Bad Ideas (First & Forever 4)

“I saw the schedule for the remainder of December. You’ve been picking up shifts left and right so your coworkers can take time off for the holidays.”

“Well, yeah,” I said, “but they all have families, so—”

“You do, too. I’ve heard you talk about your brother. Just because you’re single doesn’t mean your time is less valuable than that of married people with kids.”

I broke eye contact as I admitted, “My brother is actually the reason I want to keep busy this holiday season, him and my best friend.”

When I glanced at Theo, he was studying me closely. “Are they a couple?” I nodded, and he asked, “Is this a recent development?”

“They got together in October.”

“And you’re jealous.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” I muttered. “It was the three of us for such a long time. I know they’re perfect together. In fact, I’ve never seen two people more in love. But now I’m the third wheel, and I feel like they don’t need me anymore.”

He thought about that before asking, “That’s a big thing with you, isn’t it? Feeling needed? It’s probably why you chose your profession.”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Like I said, the whole thing’s complicated. And lately, I’ve found it’s easier to just bury myself with work, instead of spending a bunch of time with the two of them. Not that I’m totally blowing them off or anything. Just because I’m feeling sorry for myself doesn’t mean I want to ruin my relationship with either of them. Seth and Eden are two of the most important people in my life.”

Theo nodded. “It’s good you’re not letting this damage your relationship with your brother. That’s an irreplaceable bond.”

“Sounds like you have a brother, too.”

The sudden flash of pain in his eyes was so intense that it startled me. I’d clearly stumbled across an incredibly sensitive subject. In the next moment, I could practically see the walls as he pulled them back up between us.

He lowered his gaze and returned the lid to the takeout container. Then he murmured, “Thank you for dinner. I really wish you’d stop doing things for me, but I appreciate the thought behind it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have several case studies to review this evening.”

As much as I wanted to stay and comfort him, he clearly didn’t want that. He definitely didn’t want to talk about whatever was behind that pain, either. All I could do was give him the space he’d asked for, so I picked up my things and headed to the door. My heart ached for him as I left him alone in his office.

The next day, I came in early for Oscar’s birthday party. I’d brought in so much stuff that I had to borrow a rolling cart to hold it all. When I reached the open door to room two-twelve, I saw Theo seated at the boy’s bedside, actually having a conversation with him.

A terrible thought occurred to me, and I parked the cart off to the side in the hallway and rushed to the nurse’s station. An annoying doctor named Chad Cunningham was right in my way, boasting about his new sports car to one of the nurses, who tried to look interested. I stepped around them so I could get to Darice, who was seated at the desk, and I asked her, “Is Oscar Harris’s mom okay?”

“As far as I know, her condition is unchanged. Why do you ask?”

“Could you check, please?”

She clicked the keyboard a few times, then read something on the monitor and said, “Donna Harris is stable but still hasn’t regained consciousness. Did you hear something different?”

I exhaled with relief. “No. I went to Oscar’s room and saw Doctor Koenig sitting down and having a conversation with him. I’d never seen him talking with a patient like that, so I thought maybe he was giving Oscar bad news.”

“Oh, I see. I was surprised the first time I saw him do that too, but he’s actually been spending a lot of time with Oscar, just like you do. I’m not sure what they talk about, but the kid seems to enjoy it. I guess Koenig feels sorry for the boy, since there’s nobody to visit him.”

“That’s so…human.”

Darice chuckled at that as she swept her long braids behind her shoulder. “Yeah, go figure. Koenig seems to be thawing in other ways too, and rumor has it you have something to do with that.”

It was all I could do to maintain a poker face. “What did I allegedly do?”

She lowered her voice, even though the other nurse and the doctor had moved down the hall. “Someone said they saw you bringing Koenig dinner last night, so there’s some speculation that you two are secretly a couple. Is there something I should know?”

Oh, hell. I should have known the totally overactive rumor mill in this place would sniff out some gossip. I answered calmly, “I’ve been making an effort to get to know Koenig these past few days. It seemed like he could use a friend, since he’s always by himself.” That was actually the truth, even if it was only part of the story.