3. Alexander

3

ALEXANDER

I t was 4 am and I just couldn't settle back to sleep as I stared up, in the darkness, at the blank ceiling and the slight flash of light from the street lamp outside cracking through the, not fully closed, blinds. I was just lying here waiting for the dawn to crack for the day ahead, and for the streetlights to turn off. The thought that at any moment the sunlight would be creeping in through that blind and would force me to get up and prepare for the day ahead made me want to groan and roll over, throwing the covers back over my naked form. I knew I couldn't though as today was the day I'd been waiting for since I'd moved here.

It was the first day at my new job and the one thing I could have done with was being well rested. It just wasn't to be.

I hadn't slept well since moving here actually, but that was beside the point. I was used to the loud noises and hustle and bustle of the busy streets surrounding me at any given hour, but here all I dealt with was silence. It was as if no one knew how to make a sound or stay out late and make a spectacle after one too many beers. Maybe it was just that everyone respected each other's privacy.

It made me question though where the fun and laughter was in it all?

Or was it that deep down I just missed the company of my family being nearby?

Who am I kidding?

The fact that I still had that guy from the restroom on my mind was screwing with my head. Why did I sneak out? I could have had him potentially sharing my bed last night and I just acted like a fool. The way Lewis spoke my name with such control and passion made my balls explode on command. He'd screwed me over good and proper and now I was the guy that was fucked. No one had done that to me before. I normally just shrugged them off and looked for the next conquest. Someone to take the need away when the urge arose—who didn't want any of the commitment.

I mean Tess always warned me that one day a guy would eventually screw with my conscience and become my obsession—I just hoped that she was completely wrong. That this Lewis wasn't him.

"All ready for your first day?" Nurse… I glanced down at her name badge quickly before running my fingers through my dark brown hair and smiling hoping that she didn't notice. Lovett. How am I going to remember that? It begins with a L… like Lewis… "Dr St. James?" she asked again.

"Sorry," I replied, flashing her my killer smile in the hope it would appease her and my lack of attention to her. I didn't mean to act like an arrogant ass to her in the slightest at all, if anything the more people I could get to know the better. I mean the nurses are the heart of any hospital—any doctor knows that and getting on the wrong side of one of them can cause you some real issues. That's the last thing I needed especially as the new guy around the place. "I didn't mean to ignore you there, just my mind… Anyway, let's start the day off again, shall we?" I uttered at her. "I'm ready and raring to start the day ahead. Who do I need to see about my morning list of patients and files?"

"Don't worry about a thing," Nurse Lovett replied, "you have me, and I've been here long enough to know how to get the new guy into shape quick enough. Just say I'm part of the furnishings."

"Never, you could keep any of those nurses on their toes all day long, I bet," I whispered as she chuckled, knowing exactly how to give the woman a boost in confidence. I mean who didn't need it every once in a while.

Nurse Lovett seemed like the woman I needed by my side every day for consultations as I took in my neatly stacked pile of folders for each patient, my morning schedule, a key card, which I assumed belonged to me, and a small little notebook with a folded piece of paper hanging out of the edge.

"Now I'll just take you down to your room and show you how to sign in," she uttered as she tapped her little notebook and winked. "I can drop all these files on your desk and let you get ready while I get us a hot drink and a pastry. How do you take your coffee, Dr St. James?"

"One sugar and just a dash of milk," I replied as I reached for the files, to have Nurse Lovett swat my hands and give me a sharp tutted tone and glare. "Nurse Lovett, do all the doctors fight with you, by any chance?" I chuckled as I followed by her side and listened to her directions of where everything was on our route to room two-hundred-and-eighty-nine before she allowed me to take the keycard to gain access.

"Quick learner," Nurse Lovett replied. "Not like some of the ones around here." She chuckled. "Now let's get you set up and I'll grab those drinks."

"I think we'll get along just great," I replied as Nurse Lovett smiled back at me.

"I'm certain of it," she replied as she held the door partly open. "You're going to fit right in here."

"That's all thanks to you," I admitted as I nodded my head at her. "You, Nurse Lovett, have made sure this transition smooth easy. My worries should never have existed."

"It's my job. I wouldn't have it any other way," she replied before shutting the door behind her.

But to me she was exceptionally good, and thoughtful. I knew I would be the talk of the town—an outsider—they could have pushed me away, but instead greeted me with open arms and that meant a lot to someone like me who took pride and care in family.

What a morning that was! Phew!

I glanced over at Nurse Lovett and saw her organized piles and details of what I'd asked her to compile for me.

"Time for some lunch and then round two," she uttered, with a big grin as I took a moment to gather myself after the rush of the morning. Hope Liberty Hospital may be a small hospital, in a small town, but trust me its patient list is vast. The amount of patients that us doctors see, even on an outpatient level, is pushed to its capacity whereas in the city it seemed much more of a calmer pace. "Trust me, it's all about routine and structure. If some of the doctors could be as structured and decisive with their treatment plans as you are then these lists would soon be under control."

"So, it's not just me imagining the strain here?" I asked as we walked out of the consulting office and closed the door before, I followed Nurse Lovett to her station as she placed all the files where they needed to be so the next steps could be taken that I'd requested. "It's like everyone is pushed hard."

"We are, but you seem to be taking it in your stride," she replied. "Our hospital here actually covers the nearby four towns over so…" Nurse Lovett let out a loud drawn-out breath. "Strained is one word for the days we spend here, but it definitely keeps us on our toes."

"It seems like it…" I chuckled as the realization of what she'd just said hit me. No wonder they needed so many doctors at hospitals like this in the small towns. "Well, I'm going to take this back to my room and prepare for the next set of patients," I replied as I grabbed my wrapped sandwich to go and glanced at Nurse Lovett. "Is there anything you need me to get you on the way?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks," she uttered in response. "Your files are in the section across from the one I took this morning's files from. I've already labeled them in preparation, but I could head back and…"

I placed my palm on her shoulder and shook my head to stop her in her tracks.

"Nurse Lovett, enjoy your lunch. I'm sure I can sort it out on my own," I whispered.

"But," she began as I shook my head again. "If you're sure?"

"I am," I replied, giving her a huge white pearly smile, as I straightened my stethoscope around my neck with one hand. "Enjoy the rest."

By the time I found my way back to the cardiology wing after getting out of the elevator on the wrong floor, I eventually found the files Nurse Lovett had described with my afternoon list neatly attached on top, before quickly making my way back to my designated room. At least that wasn't as hard a task to find —just down the corridor to the right and then one on the left—before counting down to the fourth door.

I reopened the door to my assigned room and placed the pile of files on the desk before taking a seat in my chair and looking at the list of patients for the afternoon clinic ahead.

I ran my palm down over my face and chuckled out loud when I read the first person's name on the list… Lewis.

It seemed that name just wanted to follow me and never let me escape no matter where I went.