Page 50 of This Time Around

“Damn it, how is everyone else doing?” I ask.

“Shaken up, mom’s a mess. So talk to them. They would probably love to know you came up to check on him.”

“Sorry, I actually have another patient I need to check on,” I lie in response, knowing I would fall apart if I talked to her. “I have to get going. Can you let them know I came by?” I turn and walk down the hallway, an undeniable pang in my chest.

When I reach the elevator and the doors open, it takes all of my strength to step inside, instantly leaning on the wall behind me. Staring at my feet, I reason with myself. It would have been impossible for me to save DJ. I didn’t know how. I did all I could to prepare Adam while he was in the ER so he can make a strong and successful recovery. Rational thoughts have to be my anchor.

The door dings and opens to the main lobby of the hospital. There is only one thing I need right now, a drink.

I walk to the bar where Blake used to work to get a quick drink, but when I walk in, there are a few guys from work playing darts and having drinks. They call me over the second they spot me.

“Luke,” I hear Jay yell across the bar, standing from the table by the dartboard.

“Hey,” I sit down next to him.

“You look like a pile of shit,” he laughs. “Be back in a sec.” He scurries away to talk to a brunette he was clearly eyeing around me.

“Did you just get off?” A voice behind me says. I turn and see Ty.

“No, I worked late last night, just stopped by to check on one of my patients.”

“Yeah, I came in this morning. They said it was pretty bad last night.” He says, just standing there.

“It’s early. I’m surprised you’re already off. Do you want to sit down?”

“No, I’m good. I just had some paperwork to do today. I wasn’t technically working.” He looks around the bar uncomfortably, “I’m meeting-”

“Hey stranger,” Isa nudges my hand as she slides into the chair across from me.

“Isa,” Ty continues with a suspicious smile.

“You said no one else wanted to meet up tonight,” she looks right at Ty.

“Luke never responded to my text, and Keith said he was out,” he says, making a weird ass face at me.

“Well then, I’ll go get us a round,” Isa offers, standing from her seat, and Ty gets up quickly to join her at the bar. As I watch them walk away, I look at my texts to confirm I’m not crazy. Ty never texted me.

Hmmm.

“Beers all around, but I got you a whisky as well. You look like you could use something a little stronger.” Ty hands me two glasses.

“Yeah, the last 24 hours have been a motherfucker.” I opt for the amber liquid first.

I close my eyes, taking the shot and letting the warm burn from the whisky fill my body as it traces the path down my throat to my stomach, offering a sense of relief I have been chasing all day. There is just something about the burn from whisky that is therapeutic to me, a relief nothing else can offer. Without hesitation, I grab the glass of beer and chug it too, disappointed by the cool crisp sensation as it extinguishes the burn. The relief is not the same, so when I go to the bar to order the next round, I make mine a double.

“Luke, you should probably drink some water,” Ty proposes, handing me a glass.

“It’s just, it makes the burn away,” I respond, knowing the words tangle in my throat.

“Isa, grab his phone and call Blake. He can’t drive,” Ty gently instructs, refilling the glass of water I just chugged.

“Hey doll,” I can barely hear what Isa is saying with her back turned to me. “We’re with Luke at the bar and he can’t drive. He really needs to get out of here.” There is a long pause, followed by a few nods and mumbles. “Yep… ok. Sounds good. See you in a few.”

She hands me my phone and orders some fries. “I think you could use some food,” she firmly recommends.

When the fries come, I inhale them, feeling like I haven’t eaten in days. I barely take a breath between bites. I look up to grab my water and see a flash of red hair come through the door.

B, my girl. There she is.