Oh God!I can’t think about underwear right now, nor can I think about whether he wears any.
How did I even end up thinking about underwear?
He looks at me, one eyebrow raised, waiting for me to say something.
“Do you really care?”I ask doubtfully, afraid his question is just another way to mess with me.
“Of course.Your world has always fascinated me.”
“Oh.”I open my eyes and mouth wide.“I wouldn’t have thought so.”
“Why?Do I look like an idiot, all muscles and no brains?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you think so.”
“I’m not thinking anything.I don’t even know you.For all I know, under those ten kilos of pecs, you could be some nerd with glasses and an asthma inhaler in your pocket.”
Did I seriously just mention his pecs?
He looks at me, amused.“I don’t have asthma, and I can see perfectly well,” he says confidently.
“You don’t have to ask me questions about my job.I mean, you don’t have to be nice.”
“I told you I’m interested.”
His voice drops a tone.I won’t get through this first meeting if he talks to me like that.
“I’ve always wondered what drives someone to choose such a path.Is it a vocation, like when Jesus appears to you in a dream and tells you to become a priest?”
I burst out laughing involuntarily, but he doesn’t take it badly; in fact, he smirks at his own bullshit.
Well, I suppose that when you’re Jamie Murray,The Captain, you’re allowed to say whatever you want.No one is likely to call you out on it, especially since everyone is too busy admiring your muscles and abs or getting lost in the striking blue of your eyes.But if you look closely, you can see a hint of grey branching off from the pupil, gradually fading into the most transparent blue I’ve ever seen — a blue tending towards crystal clear.
“So this is how it happens?”
“Not quite,” I say, sparing him the full, forensic analysis of the colour of his eyes.
My son is right: I am an unprecedented loser.
“It’s not really a calling or a vocation.At least not for me.Let’s just say I always knew.I never had any interests outside of medicine.By the time I was fourteen, I was certain of my future, and I worked hard to achieve that goal.”
“And you only focused on that?”
“Yeah,” I say with a sigh.“And now I’m the boring Doctor Dickhead.”
I know they call me that.I’m pretty sure that charming little nickname started with my dear friend Ryan.
At first, it bothered me, but then I realised it’s just part of the game.Ryan can’t stand me, and I don’t think he’ll ever accept me in his life, especially since Chris and I are very good friends.He feels threatened by our relationship.I also suspect he doesn’t fancy the idea of me being Evan’s father, or maybe he just can’t accept that I exist at all.There’s nothing I can do about that.I am here, and I will continue to be present in my son’s and Christine’s lives, whether Ryan likes it or not.He can call me whatever names he wants.
“I don’t think you are boring.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s just that most people can’t see it through.”
“And do you?”
