Ruth sooner than I’m ready, all efficient movements and clipped words. Like they’ve been working together for years. Ruth’s chart is signed off, her wristband checked, then they start to wheel her away.
Ruth’s hand searches the air, and I grab it without thinking.
“I’ll see you after, alright?” I’m not sure she can even see me without her glasses. “We’ll watch some Golden Girls later.”
Her sedated smile is comical. “You better.”
I follow them as far as I can, then head back to the nurse’s station and sink into the nearest chair. It feels wrong to sit, like I should be doing something, but my legs don’t want to hold me anymore. Missing Jordan’s call last night, not being able to talk to him today, and now seeing Ruth? It’s a bit much.
I pull my phone out to text Jordan, but pause. Knowing him, he would be sleeping with his phone on now, and I don’t want to bother him. He needs rest too. Besides, I don’t even have answers. It might not be as bad as I fear with Ruth. I’m just scared.
“Please make it, Ruth,” I whisper.
23
JORDAN
For a Tuesday night, it’s busier than I expect. Nearly every table is packed, every booth is full, and groups have started to form in any available space.
“We gotta get some of these people outside,” I say to Declan as he passes.
“I was just thinking that. Yo, Vince!” Declan shouts to the bald guy by the door. When Vince doesn’t look, I stick two fingers between my teeth to whistle.
He turns.
Declan signals to the crowd then points toward the back door, using both hands as if rolling it up.
Vince understands, giving him a thumbs up.
“Is it just me, or is he a little off lately?” Piper asks, waiting to take a full tray out.
“Declan?”
“No. Vince.”
I glance back at the guy, but he’s already too deep into the crowd. “How so?”
“He seemed like he wasn’t feeling well last night, but when I asked him about it, he just waved it off. He’s been more tired than usual lately. Melody said she saw him leaning against the wall the other day. He’s never like that.”
I frown. That is strange. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Does Dec know?”
“I’ll mention it.”
“See that you do. Vince is not the kind of guy to ask for help.”
She raises her brows at me. “Like someone else we know, huh?”
Cheers erupt as Vince unrolls the back garage door to the large, shaded patio. It was our biggest, and—in my opinion—best part of the renovation, combining inner and outer seating areas when the weather is nice.
Half of the crowd instantly shifts toward the patio, making me breathe a sigh of relief.
