Page 30 of Thunder

“Because he’s our son, Kathleen and I told you to stay in Wincher!” Dad snaps, and his wife scoffs, a wife who adopted me, and I shake my head before looking at the door again.

Come on Scottie…

“All I’m saying is, the doctors are eating shit!” Kathleen complains, and Brit snaps, “Enough with the whining, Mama, or get out. It’s a hospital, not a hotel! They have other patients, for Christ’s sake, and like Dad said, you could have stayed in Wincher!”

“Brittany,” Kathleen snaps just as the door finally opens and a smile automatically stretches across my face as I lock eyes with the dark blue ones I see in my sleep. I instantly relax but when Kathleen snaps, “Ah finally, a nurse!” gaining Scottie’s attention I tense and not just because I want it on me and only me but because Kathleen is being a fucking bitch.

“Mama, she’s not –”

Kathleen cuts Brit off and demands, “Turn your ass around and go get the doctor who is doing my son's surgery, because waiting this long is a joke!”

Scottie raises a brow at her before looking at Dad, who gives her a wince before she looks back at me. I give her a wink, causing her cheeks to heat, and Dad coughs to cover his chuckle.

She wants me but doesn’t want to admit it.

“How are you feeling?” my girl asks as she steps forward, grabs my chart, and opens it, and I watch her eyes move.

Fuck, I love how passionate she is about her job.

I open my mouth to basically say better now because if I’m honest, I’ve missed her, but Kathleen growls, “How dare you ignore me! Go and get me the doctor in charge right now and then your superior!”

“For god’s sake, Kathleen!” Dad snaps just as Dr. Thomas walks in but pauses, seeing the tension.

“What’s going on?” he asks, and I open my mouth to explain my so-called mother is being crazy but Kathleen, stupidly, jumps in, “What’s going on is that his surgery is supposed to be in two minutes and yet this nurse has only just come in to do her observations, and it is not acceptable!”

Dr. Thomas raises a brow at me as Scottie snorts, not bothering to hide it, and I roll my eyes and confirm, “A nurse called Tilly came and did my observations as soon as I arrived twenty minutes ago. She also gave me a warning not to take Dr. Aimes away from her or you.”

Scottie’s cheeks redden again, a color I fucking love on her, and Dr. Thomas chuckles, “Sounds about right for Tilly,” before he looks at Kathleen, who rightfully so looks embarrassed hearing that I’ve already been checked in. He states, “My club gave you a room and food, they welcomed you. My hospital is not even charging Thunder for this procedure and not because of the check you gave them behind your husband’s back but because of me and last time I checked Kathleen,” he checks his watch, “We are right on time, and furthermore, the next time you snap at my best resident, even better than Meghan who will also agree, I will have you escorted out!”

Kathleen looks away, and I lock eyes with Scottie again and smile wide.

“How’s Sammie doing?” I ask her, hoping to ease her tension, and it works as her whole fucking face lights up and I bite back a smile while Dad looks anywhere but at her, as well as Dr. Thomas.

Her nephew is my fucking way in, and they both know it.

“Who’s Sammie?” Kathleen demands to know, and Scottie answers professionally, “He’s my six-year-old nephew,” before she says to me, “And he is doing great, he spent the night with me last night, and he’s at Dad's tonight.”

“And how did your talk with your dad go?” I ask softly, and she softens further towards me.

I sensed the tension with her dad instantly, and considering I have that same tension with Kathleen, it didn’t take much for me to figure shit out, even without Dr. Thomas confirming it all.

“Surprisingly good,” she admits, making me smile. She says, “He was honest, and yes, it got tense for a moment when he admitted to paying off my student loans, but I felt a little closer with him. He also wants permission to find out your status after your surgery while my nephew is demanding to be allowed to come and see you.”

I grin and confirm, “The little trouble has taken a shine to me?”

She hums and answers, “He has,” and I melt slightly because that is a fucking honor.

“You have my permission,” I confirm, and her eyes soften before Dr. Thomas confirms, “You quit the convenience store, right?” and she rolls her eyes and admits, “I did, though Dino was not happy,” and I frown.

Who the fuck is Dino?

“Who’s Dino?” Brit asks for me, and Dr. Thomas answers, “The owner’s son who wanted Scottie,” and I scowl hard at that, causing Dr Thomas to grin wide, making me want to punch him, but he’s saved when my door opens again.

“Okay, Dr. Aimes, you ready for your first solo surgery?” Doc says as he walks in, and Scottie twists and looks at him in horror, which has me struggling to hold back my laughter.

Did I speak to my pres and doctor about Scottie having her first solo surgery without her knowing? Fuck yes!

I’d do anything for this woman, and I need her to see that.