Page 21 of Asystole

“SO HAVE I! We’re in the same program, Jackson!” I’m not a yeller. The fact that I’m losing my absolute shit right now is a testament to how bad things are between my roommate and me. He’s pushed me to my limits, and I’m so fucking done. “I’m writing to the housing board and asking them to find you another place to live,” I tell him.

“No, please don’t do that. I’ll get it together,” he says, finally sounding fully awake. “Please. I need to be able to stay here,” he panics.

Finding affordable housing close to the hospital is next to impossible, and as Sarah recently reminded me, the waitlist is two years long.

“Fine,” I relent. “But clean this place up and buy me more eggs.”

I turn on my heel and head to the hospital as my stomach growls.

By the time lunch rolls around, I’m so fucking hungry I can barely see straight. I pull my phone out of my pocket to see if Logan wants to meet me in the cafeteria for lunch.

We’ve texted and sent a few memes since going climbing a couple weeks ago, and I know he’s working today.

But when I pull my phone from my scrub pocket and open my conversation with Logan, the bubbles tell me he’s already typing.

Logan

Any chance you’re free tonight?

Chase

Hey man, I was just about to text you. Want to grab lunch?

Logan

I actually just got back with the chopper. Still have a shitload of paperwork.

I must have missed the arrival announcement because the intercom doesn’t play in the operating rooms. It’s too distracting, and no one working on an active case is ever assigned to the inbound chopper.

Chase

Okay, that’s cool. Tonight sounds good. I have to attend a dinner with a drug rep, but I can swing by around 9?

Logan

Yeah, that’s cool. I was actually wondering if I could get your help with something.

Chase

Sure, what’s up?

Logan

I’ll explain tonight. My place?

Chase

Sure.

Logan sends a thumbs-up emoji, and I spend all afternoon wondering what Logan could possibly need help with.

Then a thought hits me, and I’m probably way too excited about it.

Maybe he’s going to take me up on my offer to play wingman!

Oddly, I miss doing it for Hanlon. Dudes are so funny. They all seem to think women are more jealous, but a guy’s reaction to me rubbing up on the man he wants to take home? Fucking priceless. I’ve been screened on a dance floor like it was a fucking NBA court all because this guy wanted the chance to talk to Hanlon. When Mr. Determined’s wingman acted interested in me to keep me occupied, I couldn’t help but laugh and explain the situation.

He didn’t have to pretend for my benefit. I was hoping his buddy would leave with mine. Turns out, the screening-master was also straight, and after our friends left to become more acquainted, he and I shared a beer and another dance just for the hell of it.