“This is Jeff,” Kevin says. And the new guy finally snaps out of it and lets go of my hand. I hear Mer clear her throat and I pivot my body so she’s not behind me. I know better than tolet Meredith stand behind me. Always keep danger right out in front.
We grab a table toward the back of the bar and Meredith and Kevin flank me while Jeff lags behind. I turn to find him staring back at the door like he might bolt, but then his broad shoulders deflate, and he rounds the table to take the chair across from me.
“How was school?” Kevin asks me.
“Empty. Thank the lord,” I say, realizing too late how that might sound to the new guy. “I had a rough year,” I tell Jeff with a small smile.
He lifts his hands. “No need to explain. My sister’s a teacher,” Jeff says.
I like him already. Teacher relatives are automatic brownie points in my book. But he’s still watching me with that look—faintly surprised and fully amused. There must be something in my teeth. I tighten my lips.
“Kevin, he has a sister,” Mer says, swirling her bourbon. “Maybe you could break your epic dry spell. It’s such a waste that your last name is Johnson and you never use your?—"
“Meredith, try not to scare Jeff away,” I say, swatting her thigh.
“Too late,” Jeff says under his breath. Willing to engage in a pissing contest with Mer? I give him another brownie point.
“Speaking of dry spells,” Kevin starts, turning to Jeff, “tell the ladies that story you told me about that woman—from your residency.”
Jeff chokes on his beer. Sprays a little of it onto his scrubs. He shifts in his seat and looks everywhere but at me.
“I’m gonna grab some napkins,” Jeff says, retreating toward the bar.
Meredith immediately leans in, her voice low, but not low enough.
“Umm, is it just me or did Dr. Centerfold hold onto your handshake a little longer than socially acceptable?”
Kevin makes a sound and looks away.
“I’m just saying.” Mer lifts her brows. “Maybe someone’s hot for teacher.”
“Or maybe someone watches too much porn,” I respond. “Besides. He’s a doctor.”
“Right. Your rules. Do you have a rule that says ’I must die alone surrounded by felines’?” Mer asks.
Oooof. Can’t say that one doesn’t hit too close to home. I have a recurring nightmare about sinking in kitty litter like it’s quicksand. It’s the number one reason why I don’t get a cat. I take a big sip of my beer to cover my shiver and spill a little in the process. I already have a smear of red on my jeans from where a leaking pen attacked me while cleaning out a student’s forgotten pencil case. I take another long swig, trying to forget how sad it was clearing out my room with none of my colleagues or kids around. The school is so depressing when it’s empty—like a stuffed animal left behind on a playground. And though I didn’t want to face my colleagues yet, I miss the energy of being in session. And the laughter.
Jeff comes back to the table with a shot and another beer instead of napkins.
He’s barely in his seat before Kevin tries again.
“Jeff, tell the girls that story,” Kevin says, leaning toward me. “You’ll love this.” He nudges my arm. “Devon loves funny medical antics.”
I so do. It’s probably not something to be proud of, but I can’t get enough of the dumb shit that happens in the hospital. There’s something about the way the doctors take the most chaotic, ridiculous situations and create order and precision—my brain really likes that. It’s the same way I feel when Iplug a coordinate point into a linear equation and it comes out equivalent.
I wait for Jeff to entertain me, but the color has drained from his face. He shakes his head.
“No. I really shouldn’t. I don’t want to break patient confidentiality,” Jeff says, looking toward the exit again.
Kevin chuckles. “I think it’s a little late for that, man.”
Jeff lets out a long breath and looks up to the ceiling before giving me a sad look.
“It’s ok. Really. You don’t need to tell us,” I say. The guy looks miserable. “Kev, leave him alone. It must be a guy thing,” I say with my nose wrinkled in disgust.
“I promise, Jeff, you can’t offend Devon. And obviously, you can’t offend Meredith. They’ll love it,” Kevin insists.
“Do your best. I dare you,” Mer tells him. Her eyes glitter with the challenge.
